Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea (apnea is defined as absent breathing) is a medical condition in which breathing is obstructed and ceases during sleep. Also known as obstructive sleep apnea, this condition causes fatigue and disrupted sleep, and in severe cases, may even be life-threatening.
Individuals who have no known breathing problems may not be aware that they have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea occurs when the muscular structures that keep the upper airway open relax during sleep. This relaxation causes the tissue lining the inside of the throat to collapse into the airway and obstruct breathing. The obstruction of the airway leads to periods of apnea. These periods of apnea can last for several seconds to several minutes and can occur many times during the night. The brain senses the lack of oxygen and will cause the sleep apnea sufferer to awaken and begin breathing again. If this cycle of sleeping and waking occurs repeatedly, sleep will be of extremely poor quality. Individuals suffering from sleep apnea will normally feel fatigued and sleepy during the day.
Besides fatigue and sleepiness, the most common sign of sleep apnea is snoring. Partners of sleep apnea sufferers will usually be the first to notice the sleep apnea. Snoring will usually be continuous with pauses during periods of apnea. These periods of apnea will be followed by loud gasping or snorting when breathing recommences. Sleep apnea sufferers do not fully wake and often begin snoring again. If you use a CPAP machine and a CPAP Pillow you will find it can reduce this problem in an amazing way.
Sleep apnea is diagnosed definitively at a sleep clinic. The sleep clinic will monitor a patient’s breathing rate, blood oxygen level, and other vital signs while they sleep. Once a diagnosis is made, the most common treatment for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). CPAP is accomplished by a pump-like machine and mask that fits over the nose. A constant flow of air is adjusted to provide enough pressure to keep the upper airway from collapsing during sleep. CPAP treatment gives most sleep apnea sufferers relief from their fatigue and sleepiness, but some may require surgical treatment.
Tags: breathing problems, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, cpap, Cpap Machine, Cpap Pillow, Sleep, Sleep Apnea, sleep apnea sufferers, sleep clinic