Sleep Apnea - A Fairly Common Condition


by Will Jones - Date: 2007-01-20 - Word Count: 412 Share This!

If your spouse notices that you are snoring loudly, stop breathing for more than 10 seconds more than 5 times an hour during sleep, you may have sleep apnea. This may come as a surprise to you, but sleep apnea is more common than you think. Early diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea can lead to a longer healthier life. Often diet and exercise will eliminate mild forms of sleep apnea however; many cases require medical intervention due to other worsening health issues.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common form of the condition and generally responds to treatment. Constant pressure air pump (CPAP) is the commonly used oral device used for patients diagnosed with OSA. This device requires a head piece connected to an air pressure pump. The head piece goes over the nose and continually pumps air down the throat to keep the larynx open. This method allows the patient to keep breathing while sleeping thus eliminating the loss of breathing and low blood oxygen problems. CPAP may be eliminated if the patient looses enough weight to breathe properly without assistance.

Central Sleep Apnea is another form of sleep apnea. This condition occurs when the nerves that regulate breathing do not work properly. This is a neurological problem that must be addressed. Either of these conditions can be determined in a sleep study test. This test requires an overnight stay at a sleep center where the patient’s sleep patterns are monitored for potential sleep apnea problems.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is the most commonly used surgery to treat sleep apnea. This surgery is intended to enlarge the airway by removing all redundant tissues (tonsils, adenoids, and uvula) from the pharynx. Youngsters with snoring problems often respond well to this surgery.

High blood pressure, insomnia and narcolepsy are all conditions which can occur due to prolonged sleep apnea. The loss of breathing increases the blood carbon dioxide level due to loss of oxygen. Low blood oxygen can lead to the above mentioned problems plus enlarged heart and various other heart related issues.

Possibly twenty million people suffer from sleep apnea and haven’t been properly diagnosed. People who suffer from sleep apnea are often loud snorers, but that’s not to say if you snore you have sleep apnea. If you partner tells you that you stop breathing often while sleeping or you have morning headaches and are often sleepy during the day seek medical advise. Remember, early diagnosis of sleep apnea can lead to a healthier, longer life.


Related Tags: sleep, sleep apnea, apnea, breathing

Copyright © 2006 Will Jones

Will is a retired Research Food Technologist who worked over forty years with a major Fortune 500 food company in the Midwest. Product and process development of various types of foods were Will's expertise. Will's interests include reading, cooking, fishing, travel and golf.

Will is also a contributing editor for http://www.best-free-help.com a FREE Informational Website Portal that is dedicated to giving people expert knowledge of real value, to help people them decide!

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