Introduction :
Most of us don’t think of snoring as something to be overly concerned about- unless our bed partner is disrupting our sleep! But frequent, loud snoring may be a sign of sleep apnea, a common and potentially serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts as we sleep. Although sleep apnea is treatable, it often goes unrecognized. Learn how to recognize the warning signs of sleep apnea, how to distinguish it from normal snoring, and what we can do about it.
Concept of Sleep Aphnea:
Sleep apnea affects the way we breathe when we’re sleeping. In untreated sleep apnea, breathing is briefly interrupted or becomes very shallow during sleep. These breathing pauses typically last between 10 to 20 seconds and can occur up to hundreds of times a night.
Untreated sleep apnea prevents us from getting a good night’s sleep. When breathing is paused, we’re jolted out of natural sleep rhythm. As a consequence, we spend more time in light sleep and less time in the deep, restorative sleep we need to be energetic, mentally sharp, and productive the next day.
This chronic sleep deprivation results in daytime sleepiness, slow reflexes, poor concentration, and an increased risk of accidents. Sleep apnea can also lead to serious health problems over time, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and weight pain. But with treatment, we can control the symptoms, to get sleep back on track, and starting enjoying what it’s like to be refreshed and alert every day.
Types of Aphnea:
Obstructive sleep aphnea:
It is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when the soft tissue in the back of the throat relaxes during sleep, causing a blockage of the airway (as well as loud snoring).
Central sleep apnea:
It is a much less common type of sleep apnea that involves the central nervous system, rather than an airway obstruction. It occurs when the brain fails to signal the muscles that control breathing. People with central sleep apnea seldom snore.
Complex sleep apnea:
It is a combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea signs and symptoms:
It can be tough to identify sleep apnea on our own, since the most prominent symptoms only occur when we’re asleep. But we can get around this difficulty by asking a bed partner to observe our sleep habits or recording our self during sleep.
Major signs and symptoms of sleep apnea:
Loud and chronic snoring.
Choking, snorting, or gasping during sleep.
Long pauses in breathing.
Day time sleepiness, no matter how much time we spend in bed.
Other common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:
Walking up with a dry mouth or sore throat.
Morning headaches.
Restless or fitful sleep.
Insomnia or nighttime awakenings.
Going to the bathroom frequently during the night.
Waking up feeling out of breath.
Forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating.
Moodiness, irritability, or depression.
Medical Treatments for sleep apnea:
If our sleep apnea is moderate to severe, or we’ve tried self-help strategies and life style changes without success, it’s important to see a sleep doctor. A sleep specialist can evaluate our symptoms and help we find an effective treatment. Treatment for sleep apnea has come a long way in recent times, so take some time to explore the new options. Even if we are unhappy with sleep apnea treatment in the past, chances are we can find something that works and feels comfortable to us.
Treatments for central and complex sleep apnea usually include:
Treating the underlying medical condition causing the apnea, such as a heart or neuromuscular disorder.
Using supplemental oxygen while we sleep.
Breathing devices that are also used to manage obstructive sleep apnea.
Medications are only available to treat the sleepiness associated with sleep apnea, not the apnea itself. So should only be used in conjunction with order proven sleep.
Continuous Positive Airflow apnea treatments:
CPAP for sleep apnea pressure, or CPAP for short, is the most common treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. In many cases, we’ll experience immediate symptom relief and a huge boost in our mental and physical energy. The CPAP device is a mask-like machine that provides a constant stream of air which keeps our breathing passages open while we sleep. Most CPAP devices are the size of a tissue box.
If we’ve given up on sleep apnea machines in the past because of discomfort, we owe it to our self to give them a second look. CPAP technology is constantly being updated and improved. The new CPAP devices are lighter, quieter, and more sleep apnea device is up to date.
CPAP without the mask:
One of the newest treatment options for sleep apnea is an alternative form of CPAP called Provent. This new device fits over the nostrils and is smaller and less intrusive than the traditional CPAP machine. If we haven’t been able to adjust to the CPAP mask, ask our doctor about Provent. But keep in mind that Provent is more expensive than regular CPAP machines, and it doesn’t work for everyone.
Surgery as treatment for sleep apnea:
If we have exhausted other apnea treatment options, we may want to discuss surgical options with our doctor or sleep specialist. Surgery can increase the size of our airway, thus reducing our episodes of sleep apnea.
The surgeon may remove tonsils, adenoids, or excess tissue at the back of the throat or inside the nose. Or, the surgeon may reconstruct the jaw to enlarge the upper airway. Surgery carries risks of complications and infections, and in some rare cases, symptoms can become worse after surgery.
Conclusion:
So it does not mean that all the people who snore will have APNEA but people with apnea used to snore more than the healthy ones. Care should be taken when snoring becomes habituated.
Thanks,
Health, March-2013
No comments:
Post a Comment