If your partner is being kept awake by your snoring or your snoring is loud enough to wake you, then obstructive sleep apnea may be to blame. This condition is caused by repetitive upper airway obstruction during sleep, as a result of a narrowing of the respiratory passages. This results in disrupted sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, and other medical disorders. However, sleep apnea can go unrecognized by both patients and doctors. In this article, we’ll discuss the symptoms of this sleep disorder and your treatment options.
Patients who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea repeatedly go through cycles of sleep, snoring, obstruction, waking up and then falling back to sleep again throughout the night. Some patients with severe apnea may have episodes of upper airway obstruction a hundred or more times in one hour. Some patients have airway obstruction because of a small or receding jaw that results in insufficient room for the tongue. The size of the individual’s neck can also be a contributing factor, as it can affect air flow.
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.
The severity of the symptoms will vary by patient, but it’s important to seek help as soon as possible because the condition can severely affect your overall health. In addition, obstructive sleep apnea causes daytime sleepiness which can result in accidents, lost productivity and interpersonal relationship problems. The sooner you get help, the sooner you can improve your quality of life.
Sleep is certainly necessary for the human body to function properly. The lack sleep can start affecting day to day functions and the thought process. For some sleep is a time to dread because they never feel rested. They sleep unsoundly, have difficulties breathing and sometimes even stop breathing more than once times each night. When they snore they disturb their partners thus end up effecting their relationships. Work begins to become hurt as they continually have a loss of focus and have the capability to concentrate. There is some hope though. There are devices and procedures that can finally furnish them a greater quality of sleep and finally overcome their sleep disorders. Click here for more information:
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