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We usually hear sleep apnea being talked about as a condition that's signified by loud, chronic snoring. But that's not always the case. When a person suffers from obstructive apnea, they snore as air pushes past a totally or partially blocked airway, with the breathing interruptions happening at least 5 and sometimes in excess of 30 times an hour. If you share your bed with someone who hasn't resolved his or her obstructive apnea, you know how annoying this can be. Not only do the breathing interruptions result in your partner's moving from a state of deep sleep to light sleep, but they can have the same effect on you, leaving both of you feeling tired, irritable and unable to concentrate during waking hours.
However, if your partner suffers from central apnea, you may not be aware that he or she is experiencing sleep apnea. Unlike obstructive apnea that results from a block airway, central apnea is caused by the brain's ineffectively communicating the correct breathing actions to the breathing muscles. Consequently, the sufferer intermittently gasps for air instead of snoring. Central apnea is less common that obstructive apnea, but it's no less dangerous to a person's long-term health. Both obstructive and central apnea can increase a person's risk for a myriad of negative health conditions, including high blood pressure, hypertension, heart failure, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, obesity, depression and poor concentration. But the most damaging effect of sleep apnea is its weakening of the immune system. As with all sleep problems, the insufficient sleep that results form apnea causes immune cells to function with less efficiency and therefore decreases the body's ability to fight off infection and disease.
So, what's the best way to determine the presence of apnea and then resolve it? The first step is to make an appointment with your general physician or schedule a consultation with a sleep medicine clinic. Your physician may be able to conclude that you suffer from apnea upon conducting a physical investigation, especially considering that enlarged tonsils and obesity commonly result in obstructive apnea. But when apnea is suspected and its cause isn't immediately obvious, receiving a polysomnogram from a sleep clinic is the best way to determine the cause of apnea, especially in the case of central apnea.
A polysomnogram is a non-invasive procedure that uses sensors to monitor a person's brain functions and physical movements as they sleep. After the test reveals the nature and the cause of the apnea, the correct course of treatment in determined. Apnea treatments range from sleep masks that prevent the closing of airways to prescription medication to surgical procedures, with surgery being the least common treatment.
Whatever course of apnea treatment your physician recommends, it's important that you or your partner receive the treatment as soon as possible. If surgery is recommended and you begin to feel that the sleep disturbances and daytime tiredness are preferable to undergoing an operation, remember that untreated apnea predisposes you serious medical conditions that are also likely to require surgery.
Snoring is the most common sign of obstructive sleep apnea. But just because you don't snore doesn't mean that you don't have sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea usually occurs without snoring but is equally dangerous. For help with apnea and other sleep problems, contact your physician or a sleep clinic. Visit FusionSleep.com for more information and get a good nights rest.
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Sleeping Beauty was the last and most lavish of Walt Disney's animated fairy tales. He told the artists not to hurry and to give him "a moving illustration": The film required almost four and one-half years and one million finished drawings. Instead of the 19th century storybook illustrations that had influenced the look of Snow White and Pinocchio, the artists adapted the flattened perspective and jewel-like colors of 15th century French illuminated manuscripts. The results remain unmatched for sheer visual opulence. However, Sleeping Beauty suffers from a weak story: the vision of an ageless princess slumbering in a vine-shrouded tower was replaced with elements of Snow White and a boy-meets-girl musical. The evil Maleficent and the three Good Fairies (Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather) dominate the film, rather than Princess Aurora and Prince Philip. Sleeping Beauty was originally released in 70mm, and the Blu-ray edition restores the film to its original splendor. (Many earlier releases trimmed the wide-screen images and/or muted the glowing palatte.) The Bonus DVD looks good on a flat screen monitor, but it pales in comparison to the richness of the Blu-ray. In addition to the commentaries and a making-of documentary, the set includes myriad extras that vary widely in quality. Nostalgia buffs will enjoy the recreation of the old Sleeping Beauty's Castle attraction in Disneyland, and the TV program "Four Artists Paint One Tree" provides a welcome showcase for key talents from the film. But the CG animation of the dragon and the voice imitations of the Good Fairies fail to capture the magic of the originals in the "Dragon Encounter"; the "Maleficent's Challenge Game"--a hi-tech Twenty Questions--sounds only vaguely like the redoubtable sorceress. (Rated G: violence) --Charles Solomon
Stills from Sleeping Beauty (Click for larger image)
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Sleep apnea is one of the most commonly seen sleep disorder and affects around 18,000,000 Americans. A sleep disorder that is characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep, it is also indisputably the most dangerous of all sleep disorders because it deprives the brain of critical oxygen and can sometimes prove to be fatal.
