Troublesome Dizziness and Headache

I was diagnosed with hypertension about ten years ago. I often felt a tightness in the muscles of my neck while making deliveries, which would then lead to headaches. Sometimes I would suddenly feel dizzy while working standing up. After a doctor diagnosed me with high blood pressure, I started taking antihypertensive medication. My usual blood pressure was around 200 mmHg systolic and 120 mmHg diastolic. When I had headaches, my systolic blood pressure sometimes reached 250 mmHg.

Starting about five or six years ago, I began experiencing symptoms of arrhythmia, such as a sudden tightness in my chest and a sensation of my pulse stopping. Medication improved the chest tightness, but the sensation of my pulse stopping persisted. Because my heart condition was so unstable, doctors were unwilling to perform cataract surgery on me. As a result, the cataracts worsened until everything I saw appeared as if covered by a white film.

The Dentist's Recommendation

Around the end of 1999 (Heisei 11), a dentist friend told me, "There's a device that is very good for improving snoring," and recommended I try it. My snoring was very severe. Once, when I was hospitalized for dizziness, my roommate complained that my snoring was too loud and prevented her from sleeping, so I had to move to a private room.

After starting to use the Patakara, I used it for 2-3 minutes each time, morning, noon, and evening, and found additional times to use it, so I ended up using it about 5-6 times a day.  At first, the area around my mouth felt sore, but I got used to it after a while. When doing the Patakara exercises, I would prepare a towel because sometimes saliva would flow out.

High Blood Pressure and Arrhythmia Disappeared After Two Months

I started using the Patakara hoping to improve my snoring, but the first effects I noticed were actually on my arrhythmia and high blood pressure.  About two months after starting the Patakara exercises, I went back to the hospital for a routine check of my blood pressure and arrhythmia. The doctor told me that there was no more arrhythmia or hypertension and that I no longer needed medication. I also felt that even without medication, the chest pain and sensation of my pulse stopping did not recur. My blood pressure became around 130 mmHg systolic and 100 mmHg diastolic, and I no longer experienced headaches or dizziness. Because my blood pressure was well controlled, the doctor decided to perform cataract surgery.

The Number of Nighttime Trips to the Bathroom Decreased

My family told me that after about three months of use, my snoring sound had decreased significantly, and episodes of breathing cessation (apnea) no longer occurred. What surprised me the most was that I used to have to get up to use the bathroom 4-5 times every night, but now it was down to about 2 times.

My situation involved a mix of various symptoms. Doctors had said it was difficult to treat each symptom individually, but after using the Patakara, all the symptoms seemed to start improving. I will continue to use the Patakara to maintain the health I have thankfully regained.

Dr. Akihiro's Comments

Ms. Susaki's snoring was caused by the weakening of the tongue muscle group. When the tongue and the muscles supporting it weaken, the base of the tongue sinks into the airway while sleeping on one's back, causing the airway to narrow. This obstructs the inflow of air, making snoring likely. The Patakara exercises not only train the muscles around the mouth but also the tongue and the supporting muscle group inside the oral cavity. This strengthens lip closure force and prevents the base of the tongue from sinking during sleep, improving snoring.

Sleep apnea, like snoring, is caused by the base of the tongue sinking into the airway, leading to temporary pauses in breathing. Sleep apnea decreases blood oxygen levels and can become a cause of arrhythmia, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and stroke. Using the Patakara to prevent the tongue base from sinking can help avoid these risks.

In early March 2001 (Heisei 13), I met Ms. Susaki again after a long time. I remember when I first met her at the end of December 1999 (Heisei 11), her complexion was dark and lackluster, her face was puffy, her skin lacked elasticity, and her face made a very strong impression on me, like that of a deceased person. This time, I was surprised again: her complexion was completely different from before – it had improved, her skin was tighter, and she looked radiant overall.

She said she recently stopped needing to get up to use the bathroom at night and no longer wakes up with headaches. Her family told her they don't hear her snore at all anymore. She said with a smile, "Before, because of the palpitations, I would feel unwell after running less than three steps chasing my grandson, but now I can run 30 meters without any problem," which left a strong impression on me. Ms. Susaki, who suffered in the latter half of her life from various problems caused by sleep apnea, said calmly, "I never thought my body could recover to its current state of health."