What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea And How Do You Best Deal With It?
Obstructive sleep apnea affects up to four percent of middle-aged adults, yet often goes undiagnosed. As with other sleep disorders, sufferers often experience sleepiness during the day, irritability and a number of other health problems. However, there are apnea treatment options, including surgery, that can relieve the symptoms of the condition. If you suspect that you have apnea, then read on for a list of symptoms to look for and options for treating the condition.
The most common features in patients with obstructive sleep apnea are loud snoring, disrupted sleep, nocturnal gasping and choking, daytime sleepiness and fatigue, and a short, thick neck. The patient is often brought to the physician’s office by a family member who is being disturbed by the patient’s loud snoring. The partner may describe episodes in which the patient stops breathing and then gives a loud gasp or snort when aroused by the apnea. These episodes may be worse after the patient drinks alcohol or takes sleep medicine because these sedatives decrease pharyngeal muscle tone.
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.
Do not let sleep disorders destroy your health as well as your relationships. Numerous couples have been driven to sleep in separate bedrooms since one partner had severe snoring difficulties. Snoring is a sign of a health problem and if it is bad enough, it also can be a threat to your life. Some patients must sleep with special breathing machines to force oxygen into their inner lungs. A sleep disorder can be extremely serious. If you have chronic trouble sleeping, feel overly exhausted regardless of how many hours of sleep you have or have individuals complaining about your snoring, you need to get the right information. Discover that information by clicking here:
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