Snore No More with Sleep Apnea Treatment
A snore is not a pleasant sound, especially not if it wakes you up in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, snoring is a fairly common problem. It's estimated that perhaps about a quarter of people snore, and older people are even more likely to snore.
Snoring is more than just a loud, rumbling noise; it's a sign that something else might be wrong. A snorer might have a sleep disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea, where the breathing tubes can become obstructed during sleep, costing the brain oxygen. Though snoring is not dangerous is and of itself, sleep apnea has been linked to a host of health problems, including heart disease and stroke.
Snoring is associated with higher risks of developing certain diseases and health problems. People who snore are statistically more likely to suffer heart attacks or stroke. It's also been shown that snoring treatment can improve the marital relationship between husband and wife!
To cure snoring, a sleep doctor or dentist needs to know what's causing the snores. If it's sleep apnea, the patient can be given a sleep apnea treatment such as a CPAP breathing mask to wear at night. In addition to curing snoring, sleep apnea therapy can also leave a patient happier and healthier overall.
+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.