Understanding and Treating Sleep Apnea
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea, affective millions of people each year. Essentially sleep apnea means that you top breathing temporarily while you are asleep. Your body wakes you up so that you can start to breath again, but then you fall asleep and it begins all over. The sleep apnea sufferer isn’t even aware this cycle is happening.
These apneas are brought about because the muscles in the back of the throat actually collapse and close off the airway. Symptoms while sleeping include very loud snoring, followed by silence then choking or gasping for air. Needless to say OSA sufferers do not have a very restful sleep.
Those who suffer from sleep apnea have a significantly lowered quality of life. They are extremely tired during the day and consequently less productive. They suffer from headaches and poor memory. Getting a good night’s sleep is critical to a healthy mind and body and sleep apnea robs you of that.
If you suspect you suffer form sleep apnea then you need to talk to your doctor immediately. It is a life threatening condition. You may not be getting enough oxygen, which can lead to stroke and heart disease. This is a problem that you need to take action on if you think you are afflicted.
Obesity is a frequent cause of obstructive sleep apnea however slender people can be affected as well. The excess fat in the neck can exacerbate the problem and contribute to the air passages closing. Physical deformities due to injury or birth defect can also lead to sleep apnea.
Most people who suffer from sleep apnea find relief with a CPAP machine These Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machines force a stream of air into the patients airways via a mask. This prevents the airway from closing up when the patient sleeps. The apparatus takes a little getting used to at first, but most find that the relief it brings far outweigh any inconveniences.
The health risks associated with untreated sleep apnea can not be overstated. It is very important that you go for a sleep study to obtain a conclusive diagnosis if you suspect you suffer from sleep apnea. Once it is known for sure, you and your doctor can explore the various sleep apnea cures and settle on one that is right for you.
January 25 2009 03:46 am | Health
