Examine Obstructive Sleep Apnea - The Anatomy additional

Sleep Apnea

Whilst dealing with exactly why sleep apnea comes about you need to grasp some of the anatomy within the neck and throat as well as the air passages.

The air we need goes into your body by way of the air passages in your mouth and nose. The air then travels down inside the pharynx (neck) to the trachea (wind pipe), and following that to the lung area. The reverse applies after we let out the breath.

Typically this is not a problem, however in sleep apnea there will be hindrances to that effortless flow of fresh air. Now this is frequently a result of the muscle groups within the neck loosening up while we slumber, allowing the throat to collapse, in addition to the tongue dropping backward and barring the respiratory tract. Furthermore, should you be overweight this puts added stress on the throat causing it to collapse more readily. This situation is clearly much worse if you are resting on your back, since gravitational pressure makes it much simpler for your tongue and palate to slip backward constricting or decreasing the dimensions of your air way.

This blockage therefore means you can not get the air into the lungs as you must. As a result your blood quantities of CO2 starts to go up. This process increases the degree of input your brain directs to your respiratory muscle groups, and at the same time starts to wake you up. Sooner or later the brain delivers adequate drive to your respiratory muscles to overcome this obstruction, typically with a snort or even a splutter, and you receive the air to the lungs. Unfortunately the process repeats time and again, and each and every instance you get woken from a deeper slumber to a light, significantly less nourishing sleep.

Precisely why does this situation take place?

Before we can easily reveal why the muscle groups collapse in the way they do, you must understand a bit of how muscle tone operates. Most people have a tendency to imagine muscle groups as being rather passive right up until we utilize them immediately after which they become extremely lively, yet, in reality they are really continually active to a point. The resting tone of any muscle group is caused by all the input which it receives from its nerve supply. This nerve supply happens to come indirectly from a region of your brain referred to as the cerebellum and also out of the frontal lobes.

The frontal lobes are the parts in the top and front of your brain. As just one of their several tasks they promote the resting tone of muscle groups within the body. Resting tone is additionally influenced by the cerebellum. Problems or maybe decline in activity in either of the above 2 parts will certainly create a decline in muscle tone within the body.

However if you are sleeping, the processes in the frontal lobes diminishes and you also will not be keeping the equivalent amount of activity within your cerebellum as well. This will mean that the activation coming to the muscle groups becomes reduced in addition. As a consequence their particular tone will lower, which may mean they are going to be more floppy. This process is usual.

Now for some individuals this isn't really a difficulty as the tone (which is the activity inside their brain) was in fact relatively good in the first place, then when they lowered their activity in deep sleep there is adequate tone left to help keep the air way unblocked. Yet a number of people are lacking enough tone inside the muscles in the first place and with the decline in brain activity they will not have adequate tone to help keep the respiratory tract totally or maybe even somewhat open. Thus one of the several purposes of a sleep apnea exercise course must be to raise the levels of activity within your frontal lobes, the cerebellum as well as the brainstem locations where your nerve fibers to your throat muscles come out. This approach may help tackle the factors behind sleep apnea as opposed to merely the symptoms.

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Obstructive Sleep Apnea - The Anatomy

Sleep Apnea

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Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea is estimated to affect over 20 million people in the United States alone. Perhaps you are one of them. Maybe someone you love has just been diagnosed, or worse yet could be one of the 95% of cases that go undiagnosed each year. Below are some of the treatments and cures that we have found. We hope you find them useful.

If you are lucky enough to have light sleep apnea, there are some steps you can take to alleviate your symptoms and perhaps eliminate them all together.

Stop using anything that relaxes the muscles in your throat before going to bed - This includes alcohol, sedatives, or tobacco. If you must drink, try to finish up 3-4 hours before bed.

Lose some weight - Studies have shown that losing just 10% of your current body weight can improve your sleep quality and reduce sleep apnea.

Keep regular sleep hours - Getting to bed at a consistent time time helps level out your body's natural sleep cycle and encourages restful sleep.

Raise the head of your bed a few inches - Raising up your bed just 4-6 inches can make a difference in the quality of sleep that you can get each night.