There are two very separate forms of this disorder. Central sleep apnea is essentially a neurological disorder where breathing is interrupted as a result of signals sent from the brain. Obstructive sleep apnea is essentially a mechanical problem where the windpipe is obstructed either by too much tissue or by the unusual relaxation or collapse of the muscles around the windpipe. In either case however the results are basically the same with recurrent interruptions to normal breathing that deprive the brain of oxygen and put the sufferer at greater risk from things like high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.
Sadly, diagnosing the condition can prove to be a problem because snoring, which is a common symptom and frequently results in sleep apnea being known as the snoring disease, is also commonly seen as a symptom of several other medical conditions. Snoring is certainly generally present in cases of sleep apnea because the brain counters a drop in oxygen by awakening the sufferer enough to restart breathing and this usually results in snoring.
This repeated awakening through the night also causes a poor overall quality of sleep and it is quite common for sufferers to wake up in the morning feeling even more tired than they were when they went to bed. This also results in feelings of exhaustion during the day and an overwhelming need to sleep.
But, tiredness resulting from poor quality sleep is only part of the picture and various other symptoms will also generally be present including headaches in the morning, forgetfulness and a problem in concentrating.
Without treatment the accumulating exhaustion from sleep apnea may produce serious psychological problems starting with irritability and progressing to depression with obvious changes in both mood and behavior.
Both forms of the condition can be treated and, provided the problem is diagnosed at an early stage, treatment can often be relatively simple. For example, mild cases of obstructive sleep apnea caused by nasal congestion can normally be treated with nothing more than a course of decongestants. Also, a lot of cases that are not too severe may be treated with the use of a mask that is worn during sleep and that delivers a constant pressure of air to keep the airway open. Lastly, in the most severe cases of sleep apnea surgery might be needed and can be very effective, though it can also result in a variety of complications and must be considered with caution.
Perhaps the most important thing to bear in mind with sleep apnea is that as it carries with it the potentially fatal risk of respiratory failure sufferers ought not to be tempted to use sleeping pills or to use other forms of sleep enhancers without the approval of a doctor.
Natural sleep remedies without question complement prescribed medication and herbs which are intended to improve both the quality and duration of sleep may assist in managing the excessive daytime sleepiness frequently brought on by sleep apnea. Similarly, things like aromatherapy, chromatherapy and guided relaxation and meditation can help to combat the insomnia and anxiety that go together with sleep apnea.
Help-Me-To-Sleep.com looks in detail at sleep apnea and also at sleep apnea children
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Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by frequent stops in breathing, often lasting up to a minute. Each of these "breathless" episodes is called an apnea event, which can occur as often as a hundred times a night. The consequences of sleep apnea can be life threatening, including hypertension, stroke and cardiovascular disease. Several sleep apnea remedies are available, varying from lifestyle changes, to oral devices, to surgery.
Of the three types of sleep apnea, the most common is obstructive, resulting when tissue, the tongue, or relaxed throat muscles obstruct the airway. Lifestyle changes, the least invasive of sleep apnea remedies, are the first step to relieve sleep apnea. These changes most often include losing weight, avoiding alcohol, reducing caffeine, and the cessation of smoking.
