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Sleep Apnea (also called Sleep Apnoea) is a common sleep disorder that is characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep, which force the sufferer to wake up to resume normal breathing, and disrupt and disturb their normal sleep cycle. These episodes, called apneas, usually last from a few seconds up to as long as sixty seconds in severe cases, and may occur repeatedly throughout the night. Four of the most common risk factors associated with sleep apnea include obesity, habitual snoring, family history of the condition, immune abnormalities and other medical conditions that could cause problems. Let's take a closer look at each one of these risk factors.
Weighing too much can cause many health problems and it does nothing to improve a case of sleep apnea. Fat cells are found throughout the human body and that includes the throat. When there is a built up of fatty cells they have a tendency to clog the throat's soft tissue, thereby restricting the flow of air in and out of the lungs. An estimated seventy percent of sleep apnea sufferers are overweight. Obese or overweight individuals are likely to have a larger neck circumference than thinner people and this could increase the risk factor because of the excess fatty tissue. This risk is greatest for males whose neck measurement is seventeen inches or higher and for females whose neck circumference is sixteen inches or higher. Along the same lines, studies into sleep have shown that those who suffer from sleep apnea are consistently awakened during their deep REM sleep (rapid- eye movement) and this can have an effect on the metabolic system which can lead to a greater chance of packing on pounds.
Snoring on a regular basis is common in a vast majority of sleep apnea sufferers. Besides snoring many sufferers find themselves choking and gasping for air throughout the night. Some are aware of these problems and are awakened constantly while others with milder forms are not. If snoring takes place over an extended period of time it can cause the soft palate of the throat to increase in size. It is often believed that snoring is the cause of sleep apnea and while this may be the reality in some cases it is also believed that snoring "may actually be a cause of changes that triggers some cases of sleep apnea." Children who snore can also develop obstructive sleep apnea although it is rare. If your child snores on a regular basis have him or her checked out at the doctor and thoroughly discuss the problem so it will not lead to anything more serious.
Health problems run in some families and can be passed on from generation to generation. Abnormalities in breathing can sometimes arise as a result of inherited problems in the neck and/or face areas.
Immune abnormalities can play a role in the risk associated with developing sleep apnea. Studies have shown that individuals who suffer from sleep apnea show high levels of some specific immune factors, these being interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). High levels of TNF-alpha can bring about debilitating problems such as weakness in regards to the circulatory system, shortness of breath and excessive tiredness. Obesity has also been shown to be linked to elevated levels of both TNF-alpha and IL-6 in the body.
Other specific medical problems also figure in as risk factors for sleep apnea. For example, people who suffer from severe heartburn on consistent basis (also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or abbreviated to GERD) are more likely than others to be at risk for developing sleep apnea. High blood pressure and heart failure have been shown to be connected with incidences of sleep apnea.
Written by: Scott Parat
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If left untreated, Sleep Apnea can be life threatening. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS) can cause people to fall asleep at inappropriate times, such as while driving, endangering their lives and the lives of their passengers and those around them.
Sleep apnea also appears to put individuals at risk for stroke and Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs), also known as "mini-strokes", and is associated with coronary heart disease, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, heart attack, gout and high blood pressure.
So, if you or a loved one are suffering from sleep apnea, be sure to see your doctor so that the sleep apnea symptoms can be treated, removed, or reduced before they become life threatening.
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