Sleep Apnea Is An Extremely Commonly Seen and Potentially Fatal Sleeping Disorder

By Donald Saunders [ 10/11/2007 ]

Sleep apnea is probably the most commonly seen sleep disorder and affects almost 18,000,000 Americans. A sleeping disorder which is characterized by broken breathing during sleep, sleep apnea is also undoubtedly the most dangerous of sleeping disorders because it deprives the brain of crucial oxygen and sometimes proves fatal.

There are two very distinct types of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is essentially a neurological disorder in which breathing is broken because of signals sent from the brain. Obstructive sleep apnea by contrast is essentially a mechanical problem in which the windpipe is obstructed either by excessive tissue or as a result of the unusual relaxation or collapse of muscle tissue around the windpipe. In both cases however the results are effectively the same with regular interruptions to normal breathing that starve the brain of oxygen and place sufferers at greater risk from things like hypertension, stroke and heart attack.

Regrettably, diagnosing sleep apnea can be difficult because snoring, which is a common symptom and often results in sleep apnea being referred to as the snoring disease, is also often seen as a symptom of many other problems. Snoring is certainly frequently seen with sleep apnea because the brain reacts to a lack of oxygen by awakening the sufferer enough to restart the breathing process and this generally produces snoring.

This regular awakening through the night also results in a poor quality of sleep and it is not at all uncommon for sleep apnea sufferers to wake up in the morning feeling more tired than they were when they went to bed. This also results in feelings of sheer exhaustion during the course of the day and an overpowering need to sleep.

However, tiredness resulting from a poor quality of sleep is only part of the problem and a variety of other symptoms will almost certainly be seen including headaches in the morning, poor memory and a difficulty in concentrating.

Without treatment the increasing tiredness resulting from sleep apnea can lead to serious psychological problems starting with simple irritability and moving on to depression with clear changes in mood and behavior.

Both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea can be treated and, provided the condition is diagnosed at an early stage, this treatment can often be reasonably easy. For example, a minor case of obstructive sleep apnea arising out of nasal congestion can commonly be treated with little more than decongestants. Likewise, a lot of cases of sleep apnea that are not particularly severe can be treated with the use of a mask that is worn during sleep and that provides a constant pressure of air in order to keep the airway open. Finally, in the most severe cases of sleep apnea surgery may be needed and can be extremely effective, though it can also lead to a variety of complications and has to be considered with care.

Probably the most important thing to remember when treating sleep apnea is that because it carries the potential risk of respiratory failure sufferers should not be tempted to take sleeping pills or to take other types of sleep enhancers without the approval of a doctor.

Natural sleep remedies can unquestionably provide an effective complement to prescribed medicines and herbs which are designed to improve the duration and quality of sleep can be of assistance in managing the excessive daytime sleepiness usually accompanying sleep apnea. Also, things like aromatherapy, chromatherapy and guided relaxation and meditation can help to combat the anxiety and insomnia that go along with sleep apnea.

About the author:
Help-Me-To-Sleep.com looks in detail at severe sleep apnea treatment and also at child sleep apnea

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

Sleep Apnea Treatment

By Juliet Cohen [ 17/09/2007 ]

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea is recognized as a problem by others witnessing the individual during episodes or is suspected because of its effects on the body (sequelae). In sleep apnea, your breathing stops or gets very shallow while you are sleeping. Each pause in breathing typically lasts 10 to 20 seconds or more. These pauses can occur 20 to 30 times or more an hour. Symptoms may be present for years, even decades without identification, during which time the sufferer may become conditioned to the daytime sleepiness and fatigue associated with significant levels of sleep disturbance. In adults, the most typical individual with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is obese, with particular heaviness at the face and neck. The hallmark symptom of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in adults is excessive daytime sleepiness. Typically, an adult or adolescent with severe long-standing obstructive sleep apnea will fall asleep for very brief periods in the course of usual daytime activities if given any opportunity to sit or rest. Sleep apnea is recognized as a problem by others witnessing the individual during episodes or is suspected because of its effects on the body.

Sleep apnea is a common disorder that can be very serious. There are two distinct forms of sleep apnea: Central and Obstructive. Sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure and other cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain, impotency, and headaches. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common category of sleep-disordered breathing. The prevalence of OSA among the adult population in western Europe and North America. The hallmark symptom of the disorder is excessive daytime sleepiness. Additional symptoms of sleep apnea include restless sleep, loud snoring (with periods of silence followed by gasps), falling asleep during the day, morning headaches, trouble concentrating, irritability, forgetfulness, mood or behavior changes, anxiety, and depression. Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA). A more invasive surgery usually only tried in difficult cases where other surgeries have not relieved the patient's OSA. Apneas are usually measured during sleep (preferably in all stages of sleep) over a two-hour period.

Weight reduction and avoiding alcohol and sedatives may help some individuals. Surgery to remove excess tissue at the back of the throat , to remove enlarged tonsils or adenoids ,or to create an opening in the trachea to bypass the obstructed airway during sleep. Sleep Apnea in children where removing the tonsils or adenoids does not take care of the problem is usually treated with a C-PAP (continous positive airway pressure) or Bi-Level positive airway pressure. C-PAP is a machine that blows air into your nose via a nose mask, keeping the airway open and unobstructed. Bi-Level has an inspiratory pressure that is higher than the expiratory pressure. Some children have facial deformities that may cause the sleep apnea. Maxillomandibular advancement. In this procedure, the upper and lower part of your jaw is moved forward from the remainder of your face bones. Tracheostomy is used in persons with severe, life- threatening sleep apnea. Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is done to eliminate snoring but has not been shown to be effective in treating sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea Treatment Tips

1. Behavioral Therapy-Is usually all that is needed for a mild case. It changes the person behavior towards the use of alcohol, tobacco which affects the airway.

2. Physical or Mechanical Therapy- The therapy provides air pressure to keep the airway from narrowing.

3. Surgery is considered only when other alternative therapy failed or if the patient volunteered to.

4. Avoid or at least limit alcohol intake.

5. Avoid or limit the use of tranquilizers, sleeping pills.

6. Avoid sleeping on your back.

7. Oxygen and medications may have adjunctive roles in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in some patients.

8. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, which removes excess tissue in the throat to make the airway wider.

9. Tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy, which removes the tonsils and/or the adenoids.

10. Tracheostomy, which creates a hole in the windpipe (trachea). A tube is then put in the hole to bring air in.

About the author:
Juliet Cohen writes articles for online medical clinic and skin disorders. For more information visit our site at http://www.diseasestreatment.com.

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com