Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Sleep ApneaSleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that results in breathing pauses or shallow breaths while sleeping. Obstruction of the upper airway during sleep causes the cessation of breath termed as "apnea". This obstruction occurs when airway muscles including the tongue become too relaxed during sleep resulting in the reduction of oxygenation in the blood. A loud, choking sound is produced when breathing resumes as air abruptly pushes the muscles out of the way. This process is repeated several times during sleep.
Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is a chronic illness characterized by interruptions in breathing resulting in poor sleeping patterns which happens several times each week. This condition often leads to other health problems including fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and morning headaches.
How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?
It is difficult to diagnose the disease and specialists have a hard time identifying the condition. It cannot be verified in any regular laboratory examinations either. A lot of people suffer from this disorder but remain unaware of their condition since the symptoms only occur during sleep. A bed partner or a family member may be able to confirm the signs of the condition.
Sleep apnea, when left untreated, can cause the increase of blood pressure, heart attack, or an early death as a result of repeated oxygen deprivation. Since sleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening condition, immediate preventive measures must be initiated before the disorder gets worse. This condition usually worsens with age advancement.
Lifestyle changes such as increased physical activity, proper diet, and sleeping on one side are often recommended for people experiencing mild sleep apnea. Oral devices have been designed to keep the airway free from obstruction and lessen snoring in three different ways: by raising the soft palate, by placing the jaw forward, or by keeping the tongue from falling in and blocking the airway.
CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is a medical intervention for moderate to more serious cases of apnea. This is a respiratory equipment which puffs air into the nose through a tubing and on to a mask. The three components include the compressor, the tubing, and the mask or cannula. The continuous air pressure holds the airway open, promoting an unobstructed breathing to the user while sleeping. This also lessens the snoring that characterizes the disorder.
Surgical treatments for sleep apnea include tracheostomy, mandibular myotomy, and ovulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP).
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