Sleep position adjustment is another of the non-invasive sleep apnea remedies. Avoid sleeping on the back; instead sleep on the stomach or on the side. Sleeping on the back allows the tongue to relax toward the back of the throat, blocking the airway. Turning to the side and staying there can help prevent obstruction occurring. Using pillows to prop the head can also help, as can a hard object, such as a tennis ball propped behind the back to prevent rolling over during sleep.
Oral devices, moderately invasive, can also be used as sleep apnea remedies. Oral devices range from simple prosthetics placed in the mouth during sleep to prevent the tongue from obstructing the airway, to the use of CPAP, continuous positive airway pressure. CPAP uses a medical pump, attached to flexible tubing, which is attached to a mask that fits over the nose, or mouth or both. Via this mask, the CPAP pumps a stream of air into the mouth during sleep to keep the airway open.
Other sleep apnea remedies include palate (roof of the mouth) stiffening. Insertions of polyester material into the palate lessen vibration. Scarring, too, can stiffen the palate, achieved by injecting a scarring solution (injection snoreplasty), using a laser, or surgery to create the scarring.
Airway widening through tissue reduction is yet another of the sleep apnea remedies. Radiofrequency Tissue Reduction (RFTR) involves piercing the tongue, soft palate or throat using a needle connected to a radio frequency generator. The inner tissues shrink, but outer tissues, those that contain taste buds, remain unaffected.
The most invasive sleep apnea remedies are surgical procedures. Uvulopalatoplasty is a procedure that can shrink or remove the uvula (that tissue that dangles from the roof of the mouth in the back of the throat). Nasal surgery involves straightening the septum (the barrier between the nostrils) in patients where nasal congestion complicates the sleep apnea. In addition, a tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy may be performed to widen the airway.
The most invasive of sleep apnea remedies, is a surgical procedure called Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA). MMA is performed only in the most difficult cases. It involves detaching the upper and lower jaw, moving them forward and reattaching them with pins or plates.
Do you suffer from sleep apnea? Our site focuses on sleep apnea treatments and symptoms for sufferers of sleep apnea.
by T. D. Houser
Apnea is derived from a Greek word and means cessation of breath. Sleep Apnea is the obstruction of the air passage preventing the free flow of air. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is usually associated with daytime weariness, dryness of mouth, high blood pressure, obesity, depression, mood swings, insomnia, nocturia and gasping or choking for breath.
The diagnosis of sleep apnea involves a physical examination of the nose, throat, uvula and the palate. A medical history that includes details of the patient?s sleep quality, sleep patterns, disturbances if any and the like, is collected. A sleep recording is done to record and monitor the patient?s breathing while he is asleep. The most common sleep recording technique is the Polysomnogram or PSG.
There are two types of polysomnography tests. An overnight test involves monitoring of brain activity, eye movement, breathing patterns, heart beat rate and percentage of oxygen in the blood. This is usually done in a diagnostic center or hospital where the person sleeps overnight. Another test called the home monitoring test can also be performed. Here a technician connects all the electrodes to the patient and instructs him on using a polysomnograh to monitor his sleep. This is usually painless. Sleep testers like Sleep Quest and Sleep Data provide this service.
A respiratory disturbance index (RDI) is then calculated. It is expressed as the number of abnormal respiratory events in an hour. A value above 20 (which is the threshold limit) indicates that the person must be advocated with CPAP treatment. A multiple sleep latency test is done to assess daytime sleepiness. An average person needs more than 10 minutes to fall asleep during the day. If the level falls below 5 then it is considered abnormal and the person requires immediate attention.
A sleep strip can also be used to test apnea. This is typically a screener and it has a threshold limit. A value greater than or equal to 16 means the person needs to undergo the polysomnography test.
These tests prove give results that prove to be important in the treatment of sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea provides detailed information on Sleep Apnea, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Central Sleep Apnea, Sleep Apnea Machines and more. Sleep Apnea is affiliated with Pediatric Sleep Disorders.
