Is it Sleep Apnea?
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Sleep apnea is a serious condition that one should look out for when they know that they are snorers. It can result in sleep-disordered breathing that can be very tragic to the patient and families if they do not acknowledge the problem and address it immediately. Complications of sleep apnea may include heart failure, increased blood pressure, and stroke.
So, how does one know if he or she has sleep apnea?
Most people when they snore, they breathe through their mouths. The sound of snoring comes from vibration in the air pathways when they are obstructed. Obstruction may come from the physical makeup of the body like having a large tongue that can narrow airways, collapsed and large throat tissues, or developed fat in that area caused by a bad lifestyle. Now, when there are pauses in the breathing during sleep that last up to five to ten seconds or even more, then one might have sleep apnea. These pauses will take place numerous times while sleeping. Excessive daytime sleepiness is another common characteristic of sleep apnea.
Are there different kinds of sleep apnea?
There are 3 kinds of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and the combination of both. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common, affecting up to 20% of the population. Obstructions in the throat narrow airways causing the person to take in less air and less oxygen. This Obstructive Sleep Apnea results in pauses in breathing during sleep. As the brain senses a decrease in blood oxygen levels, it sends out a signal to arouse the patient, causing them to snort or gasp for air. These episodes are often what wakes the bed partner, ultimately leading to medical attention, sincle both partners now have interupted sleep. In,Central sleep apnea however, the most significant difference would be the brain's signals for the body to breathe. In CSA or central sleep apnea, when pauses occur, the body doesn't respond and is not pushing to breathe. The brain's control for breathing malfunctions and fails to signal to resume breathing. If the brain was not able to recover what it designed to do, the consequences may be death.
How do I cure chronic snoring?
There are several kinds of sleep apnea solutions. For a permanent cure, there are various surgical options in appropriate candidates. One of these is called the maxillomandibular advancement. This process augments the airways that can help the individual breathe easily and take in more air. Some sleep apnea products are temporary in a sense that one needs to use them everyday to help them reduce and sometimes eliminate their snoring like mouth guards, nasal strips, and throat sprays. Stop snoring devices are almost constantly being introduced or modified to ensure their effectiveness. For those chronic snorers who do not have sleep apnea, or for some milder forms, there are more than 300 of these products available on the market, and often it is trial and error to see what works in any specific case, with the ultimate goal to snore no more. |
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Author Resource:-
The most common form of sleep-disordered breathing is obstructive sleep apnea, affecting 20% of the adult population. Major risk factors are obesity and diabetes. Although common, it still remains undiagnosed in up to 90% of those affected! Learn more about it at The Sleep Apnea Rx
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By :
Jessie Stone
Submitted
2010-10-27 22:41:12 |
Article From Article Mayhem
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