Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder. There are an estimated sixteen million untreated cases in just the United States. Sleep apnea is usually identifiable through a person’s severe snoring paired with occasional stops in breathing throughout the night. These stops in breathe can last more than thirty seconds and sometimes happen as many as thirty times in an hour. The risk of sleep apnea increases as one ages. It is more likely in men than women, at least for younger individuals.

Sleep apnea goes undiagnosed at an unprecedented rate. This is because it is difficult for a doctor, let alone a patient to know it exists. The identifying symptoms occur during sleep when they can’t be easily observed. However, a stay in a sleep clinic can be helpful. So too can the observations of a bed partner.

Varieties of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea comes in two forms. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common. It involves some sort of blockage in the airway. Breathing is hindered from enlarged glands, excess tissue in the throat, problems with bone structure, or excess skin around the neck. There are many potential causes of obstructive sleep apnea, but all result a blocked or collapsed airway.

This condition is dangerous because as a person periodically stops breathing, the oxygen level of the body can drop dangerously low. This forces the heart to work extra hard, trying to circulate blood. Eventually the body reacts as if suffocating. Loud gasps and chokes for breath occur. Stress hormones are released and a person may partially wake up.

Central sleep apnea is the second variety. Although much less common, it has similar results on the body. In this type, breathing problems are a result of problems with the brain. Signals sent to important muscles involved in respiration are often delayed. This results in a cessation of breathing. The body reacts as if suffocating and releases adrenaline as the person gasps for breathe.

Although these types of sleep apnea have very different causes, the results are similar. Oxygen supply is not maintained at appropriate levels. Sleep is disrupted by the release of stress hormones resulting from perceived suffocation. Left untreated, many cardiovascular problems could result. High blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and heart attacks become more common.

Getting Help

It isn’t always easy to identify sleep apnea. So many cases go untreated simply because those with them aren’t aware of it. However, if you have any suspicion that you could be at risk, it is good to take action and find out if you have sleep apnea. Visiting a sleep clinic is the most surefire way to find out, although it can be expensive. Often a spouse or roommate is able to identify the symptoms while you sleep. It is also possible to record yourself during sleep and then review the findings during the day.

Once you are diagnoses with sleep apnea, it is possible to decide on appropriate treatment options. Most cases can be solved through behavior therapy. Many times losing weight is the best treatment. Some extreme cases require surgery. There are also many breathing devices that have been shown successful in treating a variety of sleep apnea cases.

Seeing your doctor or sleep specialist is an essential step. Each sleep apnea case has its own unique causes and may require certain treatments.

You can find tons of info about sleep apnea on the internet. For more information take a look at this site on what is sleep apnea.

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