Out of all of the sleep disorders out there, sleep apnea is one of the most serious and dangerous. Sleep apnea occurs when a person stops breathing frequently throughout the night. There are quite a few different factors that can cause sleep apnea, and it is relatively difficult to diagnose.
You might have sleep apnea and not even realize it. This makes it important that if you have noticed that you feel fatigued during the day even after getting a full night's sleep or your partner complains about your snoring. You should learn about this disorder so that you can determine if you are suffering from it.
This is crucial so that if you do have sleep apnea, you can figure out a method of treatment as sleep apnea can cause further complications if left untreated. The following is everything that you need to know about sleep apnea so that you can determine if you suffer from it and how you can go about treating it.
What Are The Two Different Types Of Sleep Apnea?
The first thing that you need to know is that there are two different types of sleep apnea. The first type of sleep apnea is obstructive which happens when your throat muscles relax, causing the airways to become obstructed. The second type of sleep apnea is central sleep apnea. This type of sleep apnea occurs when your brain fails to send signals to the muscles that control breathing when you are sleeping.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
There are a ton of different factors which can cause you to develop sleep apnea. It is important that you know what these risk factors are, as this can help you to determine if it is sleep apnea that you are suffering from. The first risk factor for sleep apnea is obesity, as those who are obese are much more likely to have an obstructed airway.
Men are also at a much higher risk of sleep apnea than woman. Enlarged tonsils and nasal congestion are also factors which put you at risk of sleep apnea. Use of tranquilizers can also cause sleep apnea. Smoking and alcohol abuse can also lead to this condition.
What Are The Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea?
If you are wondering if you suffer from sleep apnea, it is important that you are aware of the symptoms so that you can determine if you have this sleep disorder or not. The most common symptom of sleep apnea is loud snoring. If your partner has told you that you snore very loudly, you might have sleep apnea.
Another symptom of this sleep disorder is if you find that you are exhausted during the day even after getting a full night's sleep. Waking up with a sore, dry throat is another sign that you might suffer from this condition. Another symptom of this sleep disorder is if you find that you wake up often during the night feeling as if you need to catch your breath.
What Other Complications Can Be Caused By Sleep Apnea?
The reason that it is so important to determine if you have sleep apnea and find an effective method of treatment is that sleep apnea can cause further complications down the road if it is left untreated. The first complication that can be caused by sleep apnea is increased blood pressure and heart complications.
This is due to the reduction in oxygen that occurs at night for those suffering from this sleep disorder. It can also cause liver problems. One other thing that many people do not consider is that sleep apnea can negatively affect the sleep of your partner.
It can prevent your partner from getting a good night's sleep which can have negative effects on their health. It can also affect your relationship with your partner if they end up having to sleep in another room due to the snoring, as this can get in the way of the intimacy of your relationship.
What Are The Possible Treatments For Sleep Apnea?
If you are suffering from sleep apnea, it is crucial that you find an effective method of treatment so that you can avoid further complications. The most common sleep apnea treatment is CPAP. This is a treatment where a mask is worn over the mouth and nose.
It is hooked up to an air machine and works to regulate breathing while you are asleep. The problem with this method of treatment is that it can be uncomfortable, make sleep difficult, and can be very expensive.
If you have less severe sleep apnea and are looking for a more comfortable and affordable alternative, the Good Morning Snore Solution is a great product. It fits right inside the mouth and regulates breathing through its innovative sucking mechanism.
Useful References
1. National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute (Accessed 22 June 2013)2. WebMD.com (Accessed 22 June 2013)
3. Mayo Clinic (Accessed 22 June 2013)
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