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Millions of people are searching for the best sleep apnea cures. This condition may be more common that you think. It is a disorder that occurs when one's breathing pauses, stops or is reduced for a few seconds to as long as a few minutes. It happens more frequently with adults but also occurs in children, although more rarely. There are three different types: central, obstructive and mixed or complex. Central (CSA) occurs when the brain does not signal your diaphragm muscles to contract so you can actually breathe. Obstructive (OSA) takes place when proper air flow is not maintained as when the airway in the throat becomes blocked, narrowed or floppy. Mixed or complex is a combination of both central and obstructive. Breathing pauses can occur as often as five to thirty times within an hour. OSA is by far the most common type, followed by complex and most rarely CSA.
Here are the symptoms that you or the people around you may experience: noisy snoring, choking, gasping for air during sleep, sleepiness in the daytime, breathing pauses, headaches in the morning, insomnia, frequent bathroom visits, loss of concentration, restlessness, easily irritated and mood swings. You are at greater risk if you are among the following: male, above the age of 65, overweight, smoker, of black, Spanish and/or Pacific Islander ancestry and especially if you have a family history of the disorder.
Common Symptoms and Sleep Apnea Cures
If you are suffering from this kind of sleeping disorder and are looking for the best sleep apnea cures, these treatments might be effective for you:
Losing weight is a commonly recommended natural cure and can be an effective treatment for OSA. When one gains weight, fat often accumulates in the neck, and that fat tissue can obstruct your air passages making it difficult to breathe. Individuals with a neck size greater than 17 inches are at greater risk. Losing weight has many overall health benefits and can often cure this condition.
Smoking increases inflammation and also promotes fluid retention in your throat that could interfere with breathing. Also, many of the contents in cigarettes are stimulants and actually work to keep you awake. Again, stopping smoking has enormous health benefits in addition to helping treat this condition.
Sleeping pills, sedatives and alcohol increase your chance of suffering this sleep disorder as they relax the muscles and interfere with normal breathing. In addition, they can also retard your muscles reactivity to signals from your brain.
Refrain from heavy meals and caffeine a few hours before bedtime as they can cause sleeping difficulty and add to your suffering.
Got to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Regular sleeping habits improve your sleeping and can reduce the occurrence of symptoms.
Elevate your head when sleeping so that your airwaves are kept open. When you lie flat on your back, your jaw and tongue can slide back into the throat disrupting normal air flow. Sleeping on your side can also effectively reduce the incidence of blocked airways that are characteristic of this type of sleep disorder.
Try melatonin, the herb flower Vervain (also called Verbena) or the 5-HTP amino acid. These may calm the brain and relax you so you can sleep more soundly.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or CPAP machines are an extremely common and effective approach for sleep apnea cures. By delivering air under pressure through a mask, the sufferer's airways remain open during breathing, thereby preventing the blockages that cause this condition.
Surgery may be a last option if your condition is severe or at its chronic stage. There are a variety of surgical options. For some sufferers, surgery may be performed to remove the excess tissue in the nose or throat to create a wider air passage. Surgery to realign the jaw can also be effective. Lastly, a tracheotomy can also be performed to completely bypass the blocked airways. Surgery is generally a last option so consult with a sleep expert before surgery to determine the best sleep apnea cure for you.
Sleep Apnea Cures That Work for You
If you suspect you or a loved one has sleep apnea, the first step is to see a physician. He may order a Polysomnography or sleep study to accurately diagnose the condition. Once properly diagnosed, a physician can determine the most effective sleep apnea treatment. Not only will these treatments help your sleeping, they may also promote better overall health and energy. There are many treatment options available so no one has to suffer in vain any longer.
Find out the best sleep apnea cures for you and take action.
Do you suspect you or a loved one may have sleep apnea?
If you snore, find yourself constantly waking up at night short of breath or can't stay awake during the day, you may have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that is often ignored and goes untreated with dangerous consequences.
If this sounds like you, you and your family don't have to suffer any longer. Effective sleep apnea cures are available. Check out my free report on sleep apnea machines that can solve your problem.
So, don't wait because sleep apnea treatment is available now.
Do you know someone that has been diagnosed with sleep apnea and you did not dare ask what it is exactly? Are you aware that a lot of people are unaware of being affected by this sleep disorder? Could you or someone close to you be suffering from this disorder? Let's find out!
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects both the quality of sleep but also more importantly, the breathing process. While sleeping, the patient will stop breathing for periods of 10 seconds or longer which will wake him up as he is struggling to breathe. These absences of breathing are called "apneas". Usually the patient is unaware of these struggling episodes.
Is there more than one kind of sleep apnea?
Did you know that there are two types of sleep apnea? The first is called OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) which is caused by relaxed soft tissue blocking the passage of air during sleep.
The second type of sleep apnea is called CSA (central sleep apnea) which is caused by irregular signals from the brain that affect the breathing process. In some cases, patients suffer from a combination of both types of sleep apnea.
What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
The symptoms of sleep apnea are: suffering from excessive sleepiness during the day, having headaches in the morning, feeling irritable, being affected by mood changes, suffering from anxiety, being affected by depression, becoming forgetful, snoring loud and gasp for air, having restless sleep, having trouble to concentrate and even falling asleep during the day. Please note that these symptoms vary from one person to the next. Also be aware that the severity of the symptoms and the combination of symptoms vary from one patient to the next.
A bit of history
Did you know that the first case of sleep apnea that was diagnosed happened only in 1965? This is a bit odd when you consider that so many people are affected by this sleep disorder. At first, only people suffering from certain health conditions such as congestive heart failure were diagnosed with sleep apnea. It was also noticed that problems related to sleep apnea happened following surgery particularly in people that are overweight, obese or had short necks. It was later on proven that while they were noticed in these particular cases, sleep apnea does not only affect people suffering from these conditions or displaying these specific characteristics.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
This type of sleep apnea seems more common in people that have a soft palate or other abnormalities such the ones related to the jaw, people who are obese or consume alcohol. Did you know that 2% of female and 4% of males diagnosed with a mild case of sleep apnea stop breathing at least ten times per hour?
To evaluate the severity of sleep apnea in a patient, the specialist will evaluate it by using the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). If a patient has less than 5 apneas per hour, it is considered normal. If it is between 5 and 15 it is mild, if it is between 15 and 30 it is moderate and over 30 is considered severe.
Also, the approximate time for each apnea (breathing interruption) is usually about 10 seconds but in more severe cases, it can reach 60 seconds.
In certain cases, sleep apnea can be cause by an external situation such as an accident, family problems, heart problems and narcolepsy. It was also held responsible either partially or totally for SIDS also known as sudden infant death syndrome.
How can it be diagnosed?
Sleep apnea is evaluated in a sleep laboratory. The patient spends the night in this laboratory and is closely monitored by both a technician with visual instruments as well as various medical resources that will also verify the level of oxygen in the blood, the breathing pattern as well as the activity of the brain.
What are the available treatments?
Well, according to the severity of the sleep apnea, a single type of treatment may help while some cases may require a combination of treatments. The available treatments are: medication, avoid antidepressants or relaxants, avoid alcohol, change of diet, quit smoking, surgery to enlarge the airways, devices to keep the patient from sleeping on his back, special pillows, oral devices and the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) which is a machine that uses a tube connected to a mask and sends continuous pressurized air to keep the airways open.
Can sleep apnea be fatal?
Sleep apnea can lead to death as it takes a huge toll on the body and affects other systems which can lead to fatal situations such as a heart attack, congestive heart failure, a stroke or the patient may fall asleep while driving for example and have a tragic accident.
It is important to know that while people between 65 and 100 years of age or that are overweigh are more susceptible to suffer from sleep apnea but it still can affect people that are not overweight, infants and children as well. That is why if you have any doubts concerning a close relative, a friend or even yourself, see a doctor as treated sleep apnea cannot only improve your quality of life but also give you the opportunity to live a long and happy life.
