Do I Have Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder. There are an estimated sixteen million untreated cases in just the United States. Sleep apnea is usually identifiable through a person’s severe snoring paired with occasional stops in breathing throughout the night. These stops in breathe can last more than thirty seconds and sometimes happen as many as thirty times in an hour. The risk of sleep apnea increases as one ages. It is more likely in men than women, at least for younger individuals.
Most people aren’t treated for sleep apnea. This is unfortunate because there are many effective treatments available. However, it can be difficult to diagnose. More than eighty percent of people have no idea they have the disorder.
Varieties of Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is quite common and makes up the majority of sleep apnea cases. As the name implies, this form involves an obstruction that blocks airflow. This can be the result of excess tissues or swollen glands. Sometimes the jaw placement is the cause. Obesity is often the primary cause of sleep apnea, because the increase in skin around the throat leads to a collapsed airway. This is particularly true while sleeping on one’s back.
During sleep, the airway becomes blocked and breathing temporarily stops. This leads to a drop in blood oxygen content. The body reacts as if it is suffocating and a person gasps for air, eventually starting to breath again. Usually the person begins snoring again and then the process repeats, sometimes hundreds of times a night.
Central sleep apnea results from a very different cause, but leads to similar results. This form is caused by problems with the central nervous system that lead to delayed signals to muscles involved in respiration. This causes the temporary halting of breathe. Common causes of this are injuries to the brain, especially the brain stem. Sometimes diseases or illness that affect the brain can cause central sleep apnea.
Although these types of sleep apnea have very different causes, the results are similar. Oxygen supply is not maintained at appropriate levels. Sleep is disrupted by the release of stress hormones resulting from perceived suffocation. Left untreated, many cardiovascular problems could result. High blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and heart attacks become more common.
Taking Action
It isn’t always easy to identify sleep apnea. So many cases go untreated simply because those with them aren’t aware of it. However, if you have any suspicion that you could be at risk, it is good to take action and find out if you have sleep apnea. Visiting a sleep clinic is the most surefire way to find out, although it can be expensive. Often a spouse or roommate is able to identify the symptoms while you sleep. It is also possible to record yourself during sleep and then review the findings during the day.
Once you are diagnoses with sleep apnea, it is possible to decide on appropriate treatment options. Most cases can be solved through behavior therapy. Many times losing weight is the best treatment. Some extreme cases require surgery. There are also many breathing devices that have been shown successful in treating a variety of sleep apnea cases.
Seeing your doctor or sleep specialist is an essential step. Each sleep apnea case has its own unique causes and may require certain treatments.
There is plenty of information about sleep apnea on the internet. For more information take a look at this website on what is sleep apnea.
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