Sleep apnea is a medical condition that is associated with serious side effects. It causes an individual to experience interrupted breathing throughout the night. In many cases, the patient stops breathing on a continuous basis until he or she awakens for the day. Experts at sleep apnea centers have found that certain individuals unknowingly stop breathing as many as 200 times a night. Fortunately, the condition is treatable.
There are two kinds of the disorder, which are referred to as central or obstructive. The latter is the more common, but both have detrimental side effects. The obstructive form of the disorder is characterized by partial or complete blockage in the person's upper airway. Breathing typically resumes with a jerk of one's body or a loud gasping sound. This type of sleep apnea can be the result of various factors, such as obesity, allergies, asthma, a deviated septum, cardiac disease, poor positioning while sleeping, or pulmonary disorders.
Those suffering from central sleep apnea do not have obstructions, but rather they are experiencing a problem in their central nervous system. Their brains do not send the appropriate signals to their muscles, and therefore their respiratory systems do not properly function during the night. It is not yet known why the central nervous system malfunctions this way in some individuals.
Interestingly, the condition is more prevalent in males than females. Research indicates that the disorder afflicts one out of every ten women and one out of every four men. However, the reason for this is not yet known. It is especially common in obese individuals, and typically manifests for the first time after one has reached the age of 40.
The symptoms of this condition are typically noticed by other members of the household before the patient himself or herself realizes that the disorder is present. Loud snoring is one of the most common signs of the condition. Couples often report that the partner who is suffering from the condition jolts awake many times throughout the night, even though he or she may be unaware of the fact that this is occurring.
Patients may enjoy a good night sleep by using certain medical devices. These include equipment such as BPAP masks that are designed to prevent the person's airway from becoming obstructed while he or she is asleep. However, prior to treating the condition with such devices, medical evaluation is important.
In some instances, the soft palate can be trimmed or other procedures can be completed to decrease the individual's symptoms. Whether or not these procedures are an option will depend on the person's overall health and the type of the condition from which he or she suffers. Simpler treatments include sleeping in a position that promotes good breathing and losing excess weight.
Heart rhythm irregularities and lack of oxygen to the organs are two of the most serious side effects of sleep apnea. For this reason, seeking help at sleep apnea centers is a wise course of action. Anyone who feels he or she may be suffering from this disorder should schedule an appointment with a licensed health care practitioner without delay.
There are two kinds of the disorder, which are referred to as central or obstructive. The latter is the more common, but both have detrimental side effects. The obstructive form of the disorder is characterized by partial or complete blockage in the person's upper airway. Breathing typically resumes with a jerk of one's body or a loud gasping sound. This type of sleep apnea can be the result of various factors, such as obesity, allergies, asthma, a deviated septum, cardiac disease, poor positioning while sleeping, or pulmonary disorders.
Those suffering from central sleep apnea do not have obstructions, but rather they are experiencing a problem in their central nervous system. Their brains do not send the appropriate signals to their muscles, and therefore their respiratory systems do not properly function during the night. It is not yet known why the central nervous system malfunctions this way in some individuals.
Interestingly, the condition is more prevalent in males than females. Research indicates that the disorder afflicts one out of every ten women and one out of every four men. However, the reason for this is not yet known. It is especially common in obese individuals, and typically manifests for the first time after one has reached the age of 40.
The symptoms of this condition are typically noticed by other members of the household before the patient himself or herself realizes that the disorder is present. Loud snoring is one of the most common signs of the condition. Couples often report that the partner who is suffering from the condition jolts awake many times throughout the night, even though he or she may be unaware of the fact that this is occurring.
Patients may enjoy a good night sleep by using certain medical devices. These include equipment such as BPAP masks that are designed to prevent the person's airway from becoming obstructed while he or she is asleep. However, prior to treating the condition with such devices, medical evaluation is important.
In some instances, the soft palate can be trimmed or other procedures can be completed to decrease the individual's symptoms. Whether or not these procedures are an option will depend on the person's overall health and the type of the condition from which he or she suffers. Simpler treatments include sleeping in a position that promotes good breathing and losing excess weight.
Heart rhythm irregularities and lack of oxygen to the organs are two of the most serious side effects of sleep apnea. For this reason, seeking help at sleep apnea centers is a wise course of action. Anyone who feels he or she may be suffering from this disorder should schedule an appointment with a licensed health care practitioner without delay.
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If you think you might have a sleeping disorder, click this sleep apnea centers link. To find out about a complimentary consultation with Apnea & Snoring Dental Solutions of Portland visit us on the Web today at http://apneaandsnoring.com.
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