Sleep Apnea Is A Widespread and Sometimes Fatal Sleep Disorder

Sleep apnea is possibly the commonest of all sleep disorders and affects approximately eighteen million people in the US. A sleeping disorder characterized by broken breathing during sleep, it is also unquestionably the most dangerous of sleeping disorders because it starves the brain of crucial oxygen and can occasionally prove to be fatal.

There are two totally distinct forms of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is essentially a neurological condition in which breathing is broken because of signals sent from the brain. Obstructive sleep apnea is essentially a mechanical problem in which the windpipe is blocked either by too much tissue or as a result of the unusual collapse or relaxation of the muscles around the windpipe. In either case however the results are essentially the same with numerous interruptions to the breathing that deprive the brain of oxygen and place sufferers at heightened risk from such things as high blood pressure, stroke and heart attack.

Regrettably, diagnosing sleep apnea is not always easy because snoring, which is one of its commonest symptoms and often results in sleep apnea being called the snoring disease, is also present as a symptom of various other medical problems. Snoring is usually present in cases of sleep apnea because the brain reacts to a lack of oxygen by waking the sufferer enough to restart the breathing process and this often gives rise to snoring.

This frequent awakening during the night also produces a very poor quality of sleep and it is not at all uncommon for sufferers to wake up in the morning feeling more tired than when they went to bed. This also results in a feeling of sheer exhaustion during the course of the day and an overwhelming desire to sleep.

However, tiredness resulting from a poor quality of sleep is only one part of the picture and a variety of other symptoms will also generally be present including headaches in the morning, forgetfulness and a difficulty in concentrating.

Left untreated the growing exhaustion resulting from sleep apnea may cause significant psychological difficulties starting with touchiness and moving on to depression with noticeable changes in mood and behavior.

Both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea are treatable and, providing the condition is diagnosed at an early stage, this treatment can often be reasonably simple. For instance, minor cases of obstructive sleep apnea caused by nasal congestion can commonly be treated with little more than decongestants. Similarly, many cases of sleep apnea that are not particularly severe may be treated with the use of a mask that is worn during sleep and that provides a constant pressure of air in order to keep the airway open. Lastly, in the most severe cases of sleep apnea surgery may be necessary and can be very effective, although it could also result in numerous complications and must be approached with caution.

Possibly the most important thing to remember with sleep apnea is that as it carries with it the potential risk of respiratory failure sufferers ought not to be tempted to use sleeping pills or to take other forms of sleep enhancers without the approval of their doctor.

Natural sleep remedies can unquestionably complement medically prescribed medicines and herbal remedies that are designed to improve the quality and duration of sleep can help in the management of the excessive daytime sleepiness normally brought on by sleep apnea. Similarly, such things as aromatherapy, chromatherapy and guided relaxation and meditation can help to reduce the insomnia and anxiety that accompany sleep apnea.

Keywords: