EAR DR. DONOHUE: I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea. I have a very difficult time with the mask and air intake. I think I sleep less now, from fighting the hose from the machine and from the pressure of the mask on my face. No one tells me how to handle these problems. Any information you give will be appreciated. — K.P.

ANSWER: Apnea (AP-knee-uh) is a Greek word meaning “no breathing.” Sleep apnea is repeated episodes of no breathing during the night. Those episodes might be as few as five in an hour to as many as 15 or more. The usual story involves a snorer whose snoring increases in loudness until there’s an abrupt silence. The silence marks the onset of no breathing. Finally, the affected person grunts, and breathing resumes, as does the snoring.

Sleep apnea has significant health consequences. It raises blood pressure. It causes daytime sleepiness in dangerous situations, like driving. It promotes heart attacks and strokes.

The standard treatment is CPAP (pronounced “sea pap”), continuous positive airway pressure. It’s a machine that delivers pressurized air through a mask to keep the throat open so air can enter the lungs. Apnea spells are eliminated.

You’re not the only one to complain about the machine and mask. Many different delivery machines and many different masks are available. If you were tested in a sleep clinic, the people there can put you on to other apparatuses. Or the doctor who made the diagnosis can direct you to other equipment. A website that offers pictures of equipment can be found at www.directhomemedical.com. It’s not the only website. You also might try the National Sleep Foundation at www.sleepfoundation.org.

I know of no medicine to control sleep apnea. Other appliances might be helpful. One is a mandibular advancement splint that fits into the mouth to pull the lower jaw forward. That position of the jaw opens the throat so that air can pass through it easily.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 53-year-old male with elevated cholesterol. I’ve been taking Zocor for years. Are statin drugs really needed? I’ve been told that they are really bad for the body, and the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t want us to know the truth about them. Does red yeast rice help? — P.P.

ANSWER: Statins are needed if exercise, weight loss and diet don’t lower cholesterol. The truth of the matter is that most of our cholesterol comes from our own bodies. Our livers make it. Statins stop the liver’s production of it. They’re not bad. Every single medicine has the potential for side effects. Serious side effects from statins are not all that common, and they almost always go away when the drug is stopped. Truly, the FDA works for us. I take the same medicine as you.

Red yeast rice is white rice processed with a yeast that imparts red color to it. It does lower cholesterol and triglycerides. What causes the lowering are substances called monacolins, closely related to statin drugs. The problem is that you are never sure of how much monacolins are in a batch of red yeast rice. It varies with the manufacturer.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have elevated triglycerides. My doctor told me to use omega-3 oils. Is this good advice? — R.D.

ANSWER: Omega-3 fatty acids lower triglycerides by as much as 30 percent. The normal triglyceride reading ought to be below 150 mg/dl (1.7 mmol/L). Triglycerides are fats that circulate in the blood. They work in concert with cholesterol to plug arteries. Lowering triglycerides prevents heart attacks and strokes.

Other things that bring down triglycerides are weight loss, cutting back on saturated fats (found in meats and whole-fat dairy products) and reducing the amount of sugar used.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

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