A Definition of Sleep Apnea and Its Causes

There are several different types of sleep apnea, the most common being obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. OSA basically means that some type of obstruction causes a person to stop breathing while they are sleeping. While the person will start breathing again this can cause long term health issues, some of them quite serious.

There are many reasons why a person may suffer from sleep apnea. One such reason has to do with the anatomy of the throat. When a person is sleeping it is natural for the muscles of the throat to relax to a certain point. However, some people have a very narrow airway and when the muscles relax they can sometimes get in the way of air flow. This can either cause snoring or a complete temporary blockage of air which is known as sleep apnea.

In some people there is no anatomical reason for their sleep apnea. They simply stop breathing for a period of ten seconds or more during sleep. They are often awoken when they begin gasping for breath. People with sleep apnea often don't get a good night's rest since they are constantly being woken up. Sleep apnea sufferers often have feel tired and irritable throughout the day.

Some people with sleep apnea are not really fully awoken during the night and may have no idea that they even have sleep apnea. Snoring is seen by our society as a minor irritation, not the potential sign of a serious health problem. If someone has commented on your snoring you may want to see your doctor to ensure it isn't the sign of sleep apnea.

Some other symptoms that may signify that you have sleep apnea include morning headaches, snoring, feeling tired throughout the day, high blood pressure, hyperactivity, poor memory, inability to concentrate, and swollen legs. If you have one or more of these symptoms you should talk to your doctor.

Your doctor will be able to run a test called a polysomnogram or PSG which can rule out sleep apnea. This test is very effective in helping to determine sleep apnea and measures brainwaves, eye movement, heart rate, oxygen levels, breathing rate, muscle activity and amount of air being inhaled and exhaled. The PSG will be able to tell your doctor if you have sleep apnea and how serious of a case it is.

Rudy Watkins answers the question what is sleep apnea and other related topics on the Apnea Guide website. Visit www.apneaguide.com to learn more and sign up for our free newsletter.