Open up your nasal passages with Breath Right strips, nasal spray, or a nasal dilator.

If the above remedies are not getting the results you desire, please consider seeking medical attention with a sleep specialist or a dentist that specializes in dental sleep medicine. Once diagnosed properly the most common treatments are as follows:

Lower jaw adjustment devices, dental appliances, and oral devices - Lower jaw devices fit around the head and correct the position of the jaw which increases air flow while you sleep. Dental appliances are like a mouth guard and work in a similar manner.

While the oral devices are less cumbersome than other methods they must be closely watched by your dentist to ensure that no damage or excessive soreness in your mouth occurs.

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) - CPAP is the most commonly prescribed treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea. It consists of a mask that is connected to a device that keeps a positive flow of pressure in your airway to keep your soft tissues from collapsing. In the past, many users complained about the devices being uncomfortable or difficult to use. The latest models have greatly improved and bring increased comfort in a smaller size.

Surgery - While considered a last resort for some, surgery remains a viable solution be increasing the airway. The potential benefits should be weighed against the chance for infection, complications, or potentially worsening the problem. This treatment should not be taken lightly, and should be discussed with your medical provider.

For those who find these options unattractive there are some alternative treatments that have been found as well. Please take these with a grain of salt.

Playing the didgeridoo - A 2005 study in the British Medical Journal found that learning and practicing the didgeridoo helped reduce snoring and sleep apnea as well as daytime sleepiness. This appears to work by strengthening muscles in the upper airway, thus reducing their tendency to collapse during sleep.

Herbal Cures - Herbalist Steve Frank currently promotes an herbal remedy called Sleep Apnea Relief™. His product uses lobelia to stimulate the respiratory system as well as other herbs to counteract nausea. He claims to have had great success with the product and currently sells it online.

Sleep apnea is a serious condition. Our hope is that the information has helped you in making an informed decision in your choices for treatment and cures.

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Sleep Apnea Cures?

Sleep Apnea

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Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure devices (BiPAP) are a variation on the CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines and both are prescribed for use with the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Both machines work by pumping airflow through sleep apnea masks to the nasal passageway that is connected via tubing to the BiPAP machinery. Unlike the CPAP which provides airflow at a constant rate and pressure throughout the night, BiPAP adjusts to the amount of air needed based on your inspiration and expiration, changing the level of airflow pressure according to your breathing rhythm.

A sleep study is performed to establish if the patient has obstructive sleep apnea, and to assess which machine will be most suitable for that person's treatment. In most cases it will be CPAP therapy that is prescribed after the sleep study and this form of treatment is covered by most insurance company policies. However, as the bi-level positive airway pressure devices are more expensive, some insurance companies will not cover this form of treatment unless it is prescribed as necessary by a physician.

For continued cover of the costs involved, both Medicare and private medical insurers will insist upon follow up consultations with your physician. This is in order to establish and document that the use of either machine is providing an improvement in your symptoms. As both CPAP and BiPAP are treatments that require continuous use every night to improve symptoms and quality of life. Many people find that they cannot use this form of sleep apnea treatment for many reasons as discussed below. It is important to tell your physician if you are finding it difficult to wear the device and they may be able to provide a different sleep apnea mask that is more comfortable for you to wear and use.

The benefits of using CPAP and BiPAP machines

Many studies have shown that CPAP therapy is the best treatment available for severe sleep apnea currently available today. Both bi-level positive airway pressure and continuous positive airway pressure are considered medically safe and effective for use in adults and children alike. Obstructive apnea is effectively treated with continued use and is generally a more effective treatment than undergoing surgery.

Health benefits include:

Drowsiness or sleepiness during the day will improve or be cured

Reaction times and concentration levels often increase with treatment

Both hypertension symptoms and heart function improve with continuous use

Quality of life of the obstructive sleep apnea sufferer improves

The risks of developing other serious diseases that are attributed to severe sleep apnea are reduced

Some studies indicate that life expectancy could be increased

Problems associated with CPAP/BiPAP machine use include:

Due to the rather cumbersome machinery involved the first few nights of usage are often difficult for most patients. Patients either have less sleep than normal or find it impossible to sleep due to discomfort in wearing the sleep apnea masks associated with both machines.

