Treatment For Sleep Apnea

Getting treatment for sleep apnea is imperative now that more is known about the risks associated with this noisy sleep disorder. Sleep apnea is when a person stops breathing for 10 seconds or longer during sleep. The problem may be mild to strong based on the number of times per hour that breathing stops. The number of breathing stoppages can range from 5 to 50 times per hour. If you are unsure if you have sleep apnea, our quick online sleep apnea test can give you an indication.

The most common type of sleep apnea is known as obstructive sleep apnea.

Causes of obstructive sleep apnea

Blocked or reduced airways in the nose, mouth or throat can cause sleep apnea. This is typically the result of relaxed throat and tongue muscles narrowing the airways when lying in bed during sleep. Sleep apnea can also occur if you have a problem with your jaw.

In children the most common causes of sleep apnea are tonsils or polyps.

You are at greater risk of sleep apnea, if you are overweight, drink alcohol in the hours before bed, sleep on your back or take sedatives. Find out about the weight gain sleep apnea connection.

Symptoms of sleep apnea

The main symptoms of sleep apnea are:
• Feeling sleepy during the day during work or while driving.
• Feeling tiredness in the morning.
• Awakening with a headache.

Bed partners may comment that during sleep, you seem to have trouble breathing, you snore badly, you gasp for air and are very restless in bed.
 
Children with sleep apnea:
• Usually snore.
• May have trouble breathing during sleep.
• May be restless during sleep and wake up frequently.

Although daytime sleepiness in typical in adults with sleep apnea, this may not be obvious in children. Some children with sleep apnea do not grow so fast that most children that age.

Sleep apnea is associated with a number of serious health problems such as:
• Hypertension (or high blood pressure)
• High blood pressure in the lungs.
• Irregular heart rhythm, heart problems, coronary artery disease and stroke.
• Depression

Can sleep apnea cause death?

How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

A doctor will examine you and about your health history. You and your bed partner will also be asked about snoring, sleep behavior and tiredness during the day.
Your doctor may arrange a sleep study. A sleep study, usually occurs in a sleep center, where you stay for a night, where doctors can monitor how often you stop breathing and how much oxygen enters your lungs. The doctor may also order blood tests and x-rays.

How is it treated?

You may be able to implement an effective treatment for sleep apnea by making small lifestyle changes and changes to sleeping habits. For example:
• Losing 10% of your body weight can make a big difference if you are overweight.
• Sleeping on the side and not your back.
• Avoiding alcohol and drugs as sedatives before bedtime.
 
If you have moderate to severe sleep apnea, you may be recommended to use a sleep apnea device (CPAP machine) while you sleep to improve air flow.

Milder cases may be helped by the sleep apnea pillar procedure.

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