Sleep Apnea Is Common But Also Can Be A Fatal Sleep Disorder

Sleep apnea is probably the commonest of all sleep disorders and affects almost 18 million people in the US. A sleep disorder that is characterized by broken breathing during sleep, sleep apnea is also indisputably the most dangerous of all sleep disorders because it starves the brain of critical oxygen and occasionally proves to be fatal.

There are two completely separate types of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is basically a neurological disorder in which breathing is broken because of signals sent out by the brain. Obstructive sleep apnea is in effect a mechanical problem where the windpipe is blocked either by too much tissue or by the abnormal collapse or relaxation of muscle tissue in and around the windpipe. In either case however the results are basically identical with recurrent interruptions to normal breathing that starve the brain of oxygen and place the sufferer at greater risk from such things as high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.

Unfortunately, diagnosing sleep apnea can be a problem because snoring, which is one of its commonest symptoms and frequently results in sleep apnea being known as the snoring disease, is also commonly seen as a symptom of a variety of other medical problems. Snoring is certainly usually present in cases of sleep apnea as the brain counters a lack of oxygen by awakening the sufferer sufficiently to restart the breathing process and this generally produces snoring.

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

But, tiredness resulting from a poor quality of sleep is just part of the picture and a range of other symptoms will also generally be seen including headaches in the morning, poor memory and a problem in concentrating.

Without treatment the mounting tiredness resulting from sleep apnea may cause significant psychological problems starting with touchiness and moving on to depression with noticeable changes in mood and behavior.

Both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea can be treated and, provided the problem is diagnosed early enough, treatment is often relatively easy. For example, a minor case of obstructive sleep apnea resulting from nasal congestion can normally be treated with little more than a course of decongestants. Similarly, many cases of sleep apnea which are not particularly serious may be treated with a mask which is worn during sleep and that provides a constant pressure of air to keep the airway open. Finally, in the most serious cases surgery may be required and can be extremely effective, though it could also lead to several complications and has to be considered carefully.

Perhaps the most important thing to bear in mind when it comes to treating sleep apnea is that as it carries with it the potential risk of respiratory failure sufferers should not be tempted to use sleeping pills or to take other types of sleep enhancers without first seeking the approval of a doctor.

Natural sleep remedies can undoubtedly complement prescribed medicines and herbal remedies which are designed to improve the quality and duration of sleep may be of assistance in managing the excessive daytime sleepiness generally accompanying sleep apnea. Similarly, things like aromatherapy, chromatherapy and meditation and guided relaxation will help to reduce the anxiety and insomnia which go along with sleep apnea.