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Sleep Apnea |
Sleeping Problems (Home) > Sleep Apnea > Learn How to Reduce the Effects of Sleep Apnea Learn How to Reduce the Effects of Sleep ApneaGeneralSleep Apnea is a sleep breathing disorder characterized by loud snoring. The impediment in the breathing process is repetitive and leads to frequent and cyclic 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 is Sleep Apnea?When there is any physical obstruction in the passage of the airways in our body, regular breathing is interrupted. This is caused by either polyps or adenoids in the throat, nasal cavity, the upper trachea, the wind pipe or 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 remain alive, the moment oxygen levels begin to drop in our body systems, the brain sends frantic signals to the concerned muscles to activate the airways come what may. Rest is then interrupted by arousal from sleep and air is forced in, past the obstructions in the airways, causing snoring and accompanied with increased heart beats and a consequent cessation in the recouping process of sleep. How to detect Sleep Apnea?The most evident symptom of Sleep Apnea is loud snoring. This breathing problem results in inadequate sleep. Consequently the body is not rested properly. The following day, therefore, begins with a dull lingering headache. Continuous and repetitive occurrence of inadequate sleep results in high blood pressure. The patient experiences lethargy and loss of attentiveness and is restless. Since the capacity of the lungs is not utilized to its optimum the sacs in the lungs begin to 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. Reducing the effects of Sleep ApneaThe symptoms of Sleep Apnea must be detected early so that a correct diagnosis is made. Once this is done, proper and effective steps can be taken for management of this sleep disorder. The first thing to do is to change the life style so that all the stress in life is reduced or completely obviated. 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.
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. ConclusionSleep Apnea is a commonly occurring sleep disorder which must be detected early and correctly diagnosed so that its effects are obviated with proper and effective management.
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