Sleep Apnea Treatment Can Help You Sleep Better
Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders. There are several types of sleep apnea, but obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is by far the most common type of sleep apnea. In this sleep disorder, the airway sometimes is obstructed during sleep. The person tries to inhale, but is not able to get any oxygen because the breathing passages are blocked.
Sleep apnea is diagnosed when a sleeping person stops breathing for ten seconds or more. Each episode is termed an apnea, and people with sleep apnea will have multiple apneas each night. However, since sleep apneas happen when one sleeps, it's hard to self-diagnose. You may not feel rested when you wake and you may be sleepy during the day without knowing why.
Sleep doctors, sleep centers and sleep studies can be part of the process of diagnosing sleep apnea. In other cases, a spouse's report of the patient's sleeping patterns may be enough. Some people seek out a sleep specialist to learn how to sleep better, whereas others see their family dentist for sleep apnea therapy.
Patients have a range of options when it comes to sleep apnea treatments. The most popular of these is a CPAP mask that provides continuous positive air pressure all night long to make breathing easier. However, splint therapy is an attractive option for patients who would rather wear a night guard than a sleep mask. Sleep apnea surgery is a therapy of last resort for people with severe sleep apnea.
People with mild sleep apnea symptoms may be able to effectively treat the sleep disorder with some simple lifestyle changes. These include doing breathing exercises, losing weight, avoiding alcohol and cigarettes, and sleeping on one's side, in an inclined position, or with a sleep apnea pillow.
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.
Apnea: Skipping Breaths at Night Equals Sleep Apnea
An apnea is what happens when you stop breathing for a moment during sleep. Apneas are defined as pauses lasting 10 seconds or longer; a shorter pause is known as a hypopnea. It's most often caused by your breathing passageways becoming blocked while you sleep, a sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea.
During an apnea, blood oxygen levels fall. The brain doesn't get the oxygen it needs. REM sleep, which is supposed to be the most restful, is compromised. Sleep apnea leaves people feeling daytime fatigue, but that's not all: it also leaves sufferers more vulnerable to a host of other health problems. Heart disease, stroke, diabetes, brain damage and memory loss have all been linked to sleep apnea.
Not all people who snore have sleep apnea, but most people with sleep apnea do snore. Snoring is loud, rumbling breath during sleep. Sleep apnea, on the other hand, is characterized by stopping breathing or skipping breaths during sleep.
Treating obstructive or central sleep apnea improves a person's overall health and well-being. But a significant side benefit of sleep apnea treatment is that it can eliminate snoring. Ask anyone whose spouse snores just how valuable that can be! In fact, when people who snore seek treatment, the marriage tends to improve as well.
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.