What Are the Causes of Sleep Apnea?
Sleep ApneaSleep apnea is a sleeping disorder caused by an improper breathing cycle. It mostly affects obese and overweight individuals and is the result of blocked airway due to a buildup of soft fat tissue around it. In some other cases, physical conditions, such as abnormally large tonsils, also contribute to the disorder. Though the disorder is more common among adults, it doesn't spare infants and children. Numerous medical and natural sleep apnea cures have come up with the increase in the number of apnea patients.
Causes
The main causes of apnea primarily depend on the specific type an individual is suffering from. There are three types: obstructive, central, and mixed.
1. Causes of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
This type is caused as a result of the narrowing of the airways when the throat muscles relax during sleep and the soft tissue obstructs the airways. This would mean reduced supply of oxygen in the blood, which is enough to send a signal to the brain, which awakens the body briefly for the normal breathing cycle to resume. Usually the suffering individual does not realize having woken up numerous times for a few seconds because of breathing problem. The individual feels restless during the day as the body fails to reach restful stages of sleep. Those who smoke and drink frequently are more vulnerable to obstructive sleep apnea, thus as a cure, it is best recommended that such individuals quit their smoking or drinking habits. For obese individuals who are extremely at the risk of this type of sleeping disorder, specific types of targeted exercises work best.
2. Causes of Central Sleep Apnea
This type is caused as a result of failure of the brain to send signals to the breathing muscles. Resultantly, the muscles relax, thus constricting the airway and preventing the smooth flow of oxygen to the lungs. The individual suddenly wakes up, experiencing shortness of breath. In central cases, once awakened, the individual finds it difficult to get back to sleep. Unlike obstructive sleep apnea patients, who hardly remember sleep interruptions, central sleep apnea patients are more likely to remember them. Supplemental oxygen is usually seen as a sleep apnea alternative treatment. Nasal CPAP is also preferred for such cases. The patient is also advised not to take sedatives or sleeping pills.
3. Causes of Mixed Sleep Apnea
This type is the result of both central and obstructive sleep apnea episodes occurring together. As a result, the patient experiences difficulty breathing during sleep due to constriction of airways and failure of the brain to transmit signals to the breathing muscles.
Common Causes
Some common causes of apnea are physical structure, unhealthy lifestyle habits, medical conditions, etc.
Physical conditions: Obesity, overweight
Unhealthy lifestyle habits: Drinking or smoking, prescription drug overdose, excessive use of sleeping pills and sedatives
Medical conditions: Deformity, GERD, asthma, problem in central nervous system, abnormally large tonsils
When an individual experiences a sleeping disorder, it is best to see the doctor who can diagnose the cause and prescribe appropriate remedy. While medical and natural treatments are both available, it is best to check the severity of the disorder before opting for one particular treatment plan. This disorder can be terribly difficult to deal with, and action should be taken to remedy the problem.
For more information please visit [http://www.sleepapneacuresonline.com/causes-of-sleep-apnea/]