My husband has been diagnosed with sleep apnea a few years ago. He has followed certain treatments, such as surgery and CPAP and we believe that it has improved his quality of sleep which also allow him to lead a better life. If you wish to learn more about sleep apnea, I invite you to visit this site: http://sleep-apnea.findoutnow.org
It's easy to immediately think of insomnia when one hears of the term sleep disorder. A lot of people may not know though that sleep apnea is also an equally distressing sleep disorder. The best way to secure oneself from the threat of apnea is to recognize a sleep apnea symptom.
Dangers of Sleep Apnea
The reason why one should be able to recognize a sleep apnea symptom is because it is a potentially life threatening condition. Aside from exhausting the body and retarding your functions, sleep apnea could lead to more serious conditions such as stroke, heart disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease to name just a few.
There are three types of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is when the brain fails to signal breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea is when the muscles in the air passage collapses or becomes blocked by tissues that prevent air from getting through. The third type is a mix of the two major apnea types. Although they may have their differences, they may share a similar sleep apnea symptom or two.
Symptoms
It is believed that the most common sleep apnea symptom is snoring. This sleep apnea symptom may begin immediately after falling asleep and can grow louder as sleep progresses. It has since been discovered though that sleep apnea may still occur even without this common sleep apnea symptom. It is also possible that one may be a loud snorer without necessarily having an apnea condition.
It is logical to therefore conclude that the cessation of breathing is a more determining sleep apnea symptom. Aside from this obvious sleep apnea symptom, an individual could also gasp and choke while asleep and may eventually wake up dazed and confused. Daytime sleepiness is an insomnia symptom that may also point to a sleep apnea condition.
Accompanying Conditions
It may also be a good idea to look for a sleep apnea symptom among the conditions caused by apnea itself. A person suffering from this condition could end up being depressed because apnea causes either light sleep or wakefulness that in turn causes tiredness and irritability.
Importance of an Observer
Often times, a person with a sleep apnea symptom doesn't know that he has it himself. After all, a sleeping person cannot know what goes on during sleep. The responsibility of first noticing an apnea condition therefore falls on the shoulders of housemates or bed mates. Once a symptom like cessation of breathing becomes obvious a person who is believed to have apnea should be brought to a specialist for proper diagnosis. Housemates should also take note of personality changes brought about by disturbed sleep.
Treatment
It is believed that surgery may only be 50% successful in treating sleep apnea. It may help though for people who have the condition clearly because of enlarged tissues or tonsils. Surgery is generally a last resort treatment for people with apnea. Other medical procedures and treatments are first attempted before surgery is considered. What is important is to seek for expert advice instead of attempting to solve the condition on your own.
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Researchers have been investigating sleep and its effects on the human population for a long time. One of the current focuses is on sleep apnea, a sleep disorder characterized by frequent stops in breathing. Consequences of sleep apnea can be serious, including hypertension, stroke and cardiovascular disease, and currently affects over 18 million Americans. Sleep apnea study, therefore, can benefit a major portion of the population.
The National Sleep Foundation, the American Sleep Apnea Association, and The National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research, are a few organizations who conduct sleep apnea studies. These sleep apnea study researchers not only examine the origin and the effects of the disorder, but other diseases and disorders that can be affected by sleep apnea.
One such sleep apnea study is The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of NIH's "Sleep Heart Health Study" (SHHS). NHLBI reported in April of 2000 that middle-aged and older adults with sleep apnea showed a 45 percent greater risk of hypertension--a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The sleep apnea study involved more than 6,000 adults aged 40 and over, whose sleep apnea was assessed via at home polysomnography (PSG). PSG records body activity during sleep, such as eye movement, heart rate, respiratory effort, airflow and blood oxygen levels. The result: the risk of hypertension increased with the severity of the apnea in all participants, regardless of age, sex, race, or weight. The risk was evident even at moderate levels of sleep apnea.
A different sleep apnea study, conducted by Jana R. Cooke, MD, of the University of California at San Diego, examined patients with both Alzheimer disease and a sleep-related breathing disorder. This study focused on 48 adults, average age 77.8 years, treating them for the sleep disorder with CPAP, continuous positive airway pressure, the most common treatment for sleep apnea. Results: the patients slept more during the night and slept deeper. Since waking episodes are a problem for Alzheimer's patients, improving their sleep, improved their quality of life.
