Sleep Apnea Devices

Depending on the type of sleep apnea you have and your lifestyle, different devices may help. They include CPAP machines, sleep apnea devices, and stimulation devices. You can buy some of these devices over the counter. But you should see a healthcare provider or dentist who is trained in them to be sure they are comfortable and fitted correctly.

The most common device is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. This pumps a stream of pressurized air into your nose and mouth while you’re sleeping to keep the upper airway passages open. It prevents the collapse of the upper airway that occurs with obstructive sleep apnea, and it reduces or eliminates snoring. Several types of CPAP machines are available, including auto CPAP, bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP), and adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV).

Top Sleep Apnea Devices for a Better Night’s Sleep

Oral devices for obstructive sleep apnea work in various ways to prevent the tongue or throat from blocking the airways. They look like a retainer or gum guard and can be custom-fitted for you by a dentist. They can also be bought over the counter in a generic version, though some of these are only FDA-cleared for snoring reduction and not obstructive sleep apnea.

Stimulation devices — such as a tongue-positioning device or an anti-snoring mouthguard — work by stimulating the hypoglossal nerve to move the tongue forward. This can improve breathing in people with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who cannot use or tolerate a CPAP machine.

Online Pawn Services Could Challenge Brick-and-Mortar Pawn Shops

If you have valuable items you no longer want, pawning them to a pawn shop may be an option. It’s easy, fast and safe – and it doesn’t hurt your credit. But now, there are new options for people who don’t want to go in person. Online pawn services have emerged to offer consumers the convenience of turning personal possessions into instant cash.

Online pawn shops like Pawngo, ePawnMarket and Borro Luxury operate much the same way as traditional pawn shops but without the physical storefront. Customers use prepaid FedEx boxes to send in their items, the companies evaluate them and then make a cash loan offering, typically with an interest rate of three to six percent over three to six months. When the loan is paid back, the item is shipped back to the customer.

Online Pawn Services: How to Sell Valuables from Home

While pawnshops have long operated as a source of short-term loans for those with bad credit, the growing popularity of Online pawn services could challenge brick-and-mortar stores in the future. These new services are aimed at attracting customers who don’t feel comfortable walking into a store with a castoff wedding ring, camera or china platter in hand.

While some pawnshops have hesitated to work with these new online competitors, others are jumping at the chance. Todd Hill of Denver says his online service, Pawngo, has signed up 1,300 pawn shops and served 23,000 consumers in the past year and a half. Those consumers have negotiated the sale of more than $4.2 million worth of goods.