Sleep apnea is a disorder with potentially serious consequences. It causes a person to experience interrupted breathing while he or she is asleep. Those with this disorder often stop breathing continuously throughout the night. Certain individuals who have participated in studies at sleep apnea centers have found that they unknowingly stopped breathing hundreds of times in an eight hour period. Fortunately, treatments are available for this disorder.
There are two types of the condition, which are called obstructive or central. The former is the most common form of the disorder, but serious side effects are associated with both. Complete or partial airway blockage results in obstructive apnea, and one often gasps or jerks awake when normal breathing resumes. There are various causes for the obstructive form of the condition, which include a deviated septum, obesity, cardiac disease, allergies, pulmonary disorders, asthma, and sleeping in an improper position.
With the central form of the condition, the obstruction is not in the person's upper respiratory tract, but rather this type is caused by the brain's failure to signal the appropriate muscles to complete a full respiration. This results in instability in the respiratory system. It is considered a disorder of one's nervous system, although the reason it occurs is not yet known.
Interestingly, men suffer from this disorder more than women. Statistics show that the condition occurs in one out of every four males, but only occurs in one out of every ten females. It is not yet known why more men are afflicted with the disorder than women. It is particularly common in overweight individuals, and does not usually manifest for the first time until one is over forty years of age.
Symptoms are often noticed by family members before the patient himself or herself discovers that a problem exists. For example, one of the most commonly experienced side effects is excessive snoring. Couples sometimes report that the partner who has the disorder frequently jolts awake at regular intervals during the night, even though the patient does not realize he or she is doing so.
Patients may enjoy a good night sleep by using certain medical devices. These include equipment such as BPAP masks that are designed to prevent the person's airway from becoming obstructed while he or she is asleep. However, prior to treating the condition with such devices, medical evaluation is important.
In some instances, surgery can be completed to trim the soft palate, and ultimately lessen the severity of one symptoms. Whether or not this is an option will depend on the kind of sleep apnea one suffers from, as well as the patient's general health. There are also basic remedies for the condition, such as weight loss and positioning oneself properly upon retiring.
Heart rhythm irregularities and lack of oxygen to the organs are two of the most serious side effects of sleep apnea. For this reason, seeking help at sleep apnea centers is a wise course of action. Anyone who feels he or she may be suffering from this disorder should schedule an appointment with a licensed health care practitioner without delay.
There are two types of the condition, which are called obstructive or central. The former is the most common form of the disorder, but serious side effects are associated with both. Complete or partial airway blockage results in obstructive apnea, and one often gasps or jerks awake when normal breathing resumes. There are various causes for the obstructive form of the condition, which include a deviated septum, obesity, cardiac disease, allergies, pulmonary disorders, asthma, and sleeping in an improper position.
With the central form of the condition, the obstruction is not in the person's upper respiratory tract, but rather this type is caused by the brain's failure to signal the appropriate muscles to complete a full respiration. This results in instability in the respiratory system. It is considered a disorder of one's nervous system, although the reason it occurs is not yet known.
Interestingly, men suffer from this disorder more than women. Statistics show that the condition occurs in one out of every four males, but only occurs in one out of every ten females. It is not yet known why more men are afflicted with the disorder than women. It is particularly common in overweight individuals, and does not usually manifest for the first time until one is over forty years of age.
Symptoms are often noticed by family members before the patient himself or herself discovers that a problem exists. For example, one of the most commonly experienced side effects is excessive snoring. Couples sometimes report that the partner who has the disorder frequently jolts awake at regular intervals during the night, even though the patient does not realize he or she is doing so.
Patients may enjoy a good night sleep by using certain medical devices. These include equipment such as BPAP masks that are designed to prevent the person's airway from becoming obstructed while he or she is asleep. However, prior to treating the condition with such devices, medical evaluation is important.
In some instances, surgery can be completed to trim the soft palate, and ultimately lessen the severity of one symptoms. Whether or not this is an option will depend on the kind of sleep apnea one suffers from, as well as the patient's general health. There are also basic remedies for the condition, such as weight loss and positioning oneself properly upon retiring.
Heart rhythm irregularities and lack of oxygen to the organs are two of the most serious side effects of sleep apnea. For this reason, seeking help at sleep apnea centers is a wise course of action. Anyone who feels he or she may be suffering from this disorder should schedule an appointment with a licensed health care practitioner without delay.
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If you think you might have a sleeping disorder, click this sleep apnea centers link. To find out about a complimentary consultation with Apnea & Snoring Dental Solutions of Portland visit us on the Web today at http://apneaandsnoring.com.
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