Sleep Apnea-An Extremely Common And Dangerous Sleep Disorder

Introduction

Sleep Apnea is basically a sleep breathing disorder. The most common phenomenon is loud snoring. The restrictions in the breathing process leads to cessation of breathing. When this happens it is called Sleep Apnea. Since it affects the functioning of the lungs and the heart and interferes with the supply of oxygen to the body it assumes worrying proportions.

What happens when you have Sleep Apnea?

When there are physical obstructions in the passage of the airways in our body, regular breathing is interrupted. This is caused by either polyps or adenoids in the mouth, nose, the trachea or the wind pipe and may be in the passage to the stomach. When these airways do not have a clear passage for air, the regular and automatic muscular activity that constitutes respiration is threatened. As a result, breathing stops. This condition is called Apnea. Since respiration must go on for us to live, the moment oxygen levels begin to drop in our body systems, the brain sends signals to the concerned muscles to activate the airways come what may. Sleep is then interrupted and air is forced in past the obstructions in the airways causing snoring, increased heart beats and a consequent cessation in the recouping process of sleep.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

The most evident and obvious symptom of Sleep Apnea is snoring. This breathing problem results in an inadequate sleep and consequently the body is not rested properly. The following day, therefore, begins with a dull lingering headache. Continuous and repetitive occurrence of this results in high blood pressure. The patient experiences lethargy and loss of attentiveness and restlessness. Since the capacity of the lungs is not utilized to its optimum the sacs in the lungs lose their elasticity. The patient then begins to experience lung problems which further aggravate the respiration process. Erratic moods, dryness in the throat especially in the early mornings on waking up and regular morning headaches are preludes to more serious respiratory ailments.

Management of Sleep Apnea

The symptoms of Sleep Apnea must be detected early so that a correct diagnosis is made. Once this is done the proper management of this sleep disorder may begin. The first thing to do is to change ones life style so that all the stress in life is reduced or completely removed. This is done with a series of pro active initiatives. Weight reduction is the foremost preventive step to be taken. The problem of Sleep Apnea afflicts obese people more often. The elderly are also prone to these breathing problems because their muscles are beginning to lose their tone. Such patients need to go to bed after an early light supper as heavy and late meals have found to aggravate the Sleep Apnea. Light exercises like walking helps to keep the lungs and airways activated and muscles required in the respiratory process supple. Breathing during sleep is, therefore, uninterrupted and the quality of sleep improves.

Random Sleeping Tip

Another very common cause that makes people get up several times at night is that they drink a lot of water before going to bed. Therefore it is important that you do not drink fluids before going to bed so that you are able to avoid getting up several times at night. It is best that you take fluids about 2 to 3 hours before going to bed.

Infant Sleep Apnea is associated with other problems and must be handled with the advice of a pediatrician. Serious obstructions of the airways by polyps and adenoids must be surgically removed.

Conclusion

Sleep Apnea is a commonly occurring but a potentially dangerous sleep disorder which must not be neglected. Detected early and correctly diagnosed properly the problem can be effectively managed.

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