Powered by Blogger.

Sleep Apnea Centers Offer Help To Patients

By Rhea Solomon


Sleep apnea is a medical condition that is associated with serious side effects. It causes an individual to experience interrupted breathing throughout the night. In many cases, the patient stops breathing on a continuous basis until he or she awakens for the day. Experts at sleep apnea centers have found that certain individuals unknowingly stop breathing as many as 200 times a night. Fortunately, the condition is treatable.

There are two types of the condition, which are called obstructive or central. The former is the most common form of the disorder, but serious side effects are associated with both. Complete or partial airway blockage results in obstructive apnea, and one often gasps or jerks awake when normal breathing resumes. There are various causes for the obstructive form of the condition, which include a deviated septum, obesity, cardiac disease, allergies, pulmonary disorders, asthma, and sleeping in an improper position.

With the central form of the condition, the obstruction is not in the person's upper respiratory tract, but rather this type is caused by the brain's failure to signal the appropriate muscles to complete a full respiration. This results in instability in the respiratory system. It is considered a disorder of one's nervous system, although the reason it occurs is not yet known.

Interestingly, men suffer from this disorder more than women. Statistics show that the condition occurs in one out of every four males, but only occurs in one out of every ten females. It is not yet known why more men are afflicted with the disorder than women. It is particularly common in overweight individuals, and does not usually manifest for the first time until one is over forty years of age.

The symptoms of this condition are typically noticed by other members of the household before the patient himself or herself realizes that the disorder is present. Loud snoring is one of the most common signs of the condition. Couples often report that the partner who is suffering from the condition jolts awake many times throughout the night, even though he or she may be unaware of the fact that this is occurring.

There are many devices that can be used by those who suffer from this disorder in order to ensure a good night's sleep. These include BPAP masks and similar devices that help to keep the airway clear and opened when one is asleep. However, it is important to seek medical evaluation before using such equipment to treat the condition.

In some instances, the soft palate can be trimmed or other procedures can be completed to decrease the individual's symptoms. Whether or not these procedures are an option will depend on the person's overall health and the type of the condition from which he or she suffers. Simpler treatments include sleeping in a position that promotes good breathing and losing excess weight.

Heart arrhythmias and lack of oxygen to vital organs are 2 detrimental side effects associated with this sleeping disorder. Therefore, it is wise for patients to pursue help at sleep apnea centers where experts can evaluate their situation. Those who suspect they have the aforementioned condition should schedule a consultation with a medical doctor as soon as possible.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment