There are three different types of sleep apnea, "obstructive" being the most common, and this is the type we are mainly looking at here. This term, refers to a breathing disorder which happens when the patient is sleeping and their breathing undergoes brief and repeated interruptions. This condition was discovered not that long ago, in the 60s, I think. It is more common in drinkers and smokers and people who are overweight. It has been connected with, strokes, and also cardiopulmonary problems, it is also extremely common, and is reported to affect about twelve million Americans. This condition can be a life-threatening disorder.
Unfortunately, the individual who suffers from sleep apnea is usually the last one to know. Symptoms Obviously because symptoms occur when the persons asleep, they are normally first noticed by their partner. Some of the symptoms are noisy and persistent snoring, the stopping and starting of breathing while asleep, and falling asleep at inappropriate times of the day. More signs of sleep apnea are, falling asleep while driving, at work or sitting in a chair. Also depression, forgetfulness, and irritability are some more symptoms to look out for. You should go and see your doctor if you have daytime sleepiness, or if your family sees any signs of obstructive apnea. Some of the above mentioned symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea may cause a severe impact on the patient's health and well being, and possibly even relationships. As you can see, this problem can have a knock on effect in a lot of areas of your life Treatment Diagnosis and treatment are really essential, and there are a number of treatments available for this condition, including the treatment of the underlying cause.
The most common treatment for apnea is (CPAP) which stands for, continuous positive airway pressure. The usual treatment for children who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea is removal of the tonsils and also the adenoids. It must be noted that the treatment of this malady can be surgical or nonsurgical. To end on a positive note, with the correct treatment, it is quite possible for patients with sleep apnea to have a good quality of life. As always if you have any concerns, consult a medical professional.
Sleep ApneaJames Hunaban is the owner of http://health-concerns.net a site full of health information.