What Is Sleep Apnea All About?
Greek in origin, the word apnea literally means “breathe”. Those suffering from sleep apnea are unable to breathe properly during the most crucial REM sleep phase. There is a blockage in the airways causing them to stop breathing for short stints and then gasping for air. Over and over again, throughout the night, this causes the body to not be well rested and the sufferer wakes up without that refreshed, rejuvenated feeling from a full nights’ rest.
We only have one body to last us a lifetime, thus proper care and maintenance is of utmost importance. Knowing you have an ailment or condition and ignoring it is certainly not healthy and can lead to other complications down the line. For instance, patient’s suffering from sleep apnea should take proper measures for treatment or risk other more serious and severe medical problems down the road. Imagine your body being worn down, night after night, from sleep deprivation. Energy levels plummet, concentration is affected and every day functions would seem impossible.
The patient doesn’t always know they have sleep apnea because most of the symptoms occur while they are in dreamland. Anyone sleeping next to a sleep apnea sufferer can definitely hear the grunt pattern and gurgled snoring, making detection easier. The patient will often be awakened in the middle of the night because the brain sends a signal that it isn’t getting enough oxygen so it will try and wake the person up as a defense.
Just the mere point that night breathing isn’t up to par is alarming. Your body isn’t circulating that necessary oxygen to other parts. The cardiovascular system needs a certain amount of oxygen in the blood for smooth circulation and efficient operation. If sleep apnea is left untreated, you run a greater risk for high blood pressure and other cardiac complaints. It makes sense also that if you already are a cardiac patient, sleep apnea can only compound these issues.
The best defense for anything in life is a great offense. Symptoms are the body’s way of telling you there is a problem. Arm yourself with knowledge. Pay attention to your body and its messages, and then do research to find the most appropriate action. You can browse the internet and find tons of useful information on any topic known to man. Sleep apnea is no different. Support groups and community forums online also provide a good venue to talk to other sufferers and their best treatment recommendations. The worst thing you can do is pretend nothing is wrong. Talking to others about your condition helps settle your own fears about being alone in this situation, and they might just have a suggestion that can turn your life around.
After you’ve gained the basic understanding of the symptoms and treatments, the next step is acting on them. You’ll find that a great majority of sleep apnea sufferers are overweight. By trimming back those extra pounds, you will find yourself breathing easier at night. As a bonus effect, a healthy diet and maintaining an ideal body weight spill over into other aspect concerning your overall health as well. You’ll become more fit and trim and energy levels, confidence and endurance are heightened.
Look into medical and dental services that provide sleep apnea relief as well. There are several devices available to aid in unblocking the airway that may be just what the doctor ordered for treatment of your condition. Nasal sprays and strips, as well as a variety of bite guards are on the market to assist. And if these solutions don’t provide the necessary relief, consult your primary care provider for possible surgical intervention or a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) appliance.
Whatever treatment road you go down, the most important thing to remember is you are providing your body with the necessary tools to live a long and healthy life. You only get one body… take proper care of it.
