Sleep Articles -
Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea - An
Extremely Common and Dangerous Sleep
Disorder
by Donald Saunders
Sleep apnea refers to a sleep disorder
characterized by the interruption of
breathing during sleep, such that respiration
stops for ten or more seconds, cutting
off valuable oxygen supplies to the
brain. This interruption of the bodys
breathing cycle can recur hundreds of
times each night, with potentially fatal
results. Even more alarming, sleep apnea,
the most dangerous of all sleep disorders,
also represents one of the most commonly
identified sleep disorders, affecting
as many as eighteen million Americans
each year.
This condition can be divided into two
primary categories. Central sleep
apnea, caused by a neurological
malfunction in which the brain somehow
disrupts the normal signal to breathe
and Obstructive sleep apnea,
characterized by the excessive relaxation
or the collapse of muscles around the
windpipe, which in turn causes windpipe
obstruction. Both forms involve the
frequent cessation of breathing and
the temporary suspension of the oxygen
supply to the brain, putting sleep apnea
sufferers at a significantly greater
risk of high blood pressure, heart attack
and stroke.
Diagnosing sleep apnea can be difficult.
Snoring, one of the most common symptoms
associated with sleep apnea (resulting
in many people referring to this as
the snoring disease), often
leads to an erroneous diagnosis of the
condition. In fact, snoring can be associated
with a variety of other sleep disorders
and conditions unrelated to sleep apnea.
When the brain senses a lack of oxygen,
as a result of an obstructed windpipe,
it reacts by waking the suffer sufficiently
to start breathing again, often causing
snoring or sometimes coughing. As a
result, sleep apnea suffers enjoy a
very poor quality of sleep and wake
up feeling even more tired than before
they went to bed.
Feelings of exhaustion, fatigue and
an overwhelming desire to sleep during
the day, known as excessive daytime
sleepiness, characterize sleep apnea;
especially if seen in conjunction with
other symptoms such as morning headaches,
noticeable lethargy, loss of interest
in sex, forgetfulness and difficulty
concentrating.
The ongoing exhaustion and physical
fatigue brought on by undiagnosed or
untreated sleep apnea can also lead
to the onset of serious psychological
symptoms such as depression, irritability
and changes in mood and behavior.
If you suspect that you are suffering
from sleep apnea, you should seek immediate
medical guidance and, if necessary,
arrange the appropriate tests.
There are a variety of effective treatments
available for both obstructive and central
sleep apnea. Most patients benefit significantly
from one or more of these treatments,
which primarily involve simple behavioral
adjustments like changing or modifying
your sleeping position. Sufferers of
mild obstructive sleep apnea as a result
of persistent nasal congestion may simply
require a course of decongestants, while
more severe sleep apnea may need the
use of an oxygen mask to stimulate consistent
breathing while asleep. In severe cases
of obstructive sleep apnea, certain
surgical procedures can help to restore
effective and consistent respiration
during sleep, although sufferers should
proceed down this particular route with
caution, as surgery can often lead to
added complications.
One important point to note is that,
because of the risk of potentially fatal
respiratory arrest, sleep apnea sufferers
should refrain from taking sleeping
pills or artificial sleep enhancers
because of the associated respiratory
dangers.
Natural sleep remedies provide an effective
complement to medically prescribed treatments
and can certainly help sufferers to
enjoy a better night's sleep. Herbal
remedies designed to improve the quality
and duration of sleep can assist patients
in managing and even reducing the excessive
daytime sleepiness otherwise brought
on by sleep apnea.
Similarly, the use of aromatherapy,
chromatherapy and guided relaxation
and meditation can help to reduce the
anxiety and insomnia sleep apnea patients
experience as they learn to manage their
sleep disorder.
Copyright © 2005 Donald Saunders
Help Me To Sleep Affiliates
About the Author
Donald Saunders is the author of a number
of health related publications including:
"Help Me To Sleep - A Guide To
Natural Sleep Remedies", "Jet
Lag - An Alternative Approach",
"Shift Work Insomnia" and
"The Art of Meditation - A Guide
To Meditation, Breathing and Relaxation
Techniques"
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