Useful Information about Sleep Apnia
Obstructive sleep apnia is a debilitating and irritating disorder that affects the lives of many people across the world today. It is the most common type of sleep apnea and is characterized by cessation of breath during sleeping periods. The upper airway is obstructed in several areas, usually by a reduction in blood oxygen saturation. These obstructions might be excess tissue, enlarged tonsils, and airway muscles that relax and collapse during sleeping periods. Also the way the jaw is structured and an obstruction in the nasal passages can cause some forms of sleep apnea.
There are several symptoms that occur when a person is experiencing sleep apnea. They include excessive sleepiness during the day and many episodes of obstructed breathing during sleep. A person with sleep apnea may snore loudly, have morning headaches and wake up unrefreshed. The person may have an exceptionally dry mouth upon awakening and have high blood pressure. Obesity and irritability are also other symptoms of people with sleep apnea. Sometimes a person’s personality changes dramatically. They may also have heartburn, reduced libido and frequent urination. Their sleep is restless and they may appear to be choking or gasping. Other symptoms may include confusion and a rapid gain of weight.
A person with Obstructive Sleep Apnea may experience other serious diseases if the condition goes undiagnosed. They run the risk of having a heart attack, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats and other cardiac diseases. They also are extraordinarily tired during the day which makes it likely that they will be accident-prone and unproductive at home and at work. Diagnosis for sleep apnea includes a sleep test which is done overnight. The patient is monitored to determine his or her sleep patterns. A home test can also be done to record sleeping functions.
Obstructive Sleep Apnia can be mild, moderate or severe. The mild form can usually be treated by making some type lifestyle or behavioral changes. Moderate to severe sleep apnea is generally treated using a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. Severe sleep apnea is best treated using one of several surgical techniques.