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Snoring |
Sleeping Problems (Home) > Snoring > Breathing Disorders While Sleeping GeneralSnoring at high decibels is the most common breathing disorder. The problem is prevalent in people of all ages. Since snoring is caused by obstructions in the airways patients of asthma or other lung diseases also Suffer from this breathing disorder. What is Sleep?In order to realize the importance of uninterrupted breathing even during sleep we must understand the necessity of sleep. The exact methodology of restoration of our energy and functional abilities with sleep has not been clearly understood. Sleep is said to shut or slow down the various body systems and yet something refills them with energy or life once we awake. The mystery of these restorative powers of sleep is indeed a wonder. A simple everyday activity we indulge in all our lives has such an important role to play. So anything that disrupts the sleep and its restorative powers does not go down well with our system. What Happens?While most bodily functions either slow down or shut off during sleep the cardiac muscles continue to pump life giving blood to every organ. The blood carries oxygen to all parts of the body in a non stop logistic operation. The lungs, therefore, have to continue the respiration process even as we sleep. Due to physical obstructions in the airways in the mouth, nose the wind pipe or even the passage to the stomach the respiration has to slow down. When this happens, levels of carbon dioxide builds up in our body and the heart runs out of oxygen. To obviate life threatening conditions of toxins in the system signals go out the brain to activate the muscles and arouse us from sleep or force in oxygen. This causes enforced respiration past the blocked airways and soon a comfortable level of oxygen is built up in our body. If the airways are not sufficiently activated a condition called apnea builds up leading to cessation of breathing. In some cases it might manifest high blood pressures and other cardiovascular problems even leading to cardiac arrests.
Affected PopulationBreathing disorders in sleep are prevalent in all age groups. In infants it is a serious condition and calls for immediate intervention of the specialist in pediatrics. In the forty plus age group it is a common problem. Surprisingly it afflicts more men than women. In older age groups especially people in their sixties both men and women are equally prone to have sleep related breathing problems. TreatmentThere is no prescribed fool proof treatment. However, it has been found that since obesity aggravates the problem a gradual loss of weight restores the metabolism of the body to optimum levels and there is a definite relief to the patient. In most other cases minor changes to sleeping patterns and styles can obviate the breathing problems. Patients who stopped sleeping on their backs and slept on their sides have improved sleep with little or no breathing problems. ConclusionWhile most sleep related breathing disorders are not life threatening they are serious enough to merit immediate attention.
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