Never feel rested no matter how much sleep you get? Does your partner frequently complain about your loud snoring? Besides being irritating, these could be signs of obstructive sleep apnea. This sleep disorder occurs when the upper airway is blocked by the narrowing of the respiratory passages. However, sleep apnea can do far more than leave you tired. Without the right treatment, the condition can result in hypertension, depression and even heart trouble. In this article, we'll explain how this sleep disorder works and what you can do to get a better night of rest.
The most common complaints associated with obstructive sleep apnea are loud snoring, disrupted sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness. Patients with apnea suffer from fragmented sleep and may develop cardiovascular abnormalities because of the repetitive cycles of snoring, airway collapse and waking up. Although most patients are overweight and have a short, thick neck, some are of normal weight but have a small, receding jaw. Because many patients are not aware of their heavy snoring and nocturnal arousals, this nocturnal sleep problem may remain undiagnosed.
Sleep apnea can come with other health conditions. Cardiovascular disease is common in patients. Hypertension and obesity increase the risk of cardiac disease and are frequent findings in patients with this sleep disorder. Patients with apnea who are smokers may also have coronary artery disease and obstructive airway disease. Psychosocial problems are common in patients who have sleep apnea. These patients often have depression, mood changes, poor memory, irritability and impaired concentration. Nocturnal panic attacks have also been associated with this sleep disorder.
Sleep medicine isn't enough to treat apnea. Specialists usually recommend weight loss, and dental devices that modify the position of the tongue or jaw. Some doctors may prescribe the use of a CPAP mask. With this method, straps hold the mask firmly over the nose and the CPAP machine that generates the positive airway pressure sits on a table next to the bed. CPAP treatment is used in most patients who have sleep apnea. Jaw surgery is the most invasive surgical procedure used to treat this malady. The surgical procedure may be limited to pulling the tongue forward. An extensive procedure may entail moving both the mandible and maxilla. Extensive jaw surgery has a higher complication rate and a longer recovery time.
Because obstructive sleep apnea disturbs your rest several times a night, you can be very sleepy during the day. Untreated sleep apnea can increase the chance of having high blood pressure and even a heart attack or stroke. Patients also run the risk of diabetes, work-related accidents and driving accidents. If you suspect that you have the condition, then consult a sleep disorder center for a sleep study. They can monitor your symptoms during sleep and prescribe a course of treatment.
For those who can get a quality nights sleep it is unthinkable for somebody to suffer from insomnia or to be worn-out all of the time. Sleep disorders strike millions of people in America and countless other more over the world. The troubles have the capacity to range from simple snoring all the way sleep apnea. It can put unbelievable stress on a marriage if one individual's sleeping sounds greatly influence the other. Intense disorders can likewise become a danger to your life. The best way to ease your nighttime suffering is to obtain as much knowledge and assistance as you possibly can. You can begin getting the assistance you require by clicking here:
Effect Of Insomnia and more information at Child Sleep Disorder and go to Zoloft And Insomnia
0 comments:
Post a Comment