Sleep apnea is a medical condition which is characterised by poor breathing or pauses in breathing while sleeping. The condition affects children and adults. The pauses can occur several times during the night, and can last from just a few seconds to a couple of minutes. People who suffer from this condition are sometimes unaware that they have it because the signs and symptoms can often be associated with other things. Symptoms generally include sleepiness during the daytime, fatigue, restless sleep, and poor vision. If you believe that you might have sleep apnea, it is advisable that you talk to your doctor in order to be diagnosed. Sometimes people who experience the symptoms described above are misdiagnosed, so you have to bring up the condition called sleep apnea with your doctor when you discuss your symptoms. Even if you do not have this problem, it is a good idea to have it ruled out as a possible cause for your symptoms.
There are two methods that are used to diagnose sleep apnea. These are a sleep study which is called polysomnogram, and then there is the home diagnostic test called Oximetry. Both tests are performed overnight. If you have been diagnosed as having the condition it is important that you get the correct treatment, otherwise it could lead to further health problems in future, which could be more serious. The most common cause of sleep apnea is when there is an obstruction to the airways. The obstruction is caused by the soft muscle tissue of the throat collapsing when relaxed. In cases of this type of sleep apnea one of the best treatment options is to use a face mask when sleeping, thereby forcing the airways to remain open. This treatment option is called 'continuous positive airway pressure'. This is usually the best treatment option for people who have the condition because they are obese or because they are older in age.
This treatment will include a personally fitted mask. The pressure set will be prespecified by your doctor. Sometimes it will include a humidifier. This treatment option is often prescribed for people with mild to severe sleep apnea. However, some people can not tolerate sleeping with a mask. In this instance they can opt to have surgery to have some of the obstructive tissue removed. Another treatment option is to use a sleep aid that positions the body in a certain way so as to enable the person to sleep in a manner that does not obstruct their breathing. These include wedges and nasal pillows. There are also dental devices that are used to reposition the lower jaw. Some people suffer from this condition because they are smokers. In this case the best treatment is simply to quit smoking. For obese people the best option is simply to lose weight. And in mild cases the patient only has to elevate their upper body by 30 degrees when sleeping.
It is not necessary to continue suffering from sleep apnea. With treatment sufferers will experience less daytime sleepiness, fatigue, memory loss and poor attention spans. It can also help to alleviate many other chronic health problems including heartburn, heart failure, depression and erectile dysfunction, which are usually secondary results of sleep apnea. It also helps to prevent things such as car accidents that can occur due to poor concentration and exhaustion. Recent studies have also shown that sleep apnea treatments can also assist with different things such as blood pressure, thereby eliminating the need to take medication for blood pressure. It is very important to seek treatment because if not the risk of sudden death is greatly increased.
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