Sleep Apnea - The Facts About This Important Sleep Disorder
By Leonard Mutch
Sleep apnea is a common problem in the adult population, and
is characterised by a reduction or stoppage of breathing when someone is
asleep.
There are 2 main types - obstructive (which is more common) and central,but
also a mixed type which is a combination of both obstructive and central.
Treatment for sleep apnea can be nonsurgical or surgical.
What is apnea? In layman's terms it means that someone has stopped breathing
for about 10 seconds or perhaps more. These episodes of apnea have a tendency to
occur more often when a person is asleep, thus disrupting the sleep, and often
wakening the sleeper up.
Doctors use various indexes which measure the severity of the sleep apnea to
decide on their treatment options.
What causes sleep apnea? In the case of central sleep apnea it happens when
the brain fails to send signals to the respiratory muscles. This is most common
in babies, and in adults with heart problems, but can also be caused by some
medicines.
In obstructive sleep apnea the message from the brain to the
respiratory muscles gets through but breathing fails through an obstruction
preventing the flow of air.
Mixed sleep apnea is caused by a combination of these failures.
Obstructive sleep apnea affects more men than women,and is more common and
has increased severity in obese people.
What are the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea? Not only does it disrupt
sleep, it also causes heart problems and high blood pressure, and increased risk
of stroke. Sufferers are also more likley no have accidents at work and on the
road through lack of concentration related to not getting enough sleep.
How is obstructive sleep apnea treated? There are several non surgical
options varying from behavioral changes to medications and dental
appliances.
Behavioral changes may simply involve getting the sufferer to change their
sleeping position, as most apneas seem to occur whilst sleeping on the back. A
change in diet and lifestyle with consequent reduction in obesity can also
markedly reduce the severity of symptoms. However, these changes are easier to
talk about than to implement.
Dental appliances are sometimes used for mild cases of obstructive sleep
apnea - these work by holding the jaw and tongue forward and the palate up to
prevent airway closure.
One of the best non surgical treatments is called CPAP or continuous positive
airway pressure. This is a machine which delivers heated and humidified air
under pressure through a mask to the sufferer whilst they sleep. The machine is
light and portable, and most people quickly get used to the noise the machine
makes, and to wearing a mask.
Surgical options for obstructive sleep apnea include palate implants,
reducing the size of the tongue, procedures on the jaws, and surgery of the
nasal passages. Surgery should not be undertaken lightly because of the
underlying risks of anesthesia and complications from the surgery itself.
If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea or know anyone who does, then it
is important that you seek qualified medical advice as soon as possible.
Continuing your life without recourse to treatment leaves you open to much
higher risk of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and even sudden
death.
Seek specialist help today.
About the Author
Leonard Mutch writes extensively on medical and health related topics. Discover how you too can get the latest information on sleep disorder at his website. Go there now - http://www.sleepperfectsleep.com
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