A third sleep apnea study, performed at the St. George Hospital, University of New South Wales in Koragah, Australia, focused on the effectiveness of oral devices to keep the airway open to relieve sleep apnea. The sleep apnea study consisted of 4 weeks of treatment with the MAS, and a control device (an inactive oral appliance). Sleep apnea tests were performed on each patient at the end of each treatment period. Results showed that in 59 men and 14 women of an average age of 48 years, the MAS Therapy improved a range of symptoms associated with sleep apnea. Daytime sleepiness was reduced, as was sleep latency (the time it takes to fall asleep once lights are out.)
These three sleep apnea studies are but a small portion of research projects for sleep apnea. NIH's currently lists over 50 sleep apnea studies on their website as "in progress" or "searching for subjects.
Do you suffer from sleep apnea? Our site focuses on sleep apnea treatments and symptoms for sufferers of sleep apnea.
by T. D. Houser
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How can you tell?
The most common symptom of sleep apnea is daytime drowsiness. But the second most common symptom is loud snoring. If you have sleep apnea, you will almost certainly snore. But the fact that you snore does not necessarily mean that you have sleep apnea or any other sleep disorder. It does not even mean that you are going to develop sleep apnea at some time in the future. Even doctors cannot predict with any degree of reliability which snorers will develop sleep apnea or other sleep disorders and which snorers won't. Factors other than snoring play a greater part in determining your likelihood to have sleep apnea. You are more likely to develop sleep apnea if you have one of the following traits:
You're a man.
You're over 40 years old.
You're overweight.
You smoke cigarettes.
You drink alcohol excessively or you drink alcohol close to bedtime.
If you think that you may be developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you should have your sleep partner or some other family member spend some time listening to you snore. If your snoring regular, steady, and absent the appearance of stress? Then your snoring may just be snoring. If your snoring, though, is loud, habitual, and comes in burst that switch back and forth between easy breathing and a choking-for-air type of gasping, then you may very well be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.
What can you do?
If your doctor confirms that you are dealing with sleep apnea, there are a number of things you can do to give yourself relief.
Lose weight. Excess weight around the neck/throat area often causes the airway to collapse -- sleep apnea. Losing the excess weight typically brings relief from this problem. Don't go to extremes -- consult with your doctor to establish a diet-and-exercise routine that's right for you.
Change your sleeping position. Your airway is more likely to collapse (obstructive sleep apnea) if you sleep lying on your back. Try sleeping on your side and see whether this reduces or eliminates the problem.
Quit smoking. Smoking inhibits your lung capacity, and thus inhibits the effectiveness of your breathing. Lord knows there are plenty of other reasons to quit smoking, but you can add snoring and sleep apnea to the reasons why you should quit.
Don't drink alcohol before bedtime. OK, let's look a little closer at this one. Most people drink alcohol because it helps them relax. Puts the stresses of the day behind them and lets them easily drift off to sleep. Unfortunately, that "relaxation" also includes relaxation of the airway muscles -- the muscles that keep your airway open so that you can breathe. So, believe it or not, the relaxation that can help you get to sleep can lead to the sleep apnea that keeps the sleep from being either restful or efficient.
In Summary
If you suspect sleep apnea, have a sleep partner or family member listen to your snoring. If the snoring is ragged, rough, and "desperate sounding," you can suspect sleep apnea and you should consult with your doctor about potential remedies, including such measures as losing weight, changing your sleep position, and avoiding substances that only add to your problems.
Copyright (c) William Johnson 2008
I'm Bill Johnson, the webmaster of www.insomnia-answers.com I research and write articles on the topic of sleep apnea and other sleep disorders. Please visit my site to get your free copy of my special report, "Learn the Tactics to Defeat Sleep Disorder," which can be found on the "Free Reports" page.
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