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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. Treatment for those suffering from sleep apnea is geared towards returning to a state of restful sleep with normal breathing patterns throughout the night. As well treatment is often meant to relieve or all together rid a sleep apnea sufferer of symptoms such as loud snoring, choking or gasping throughout the night and excessive tiredness during the day. Sleep apnea treatments are also very beneficial in lowering high levels of blood pressure and decreasing the risk that a patient will suffer a stroke or heart attack in the future.
Lifestyle changes are the first course of treatment. These include quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol at least four hours before bedtime and not consuming any type of sleeping pill or sedative. For those who are overweight losing weight is recommended. Even a few pounds loss can be helpful for those suffering from mild sleep apnea. It is also recommended that sleep apnea sufferers sleep on their side and not their stomach or their back. Which side is not of much importance but sleeping on one's side can serve to keep the throat and airways clear and open. Oversized pillow are not recommended and neither is it recommended to use more than one pillow while you sleep. These lifestyle changes might be enough to help those suffering from mild cases of sleep apnea but moderate to severe sufferers will need to go one step further.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is routinely used to treat cases of sleep apnea. A mask is worn over the nose while the patient is sleeping. The purpose of the mask is to blow air continuously into the throat to help keep it clear and open. The air pressure level is set ahead of time for what is adequate for the patient. Many patients notice less symptoms and more restful sleeps once they begin using CPAP. Snoring may cease due to this treatment method but that does not mean that you can give up using CPAP or that automatically your sleep apnea has gone away for good. It is important to point out that while snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, not all people who have this condition snore. As well there are people who snore who do not suffer from sleep apnea.
Continuous positive pressure as a treatment method is effective only if it is used as instructed and is used on a consistent basis. Often stopping its use will cause all of the patient's symptoms to return. It is important to talk with your doctor about your concerns in regards to sleep apnea and this method of treatment.
CPAP is a treatment that is used form home and generally a sleep technician arrives at your home with the equipment and sets up the special CPAP machine next to your bed. The technician will set it to the air pressure determined by the patient's doctor and can return to make adjustments to it as is needed.
CPAP treatment comes with side effects that might bother some sleep apnea sufferers. These side effects include stuffy and/or dry nose, irritation of facial skin, sore eyes, stomach bloating and headaches.
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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