Understanding Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition where a person stops breathing while sleeping. This condition can be caused by several different things and is usually diagnosed through a sleep clinic study. There are also several treatments for a person with sleep apnea. Living with sleep apnea can be scary, but once a person gets diagnosed they should be able to find a treatment that allows them to get on with their life and sleep normal once again.
In a person with sleep apnea the airway can be blocked by tissue, tonsils, the tongue or muscles collapsing. When a person is suffering from sleep apnea they will usually not know. Other people may notice it when they are sleeping and wake the person or tell them they were snoring or making funny noises when they were sleeping.
The symptoms of sleep apnea are usually extreme tiredness even after what seems to be a good nights sleep. This is because once a person stops breathing they are woken up out of the deep sleep. They never really do get to enjoy the deep sleep that is necessary for a good nights rest. They may also snore, have headaches upon waking up, have a dry mouth and have mood changes.
Sleep apnea can be very dangerous, so it is important that if a person suspects they may suffer from it that they seek medical help as soon as possible. Sleep apnea can lead to heart disease, stroke and impotence. A doctor will administer a sleep test either in a clinic or for the person to do at home. This test will measure the oxygen levels in the person’s blood, as well as their sleep patterns.
Once a person is diagnosed with sleep apnea the doctor will usually start to see why exactly the condition is present. The cause of the sleep apnea will usually dictate the treatment. Sometimes if a person loses weight or changes sleeping positions they can stop their sleep apnea. There are also medical devices like mouth guards, that can be used. For example, a C-PAP is a machine that is often used to treat sleep apnea. It blows air into the person’s nose and helps to keep the airway open. In some cases where the cause is a physical deformity, surgery may be a good option.
Sleep apnea is quite easy to treat once a person is diagnosed. The diagnosis can be the hardest part of dealing with sleep apnea, since a person is usually unaware they are even having problems. However, if a person experiences any of the symptoms of sleep apnea they should see their doctor and get tested. Letting the condition go without treatment could be fatal, so any suspicion should be checked out.
To find out more about Sleep Apnea and learn about options for diagnosis and treatment of the disease visit Sleep Apnea
