Sleep apnea is a medical condition that occurs when the airways get obstructed when one is sleeping. The obstruction usually results in one stopping breathing and then starting again. The stopping and starting of the breathing process can happen several times in a single sleep session. This process is involuntary, which means that one has no control of it. Treatment for sleep apnea depend on the cause.
However, the condition can also be instigated by a problem of signaling in the brain. Essentially, signals in the brain that control breathing are not correctly transmitted or received when this condition occurs. If obstruction causes this problem, it is known as obstructive sleep apnea and it is the most common cause. Signaling problems cause the other type of disorder referred to as central sleep apnea. This condition is not as common.
When one is experiencing this problem, they stop breathing momentarily until the airways are opened or the breathing signal is received by the brain. When normal breathing is resumed, someone usually snorts or takes a deep breath. Sometimes on may awaken completely with a sensation of choking, smothering, or gasping. If this condition goes on without being treated, the patient is likely to develop depression or heart attack among other conditions.
Treatment is determined by the cause of the condition and how severe it is. All treatment methods usually aim to make the breathing process normal again as one sleeps. There are several effects of normalized breathing including elimination of daytime fatigue. It also helps prevent cardiovascular changes resulting from strain caused by inadequate breathing.
The first step to treating this condition is to necessary lifestyle changes. Research indicates that this problem can be caused in large part by the kind of life one lives. Some of the life modifications that one needs to make include alcohol and smoking cessation, weight loss, and side sleeping. In some people sleep apnea only occurs when they lie on their back, but breathing returns to normal when they sleep on the side.
Such people should ensure they sleep on their side every time. Wearing special devices around the waist or the back to keep one from sleeping on their side is also a treatment approach. Research has concluded that positional therapy is efficient over a long period for one who is not able to wear CPAP.
The blocking of airways that lead to sleep apnea is caused by extra tissue in the throat that collapse as one sleeps. These extra tissues can be removed through surgery to eliminate this problem. The surgery usually targets various areas, which include upper and lower jaws, tongue, tonsils and adenoids, and soft palate and uvula.
Before one undergoes this procedure, they should understand a number of things about it. To begin with, a surgeon should be asked about the rate of success of the procedure. One should also learn about the different treatment choices open to them and why those choices are not suitable in their case. However, one should also be aware of risks and side effects involved in the surgery.
However, the condition can also be instigated by a problem of signaling in the brain. Essentially, signals in the brain that control breathing are not correctly transmitted or received when this condition occurs. If obstruction causes this problem, it is known as obstructive sleep apnea and it is the most common cause. Signaling problems cause the other type of disorder referred to as central sleep apnea. This condition is not as common.
When one is experiencing this problem, they stop breathing momentarily until the airways are opened or the breathing signal is received by the brain. When normal breathing is resumed, someone usually snorts or takes a deep breath. Sometimes on may awaken completely with a sensation of choking, smothering, or gasping. If this condition goes on without being treated, the patient is likely to develop depression or heart attack among other conditions.
Treatment is determined by the cause of the condition and how severe it is. All treatment methods usually aim to make the breathing process normal again as one sleeps. There are several effects of normalized breathing including elimination of daytime fatigue. It also helps prevent cardiovascular changes resulting from strain caused by inadequate breathing.
The first step to treating this condition is to necessary lifestyle changes. Research indicates that this problem can be caused in large part by the kind of life one lives. Some of the life modifications that one needs to make include alcohol and smoking cessation, weight loss, and side sleeping. In some people sleep apnea only occurs when they lie on their back, but breathing returns to normal when they sleep on the side.
Such people should ensure they sleep on their side every time. Wearing special devices around the waist or the back to keep one from sleeping on their side is also a treatment approach. Research has concluded that positional therapy is efficient over a long period for one who is not able to wear CPAP.
The blocking of airways that lead to sleep apnea is caused by extra tissue in the throat that collapse as one sleeps. These extra tissues can be removed through surgery to eliminate this problem. The surgery usually targets various areas, which include upper and lower jaws, tongue, tonsils and adenoids, and soft palate and uvula.
Before one undergoes this procedure, they should understand a number of things about it. To begin with, a surgeon should be asked about the rate of success of the procedure. One should also learn about the different treatment choices open to them and why those choices are not suitable in their case. However, one should also be aware of risks and side effects involved in the surgery.
About the Author:
If you are looking for information about treatment for sleep apnea, come to our web pages today. More details are available at http://www.sleepsystems-llc.com/sleep-apnea now.
No comments:
Post a Comment