Obstructive Sleep Apnea Considered A Hidden Problem
When people wake up in the morning feeling as though they had little sleep the night before, and their sleep partner is complaining that they sound like a locomotive when they sleep, they may be suffering from a condition called obstructive sleep apnea. This condition is often associated with loud, disruptive snoring regardless of how the person is positioned during sleep as well as feeling tired all the time. They usually wake up numerous times during the night but seldom remember the brief wake period.
One of the main problems with sleep apnea is the person suffering usually does not realize they woke up several times during the evening. Sleep apnea can be in three forms, central, obstructive sleep apnea and mixed. It is caused by the increased carbon dioxide level in the blood and a self-survival mechanism that spurs the body to take a breath, even in their sleep. To appropriately diagnose sleep apnea the person will undergo a polysomnogram, which detects unconscious wake periods. When the person is awakened five or more times per hour, they are concluded to be suffering from sleep apnea.
Snoring is one of the key indicators of obstructive sleep apnea, in that the back of the tongue or the soft tissue in the back of the throat literally flops into the airway. The tissue vibrates, somewhat loudly and can block the throat and the person's ability to breathe. Loud snoring, a major symptom of obstructive sleep apnea often is so loud that it interrupts the sleep pattern of their sleep partner as well.
Treatment Needed To Restore Free Breathing
There are different treatment methods for obstructive sleep apnea that helps maintain open airways during sleep. Treatment can vary from using dental devices to help hold the jaws in the right position for positive ventilation and others attempt to make sure the nasal passages remain open to help discourage obstructive sleep apnea.
One of the most common treatments of obstructive sleep apnea is the use of breathing masks. The sufferer wears the mask while sleeping, which is connected to a breathing pump that forces air into their mouth and nose while they sleep. This mask insures they receive the necessary oxygen while they sleep and prevents period of apnea.
Although the masks are considered a necessary part of the treatment, many find them uncomfortable and refuse to wear them. Newer, more comfortable masks have been developed to make treatment for obstructive sleep apnea more bearable and therefore followed more often.
