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Defining Sleep Apnea in Layman's TermsSleep apnea (also sometimes spelled sleep apnoea) takes place when a person's breathing stops as they sleep. It is defined as "a common sleep disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep." These interruptions of sleep are "apneas", and they generally take place over a period of ten seconds or more and can take place any number of times throughout the course of a night. Individuals who suffer with this problem often wake themselves up by their struggle to get their breath but often do not recall how they suffered throughout the
night.
Those who study sleep and sleep disorders break sleep problems down into three different categories, which include obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea and mixed sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea (abbreviated to OSA) is by far the most common form. In this case the soft tissue located in the back part of the throat relaxes too much and it blocks airflow. Despite the effort to breathe, when a person sleeps it is not possible for air to pass from the nose and mouth and into the lungs. The action of obstructive sleep apnea causes the blood to have a decreased level of oxygen in it. Regular breathing begins by way of a small degree of choking or a snorting sensation. Central sleep apnea (CSA) is not terribly common. It comes about because the brain experiences difficulties in sending out signals to the body in terms of regular breathing patterns. The third type of sleep apnea known as mixed sleep apnea is just that, it is a combination of the other two but bears more in common with OSA and its treatment is much the same.
Those who have interrupted sleep patterns are often extremely tired throughout the daytime. In fact "excessive daytime sleepiness" is one of the major symptoms of sleep apnea. Those who suffer from sleep apnea don't get any rest at night because of the drop in blood oxygenation levels, the pauses in breathing and/or the struggle for the airways to move air into and out of the lungs, and finally, an individual will fall into a deep soundless sleep but then be jolted out of it and into a lighter sleep. When this happens a number of times throughout the course of a night, it causes problems.
Individuals who have a tendency towards sleep apnea often are noisy snorers as well. But that does not automatically mean that those who snore also suffer from sleep apnea, and vice versa. Not everyone who has sleep apnea is aware of the fact that they also do indeed snore. The majority of people who experience sleep apnea are not aware that they have interruptions in their breathing at night. Often it takes a spouse or another family member to become aware of the fact that an individual suffers from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is more common in those who have excessive weight on their bodies although even those without weight problems can develop sleep apnea.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Sleep Apnea
It is important to keep the lines of communication open with your doctor at all times. He or she is a worthwhile source of information in regards to every aspect of the disorder sleep apnea. You are the patient after all and deserve to know...
A Look at Breathing Assistance Devices- CPAP, VPAP and APAP
There are three main forms of breathing assistance devices in the form of positive airway pressure. A positive airway pressure is defined as "a breathing machine that pumps a controlled steam of air through a mask worn over the nose, mouth, or both....
Who Suffers from Sleep Apnea and What Can be Done About It?
Sleep apnea is a serious medical problem. Those who suffer from the cessation of breathing can experience what is referred to as "apneic events" anywhere from ten to thirty seconds each time it happens. Those who suffer from severe sleep apnea can...
How is Mild to Moderate Sleep Apnea Treated?
Making lifestyle or behavioral changes usually treats mild sleep apnea sufficiently. These changes include such things as losing weight if need be, quitting smoking, decreasing your consumption of alcohol before bedtime and not taking any substance...
Learning to Live with Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a very common medical condition and is believed to be as common in adults as diabetes. According to the National Institute of Health more than twelve million American men and women are affected in varying degrees by sleep apnea....
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