In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: For this recipe, you will need 2/3 cup of baking soda, 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, 1 to 2 teaspoons peppermint extract or other essential oil, and filtered water.  Sodium bicarbonate (commonly known as baking soda) polishes the teeth and eliminates bad breath eliminating acids and creating an alkaline pH. Another great advantage is that it is relatively inexpensive.  Salt acts as an abrasive that helps remove plaque. It also causes you to salivate, and saliva is nature’s method of protecting teeth. It also provides minerals that help protect your enamel, and this effect is increased when combined with baking soda. The essential oil is for taste. The water is for consistency. Make sure that the sea salt is mixed thoroughly with the baking soda. When you look closely at the mixture, you should not see clumps of sea salt among the baking soda, but rather the salt should be dispersed so that it is difficult to pick out from the baking soda. This can be accomplished using a fork or whisk, which will help break up any clumps of salt. Leaving big clumps of sea salt can be harmful when brushing, so make sure to mix everything together until it is the same consistency. Many people will choose peppermint or spearmint, since it is what they are used to. However, you can try other “flavors” too. Other essential oils commonly used include: lavender, which has shown to provide calming effects when used orally; orange, which has also been shown to reduce anxiety; and eucalyptus, which has antiseptic and antibacterial properties. These are all also used in dentistry for similar effects. Do this a few drops at a time, and stir well after each addition. You can make it as thick or thin as you like, but be aware that if it is too thin it will be difficult to keep it on the brush and it will get diluted faster by the saliva, making it difficult to brush your teeth. Essential oils should be stored in glass containers, so this is especially important if you have chosen to include oil. Store the paste near your toothbrush, out of direct sunlight in a cool dry place. You can dip your brush right into the paste if you wish, or you can use a small spoon to heap it onto your brush. Experiment with using different amounts. Start with a pea-sized drop, and add more if you don’t feel it is enough.
Summary: Collect your ingredients. Mix together 2/3 cup baking soda and 1 teaspoon sea salt. Add in a few drops of the essential oil of your choice. Begin mixing in the water. Store the toothpaste in a glass jar. Scoop a bit onto your brush.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: You might feel hurt or angry if your friends go MIA, but their behavior says more about them than it does about you. Your friends may not know what to say to you, or they might find it too difficult to see you suffering.  Seeing a friend come down with a chronic illness is hard for many people because it reminds them that anybody can get sick. People may disappear from your life because they don’t want to think about their own health and mortality. Some of your friends might feel awkward around you because they don’t know how to act anymore. If they’re afraid of saying something wrong, they might start avoiding you altogether. Also, some people inaccurately assume that you want space while you are coming to terms with your diagnosis. Particularly if you have been less present socially due to pain or illness. If a friend says something that hurts your feelings, don’t hesitate to tell them how it affects you. Putting a stop to tactless jokes right away will make your friends less likely to say similar things in the future. If your friend cares about you, they will apologize and speak more carefully next time.  Be direct. Say something like, “That’s pretty hurtful to me. I’d rather you didn’t joke about that.” Be aware that your friend is probably not being intentionally hurtful. They may be making a poor attempt at humor because they don’t know what to say. Not everyone will be capable of giving you the same degree of support, but don't let this keep you from asking. Just be understanding if they can't make something work. Don't assume they do not have time for you. If a friend can’t be there for you all the time but still makes an effort to keep in touch and help you out occasionally, let them know you appreciate them. You might say, "I know we used to spend more time together, and I'm not physically able to go out as much. I really appreciate how flexible you have been to still hang out with me."
Summary: Understand that your friends’ lack of support isn’t personal. Stand up for yourself when people say insensitive things. Revise your expectations.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: When you sleep overnight in a specialized sleep laboratory and get diagnosed with sleep apnea, the team of doctors will determine what the optimum average constant pressure is for you on your CPAP machine. The process by which they figure out the most appropriate air pressure is called a titration study. A titration study is done with a mask and air machine for the purposes of calibrating a CPAP machine to a level that stops your sleep apnea events.  The events are measured in a point system called an apnea hypopnea index. An index below five indicates no sleep apnea.  Mild OSA: AHI of 5-15. Involuntary sleepiness during activities that require little attention, such as watching TV or reading Moderate OSA: AHI of 15-30. Involuntary sleepiness during activities that require some attention, such as meetings or presentations. Severe OSA: AHI of more than 30. Involuntary sleepiness during activities that require more active attention, such as talking or driving.    Sleep clinics typically do not recommend that new CPAP users change their pressure settings until they've had their first sleep study and used the prescribed pressure settings for several weeks at minimum. While you are in the sleep lab, the doctor or sleep specialist may also: Measure your activity levels and movement as you sleep Record your brain activity, eye movements, blood pressure, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels Fine-tune the fit of your mask and the air pressure settings Doctors and manufacturers recommend that the air pressure settings of your CPAP machine be personalized for you by a medical professional based upon a titration study at a sleep clinic — you should then use those recommended settings for at least a few weeks to get used to them at night. If you think those initial settings need to be adjusted, you should contact your doctor or sleep clinic to have them checked. Adjustment of the air pressure settings may be necessary when:  You gain or lose weight You are extra tired You have had a few alcoholic drinks You are on prescribed sedatives You have sinus congestion You are using a different mask You are at a different altitude You have jet lag You change stages in your sleep cycle If you're considering changing your CPAP air pressure settings, the safer method is to upgrade from a constant-pressure machine to an auto-CPAP machine. These fully automated machines continually measure the air pressure needed to keep your airways open and then self-adjust on a regular basis according to your ongoing needs.  An auto-CPAP machine is likely the best long-term option, since your air pressure needs change day by day (and even hour by hour) as you sleep. A one-time titration study within a sleep clinic cannot account for various personal changes that impact air pressure needs, such as: what sleep stage you're in, sleeping position, what you eat / drink, your body weight, and various drugs you take. Auto-adjusting helps prevent you from swallowing air at times when your standard pressure is too high. Swallowing air can make people feel bloated and disrupt their sleep.
Summary:
Do an overnight sleep study. Consult with your doctor. Ask your doctor about an auto-adjusting CPAP.