The Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments For Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep. Sleep apnea comes in three different forms: obstructive, central and mixed. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form experienced. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the blockage of airways during breathing. As the soft tissue contracts in the back of your throat, normal breathing becomes obstructed. Central sleep apnea is not the result of blocked passages. In central sleep apnea, muscles that are used during normal breathing do not receive signals from the brain. Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of these two conditions.

Sleep apnea can be caused by a large tongue, large tonsils or other excess tissue in the back of your throat. Irregular sleeping habits, obesity, nasal congestion and blockage can also play a big role.

The symptoms of sleep apnea are as follows: extremely loud snoring, blocked breathing while sleeping, high blood pressure, dry mouth, irritability, fatigue, insomnia, excessive weight gain and frequent gasping and snorting for air while trying to rest.

If you think that you suffer from sleep apnea, get help immediately. Left untreated, the condition can seriously threaten your health. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to respiratory distress, strokes, heart attacks and impotence. Doctors use a particular sleep test (polysomnography) to diagnose the condition. A version of this test is also available for home testing. The test monitors your brain activity, respiration flow, blood oxygen levels and eye movement. The test also monitors your snoring and gasps for air. Taking this sleep test is very important. Once you know the severity of your infliction, you can begin treating your specific form of sleep apnea.

Treatments for sleep apnea vary greatly, depending on the specific nature of your condition. There are anti-snoring devices that can help you breath easier at night. If your case is mild, then losing weight, sleeping on your side and forgoing tobacco, alcohol, sedatives and sleepy pills might help your condition. Airway pressure machines, dental devices, oxygen tubes and surgery are among the more drastic treatments for serious sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea, if left unchecked, will only get worse with age. If you can wake up your neighbors with your snoring, you might want to schedule an appointment to see your doctor. Treatments for sleep apnea are essential, and they work. Not all people who snore are prone to sleep apnea, but if you have frequent breathing issues at night, then chances are you need to get yourself examined by a physician.