The Different Aspects of Sleep Apnea


by Alex Wilson - Date: 2006-12-21 - Word Count: 539 Share This!

There are now lots of researchers who are looking into the sleep disorder commonly know as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be described as the pausing of ones breathing at night while you are asleep.

This is now a problem that quite a lot of people are faced with and also need help to treat it. There are up and coming new discoveries that could help to find new ways to get treatment for these sleep breathing disorders such as sleep apnea.

In the main there are two different types of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea which is caused by the obstructions of the airway passages. This obstruction could be anything from the enlargement of ones tonsils, to fat that is found in and around the neck area. Just about anything can be the cause for this type of sleep apnea. There can be lots of different reasons for this problem and for this purpose one should check with their doctor.

A few of the sleep apnea basics that one could learn, can help a person have a better understanding of the problem, as well as help them find a way to treat it. One particular sign of sleep apnea is loud snoring. This is an good indication of breathing problems or blocked air passages. The cessation of breathing or even some mild choking spells in the middle of the night is also a warning sign of sleep apnea.

Lots of people who suffer, have no idea that they even have this type of problem. They may not realize what they are doing while sleeping. The choking and gasping may possibly not affect everyone, and if does, the person may not remember it when they wake up.

The second type of sleep apnea disorder is called central sleep apnea. This can cause the person to stop breathing while they are asleep. With central sleep apnea, the body will simply forget to breathe. It is a neurological dysfunction that is caused by failure of the brain to issue an actual command to keep on breathing while sleeping. This is a fairly new discovery that has determined the area of where this problem has originated.

There have been lots of studying to research this problem. Scientists have now found that there are a tiny group of neurons control this function. These neurons may hold clues for causes laying underneath for other breathing disorders and offer an excellent target for medications.

With Sleep apnea the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream can drop way below the normal rate. When this happens, the amount of carbon dioxide will also rise. This condition can cause a shock to the system and it is believed to be the main reason for the on bringing of a heart attack or stroke in people that are suffering from this condition.

If you suspect that you are suffering from sleep apnea, you should check with your doctor as soon as possible. They can perform tests to determine which type of sleep apnea is affecting you. With the results from these tests, your doctor will be able to determine how best to treat it so that you can get the sleep that you so readily deserve and need, so that you may function properly throughout your day.


Related Tags: sleep apnea, apnia, obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, apnoea

Alex Wilson is currently the article writer and editor for help with sleep problems, where you will find lots of useful sleep related information and tips. For more information and Free Sleep Tips click on Sleep Problems

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