What Causes Sleep Apnea and How to Cure It
Sleep Apnea CauseSleep apnea is a sleep disorder that can prove fatal if left untreated. People suffering from this condition often fall asleep quite normally, however once asleep they start to experience short interruptions of breath. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form, and is caused by the muscles in the throat becoming too relaxed and collapsing back down into the airways.
In order to survive, the body sends a signal to the brain that breathing has stopped, and this makes the sufferer wake up and either choke or gasp for air. Sleep apnea usually last for about 10 seconds, but can occur up to 50 times an hour. The person suffering from this sleep disorder is often unaware of it and cannot understand why they feel so tired during the day.
The most common cause of this sleep disorder is obesity as this creates dense tissue in the neck and throat. During sleep the sufferer turns onto their back and muscles such as the tonsils and uvula flop down into the airways causing partial or total blockage. This creates a loud snoring noise and sudden cessation of breath.
It's believed that sleep apnea affects between 18 - 20% of adults in the United States, and is more common in men. Some people have naturally large adenoids, tonsils or uvula, and this can make this sleep disorder more likely. One method to cure this complaint is to undergo laser surgery. This treatment involves burning away excess tissue and is done under a local anaesthetic. It can be painful afterward and in some cases the tissue can grow back again.
The use of a CPAP machine is another effective solution for sleep apnea. This involves the use of a face mask through which air is passed from a small portable machine. This can be uncomfortable to wear but does stop sleep apnea very effectively.
There are dental devices available to treat this condition in mild to moderate cases. The most commonly used is the mandibular device which is attached to the upper jaw, pulling the lower jaw and tongue forward. This keeps the airway open and thus stops it from occurring.
The disadvantage of any device is that it could make sleeping uncomfortable and although it may stop it, this treatment could make falling asleep more difficult. If obesity is the cause for your sleep apnea then it's strongly advisable to start losing weight as soon as possible. You could join a local slimming group for support and visit your doctor for advice on diet.
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