What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Is it associated with breathlessness and snoring while sleeping? What are the other symptoms? What causes Obstructive Sleep Apnea? What are the remedies easily available? Is the lack of adequate sleep/rest a factor?
Sleep Apnea is a common nighttime breathing disorder that affects more than 15 million Americans. Sleep apnea affects men and women of all ages; even children can suffer from sleep apnea. Without treatment, living with the disorder may cause significant complications including daytime sleepiness, increased risk of heart attack and stroke, mood disorders and poor daytime function. Most people who have sleep apnea do not realize that they have the condition; even though their sleep is frequently interrupted throughout the night. People suffering from sleep apnea will wake often through out the night due to their oxygen being restricted or completely cut off. When apnea sufferers awaken, normal breathing is restored; however, they do not enter a state of complete wakefulness. The apneic events can continue unnoticed because sufferers do not fully awake or recognize they are waking though out the night. With sleep apnea, breathing may temporarily stop or become shallow hundreds of times during a night’s sleep.
The cause of Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs when the air passage at the back of the throat becomes blocked. When muscles in the throat relax, this causes the soft palate to relax as well, which then narrows the airway. This same course of events also causes snoring, although, not all people who snore have obstructive sleep apnea. As one breathes in through the mouth or nose, the airway narrows further or completely closes and cuts breath short. The airflow restriction causes a gasping sensation, which prompts a period of shallow wakefulness. While partially awake, normal breathing is restored. This persistent blockage of the airway can happen several times an hour, replaying the course of events through out the night, causing a fragmented night of sleep.
There are several different treatment options for sleep apnea ranging from conservative therapy to major surgery.
The most common treatment is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). A CPAP machine consists of a specially fitted mask that covers your mouth and/or nose while you sleep. The machine delivers a continuous flow of air into your nostrils. The pressurized air flowing into your airways promotes open airways so breathing is not impaired while you sleep.
Some people with obstructive sleep apnea find their cure with dental devices. These appliances are specially designed to keep airways open during sleep. Dentists that have a specialty dealing with obstructive sleep apnea, customize the devices for the wearer.
Surgery is a treatment option for apnea as well. Surgical options often involve procedures that attempt to increase the diameter of the upper airway.
Individuals with sleep apnea may be instructed to make lifestyle changes. Some suggestions may include weight loss to alleviate constriction of the throat. Avoidance of alcohol, over-the-counter sedatives and other unnecessary sedating agents is also recommended, as these may further relax the muscles at the back of your throat.
October 16th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
It is where the is an obstruction in you breathing while you sleep and causes you not to breath causes over weight,inlarged tonsils,feeling tired after you have slept,headaces in the mornings.I have sleep apnea I had a sleep test done to find that i quit breathing 49 times in 4 hours of sleep,I am on a cpap machine at night it keeps my airways open so that those episodes of not breathing dont occur
References :
October 16th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/TheOpenDoorForsupport/
References :
October 16th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Sleep Apnea is a common nighttime breathing disorder that affects more than 15 million Americans. Sleep apnea affects men and women of all ages; even children can suffer from sleep apnea. Without treatment, living with the disorder may cause significant complications including daytime sleepiness, increased risk of heart attack and stroke, mood disorders and poor daytime function. Most people who have sleep apnea do not realize that they have the condition; even though their sleep is frequently interrupted throughout the night. People suffering from sleep apnea will wake often through out the night due to their oxygen being restricted or completely cut off. When apnea sufferers awaken, normal breathing is restored; however, they do not enter a state of complete wakefulness. The apneic events can continue unnoticed because sufferers do not fully awake or recognize they are waking though out the night. With sleep apnea, breathing may temporarily stop or become shallow hundreds of times during a night’s sleep.
The cause of Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs when the air passage at the back of the throat becomes blocked. When muscles in the throat relax, this causes the soft palate to relax as well, which then narrows the airway. This same course of events also causes snoring, although, not all people who snore have obstructive sleep apnea. As one breathes in through the mouth or nose, the airway narrows further or completely closes and cuts breath short. The airflow restriction causes a gasping sensation, which prompts a period of shallow wakefulness. While partially awake, normal breathing is restored. This persistent blockage of the airway can happen several times an hour, replaying the course of events through out the night, causing a fragmented night of sleep.
There are several different treatment options for sleep apnea ranging from conservative therapy to major surgery.
The most common treatment is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). A CPAP machine consists of a specially fitted mask that covers your mouth and/or nose while you sleep. The machine delivers a continuous flow of air into your nostrils. The pressurized air flowing into your airways promotes open airways so breathing is not impaired while you sleep.
Some people with obstructive sleep apnea find their cure with dental devices. These appliances are specially designed to keep airways open during sleep. Dentists that have a specialty dealing with obstructive sleep apnea, customize the devices for the wearer.
Surgery is a treatment option for apnea as well. Surgical options often involve procedures that attempt to increase the diameter of the upper airway.
Individuals with sleep apnea may be instructed to make lifestyle changes. Some suggestions may include weight loss to alleviate constriction of the throat. Avoidance of alcohol, over-the-counter sedatives and other unnecessary sedating agents is also recommended, as these may further relax the muscles at the back of your throat.
References :
http://www.sleepassociation.org/index.php?p=sleepapnea