Sleep Apnea Is Both A Very Commonly Seen and Occasionally Dangerous Sleep Disorder

Sleep apnea is one of the most commonly seen of all sleep disorders and affects almost 18 million Americans. A sleep disorder which is characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep, sleep apnea is also without doubt the most dangerous of sleep disorders as it deprives the brain of crucial oxygen and sometimes proves to be fatal.

There are two completely different types of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is in essence a neurological disorder where breathing is broken as a result of signals sent from the brain. Obstructive sleep apnea by contrast is in effect a mechanical problem where the windpipe is obstructed either by too much tissue or as a result of the unusual relaxation or collapse of the muscles around the windpipe. In both cases however the results are effectively identical with regular interruptions to normal breathing that starve the brain of oxygen and put the sufferer at greater risk from such things as high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.

Sadly, diagnosing sleep apnea can prove a problem because snoring, which is a common symptom and frequently leads to sleep apnea being referred to as the snoring disease, is also often seen as a symptom of many other medical problems. Snoring is usually present with sleep apnea because the brain reacts to a drop in oxygen by awakening the sufferer enough to restart the breathing process and this generally causes snoring.

This frequent awakening throughout the night also results in a very poor quality of sleep and it is not at all uncommon for sleep apnea sufferers to get up in the morning feeling even more tired than when they got into bed. This also causes a feeling of sheer exhaustion during the day and an overwhelming need to sleep.

However, tiredness arising from a poor quality of sleep is just part of the problem and a variety of other symptoms will almost certainly be seen including headaches in the morning, a lack of memory and a problem in concentrating.

Without treatment the accumulating exhaustion from sleep apnea may produce significant psychological difficulties starting with simple touchiness and progressing to depression with noticeable changes in behavior and mood.

Both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea are treatable and, as long as the condition is diagnosed at an early stage, treatment is often quite easy. For example, minor cases of obstructive sleep apnea resulting from nasal congestion can usually be treated with little more than a course of decongestants. Likewise, a lot of cases of sleep apnea which are not especially serious can be treated with the use of a mask that is worn while sleeping and that provides air at a constant pressure to keep the airway open. Finally, in the most severe cases of sleep apnea surgery may be necessary and can be very effective, although it can also produce a variety of complications and has to be considered with caution.

Probably the most important thing to bear in mind with sleep apnea is that because it carries the potentially fatal risk of respiratory failure sufferers should not be tempted to use sleeping pills or to use other forms of sleep enhancers without first seeking the approval of their doctor.

Natural sleep remedies certainly provide an effective complement to medically prescribed medication and herbs that are intended to improve the quality and duration of sleep can assist in the management of the excessive daytime sleepiness usually accompanying sleep apnea. Similarly, things like aromatherapy, chromatherapy and guided relaxation and meditation can help to reduce the insomnia and anxiety which come with sleep apnea.