Sleep Apnea

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea and How to Treat it

Sleep apnea is the one of the most common and maybe the most dangerous sleeping disorders. About 18 million Americans are estimated to have this serious chronic disorder. Discovered in 1965, sleep apnea is characterized by cessations of breathing during sleep. People with sleep apnea do not get enough oxygen during sleep and may develop more serious problems such as depression, irritability, impotence, slow reactions, slow learning, drowsiness, and bad interpersonal relationships. There are two major types of sleep apneas: obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and central sleep apnea.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea: This is a lot more common than central sleep apnea. It is characterized by excess tissue, large tonsils, throat muscles or the tongue blocking the airway.

Central Sleep Apnea: This is characterized by the brain failing to send signals to promote breathing. It is not as common as OSA, but this is harder to diagnose.

Sleep apnea could be a life-threatening disorder and should be treated immediately when discovered. The extreme risks of obstructive sleep apnea are stokes, heart attacks, sexual dysfunction, and accidents due to sleepiness. You should suspect sleep apnea when you frequently stop breathing during sleep, and feel very sleepy and tired during the day. It is accompanied with lou§yßgoring, insomnia, morning headache and difficulty focusing.

And be sure to check out our pages about Sleep Disorders, Sleeping Pills, Sleep Problems, Sleep Aids, and Lack Of Sleep elsewhere on this site.