Other possible side effects of usage include:

Feeling claustrophobic or a sense of slow suffocation

Problem with exhalation

Sore/dry throat sensation or sore eyes upon waking

Nasal congestion or sinus problems

Headache

Nose bleeding

Discomfort of the chest muscles which is due to the increased lung volume from the forced airflow

Sleep apnea masks problem like rashes and skin chafing and bruising, or conjunctivitis from an air leakage due to incorrect and loose fitting of the device

Inability to sleep properly long term due to either discomfort or the sound of the machine through the night

It is thought that as many as half of patients who are prescribed with this form of therapy discontinue this form of treatment for one or more reasons

Bi-level positive airway pressure devices can also be used for the treatment of Hypercapnia and some forms of restricted lung disease.

While it is true that this form of obstructive sleep apnea treatment is difficult for the patient to get used to, the benefits of use and subsequent quality of life improvement out way the problems associated with CPAP/BiPAP therapy. Regular follow-up sessions with a physician can help to overcome the difficulty in using and fitting this device and lead to a long term solution for the sleep apnea sufferer.

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Cures For Sleep Apnea? Try Wearing a Mask to Bed

Sleep Apnea Mask

Sleep Apnea Mask

While sleep apnea is not normally considered to be a serious disease it can have a very negative affect on your life and, if left untreated, could result in death.

Some of the numerous dangers of this sleep disorder include daytime sleepiness, hypertension and even possible heart failure. However, there are non-invasive cures or treatments for sleep apnea that do not require surgery and bring relief from this condition.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
This is probably the most common non-invasive device used to treat sleep apnea. It consists of a machine, tubes and a mask that you wear over your nose. A CPAP machines works by providing pressurized air which pushes the tongue forward and opens your airways. This device is normally prescribed for people who have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. However, it has also shown to be effective for people who have more serious sleep apnea. A CPAP machine is available only through a prescription from your doctor.

The downside of CPAP is that it is uncomfortable to wear. Some people who have been given CPAP machines end up either not using it or wearing it for only a few hours are days. Because of this, the manufacturers of CPAP machines have created improvements such as a heated humidifier that provides moist, warm air. This prevents you from having a dry mouth and sore throat, making it easier to tolerate the mask. Another new feature of CPAP machines is called ramping. It provides a low pressure as you first fall asleep and then gradually increases air pressure during the night.

Bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP)
These machines push a steady level of pressure into your airway throughout the night. The machine prove oides veering levels of pressure that decrease as you breathe out and increase as you inhale. BiPAP machines are normally more expensive than CPAP machines, but some patients find that is the varying levels of pressure they provide are more comfortable and easier to tolerate then the level CPAP machines.

Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV)
This type of machine stores your breathing patterns as information in a computer and uses it to prevent airflow disruptions. The way it does this is by releasing pressure that normalizes your breathing process. It is a newly approved device and has shown to produce higher success rates for sleep apnea sufferers.

Mouthpiece
Mouthpieces are oral devices that are now commonly used to prevent the breath pauses this disorder. They are easier to use, cheaper, smaller and have become a good alternative to sleep CPAP machines. Originally, mouthpieces were prescribed only for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, but they have now proved to be effective in treating even severe cases.

The mandibular advancement device (MAD) is one of the most common mouthpieces now prescribed. It has to be made up by your dentist or orthodontist. It is custom fit to your mouth and looks like the mouth guards used by athletes. The way it prevents apnea events is by pushing your lower jaw forward and adjusting your tongue, to keep it from blocking your airway.

Another common device is called a tongue restraining device or TRD. This device is held by the teeth and pushes your tongue forward to keep your airway open. Like the MAS mouthpiece, the TRD device mist be prescribed by your doctor and made by a dentist or orthodontist.

Whether your doctor prescribes a device such as a CPAP or BiPAP machine or mouthpiece will depend mostly on the severity of your sleep apnea and your own personal feelings. But the important thing is to get a definitive diagnosis and then begin treatment before the condition become even more serious and has even a more negative affect on your life.

Douglas Hanna is a free lance writer who has written on a wide range of topics, including sleep apnea cures, sleep apnea treatment and sleep apnea and the power of tea.

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Sleep Apnea Side Effects

Sleep Apnea

If sleep apnea side effects were not so serious, many people would be happy to go to sleep. But it's not so easy to sleep when you know that you have a real problem with sleep apnea.

As time passes, sleep apnea (SA) becomes more serious and dangerous to your life. All aspects of your life will be affected, including quality of life and psychological problems.

If you have SA, you will start with a very bad sleep, with nights struggling to breathe and noisy snoring that will make your partner to wonder about you and your future together.

You will have negative changes in personality, a poor work performance and a continuous decrease of quality of life.

And this is only the beginning...

Let's suppose that you avoid to treat sleep apnea for a period of time. What will happen to you?
Well, at first you will be affected by serious health problems, such as:

* heart arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm

This problem is very common at patients with SA. Your heart may have long pauses between beats, even 2 or 3 seconds long, or extra beats.

Arrhythmia, which appear during sleep, is a risk of sudden death. If you didn't know this, now you have a reason to be afraid to sleep.

The good news is that when you start CPAP therapy, this problem will disappear.

* There is a strong correlation between sleep apnea and obesity. Obesity is known to have an influence on sleep disordered breathing, and to affect sleep quality.

* low blood oxygen level is another one of the typical SA side effects responsible for worsening your health.

Your blood oxygen level will decrease during the night. With each apnea episode, your blood oxygen will drop to an abnormal level and affect your cells. The most affected organ of your body will be the brain.
That's why you may have memory loss, strange judgments, loss of balance and loss of proper coordination of movements. You'll be surprised to find simple work tasks to be too difficult to do.

* high blood pressure symptoms appear as effects of your low blood oxygen level. If this symptoms continue to appear, the risk of stroke will increase to an alarming level.

* SA and congestive heart failure are often found together, especially if you have central SA.
This side effect of SA results from delivery of low blood oxygen level to the body tissues.

* Scientists have found that sleep deprivation from SA disorder may be an important risk factor in the development of diabetes.

* car accidents are very common at drivers with SA.

The main reason is drowsy driving, which results from excessive daytime sleepiness.

* Can sleep apnea cause death?

Knowing all SA side effects, you will now wonder if sleep apnea is deadly. And I think you already know the answer, isn't it?

Unfortunately, there is more side effects of SA:

Your quality of life will be seriously affected.

SA and depression is a tough combination. The risk of depression rises when you see your work performance is affected or your bed partner announces to leave you.

Psychological problems, like irritability, anger, loss of memory and confusion will slowly destroy your mental health.

Enough with bad news!

I want to remember that all this health problems can disappear if you use a proper treatment of SA.

The CPAP therapy can help eliminate many of these SA side effects, even from the first days of use!

Learn more about Sleep Apnea by Thiery Remy at Sleep-Apnea-Guide.com.

Go through Sleep Apnea Cures - The Best Ways to Cure Sleep Apnea! a lot more

Those that suffer from sleep apnea know that it can be very dangerous and they know that it can ruin a good night of rest as well. The problem is that most over the counter products that claim to be sleep apnea cures barely work. They might help a little bit, but they certainly do not cure the problem at all. Here are some natural tips to help you with your sleep disorder.

1. Stop smoking and drinking

If you are a smoker, especially if you smoke more than a full pack each day, then you can cure your sleep problems just by quitting the bad habit of smoking. This also goes for those that are heavy drinkers and it can be very dangerous to drink a lot of you suffer from sleep apnea. This could even be deadly if you happen to have a severe case and you do not find one of the sleep apnea treatments soon.

2. Start exercising

Those that are heavier, especially, can help cure their sleeping problems by losing some weight through exercise. Exercise will also help to strengthen your lungs and make it easier for you to breathe while you are sleeping. This is a great way to become healthier as well and when you are healthier you will sleep much better. Sleep apnea cures come in many forms, but if you are not in very good shape exercise can be the answer you have been searching for.

3. Using a special pillow or mouth piece

If you are desperate or you need a temporary solution while you are working on quitting smoking or drinking or you are starting a new exercise program, then you can use a pillow made to be one of the sleep apnea cures or you can use a mouth piece designed to help keep your airway clear. This can help, but it is not recommended for the long term. Use the pillow and/or the mouth piece until you start to feel healthier and try to go a night without them to see how things go.

Basically those that are suffering from a sleep disorder can usually link it back to the type of lifestyle they live. Those with a good and balanced diet that exercise regularly rarely have the sleeping problems that those without a healthy diet and regular exercise suffer from. You just need to find the sleep apnea cure that is right for you. And with the internet, you may even come across an e-book that can guide you to get rid of this condition effectively.

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Sleep Apnea Cures - The Best Ways to Cure Sleep Apnea!

Sleep Apnea

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What Are the Causes of Sleep Apnea?

Sleep Apnea

Sleep 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.

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Sleep Apnea and Diabetes - The Link

Sleep Apnea

Yet Another Reason to Lose Weight
Being overweight can not only increase an individual's likelihood of developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but also for developing type 2 diabetes. Excess fat around a sleeper's throat and mouth press down around the airways and block them. When the air is cut off, an extremely loud noise is produced, which often wakes the sleeper. This leads to highly disturbed sleep which may lead to reduced activity levels which can exacerbate type 2 diabetes. Even if a person does not fully awaken, the frequent interruptions of oxygen flow have done their damage.

OSA is not only painful for the patient but for any person having to live with the patient. Unlike most snoring, OSA is noted for its volume. The sudden gagging or choking noises that may not wake up the originator will certainly wake up any house guests or bedroom partners. Some OSA patients are so loud that they can be heard in every room of a house. This stigmatizes the OSA patient, even among family and friends, which may discourage a patient from even trying to lose weight. But becoming obese is an even worse option.

In the October 2009 issue of 'Thorax', details of a large Canadian study showed that despite maintaining an ideal body weight, sleepiness caused by OSA led to the development of type 2 diabetes. OSA doubled and trebled the study participants' risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Over 2,100 Canadian men and women with OSA volunteered for the study. The average age of a volunteer was 50, about ten years before type 2 diabetes sets in. This suggests that even individuals that already have OSA need to pay careful consideration to their diet and exercise habits.

The Good News
The good news is that by losing weight, not only can diabetics better manage their blood sugar condition, but can also lead to a marked reduction in OSA noise. This was the result of 'A Randomized Study on the Effect of Weight Loss on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Among Obese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.' Gary D. Foster, PhD, et al.; 'Archives of Internal Medicine'; 28 Sept. 2009. The one year study examined 264 volunteers with type 2 diabetes. The group that had weight loss as part of their diabetes management fared the best, some completely losing all traces of OSA. Most of the volunteers were over 60 years old, a time when overweight individuals are at most risk of developing diabetes.

The study authors suggest that all overweight diabetic patients need medical or psychological intervention to not only counsel them about how to go about reaching weight loss goals, but to ensure that they actually achieve those goals. As a diabetic loses weight, he or she should gain more energy to maintain regular exercise.

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
This is not to say that all types of sleep apnea can benefit from weight loss, only OSA. Sleep apnea can also be caused by a growth or deformity in the throat or soft palate. It is this mass or deformity that causes the sudden blockage of the sleeper's airways. In these cases, only surgery to the affected areas can eliminate the apnea.

But OSA differs in that the sleeper's airways are blocked by external pressure on the airways. During deep sleep, the body's muscles relax. This usually leads to a sleeper's mouth remaining open during the evening. The movement of the jaw remaining open can induce sufficient pressure to trigger a complete airway blockage. If the apnea is mild, then treatment is often conducted with the use of sleep aids such as a dental mouthpiece to keep the mouth from opening during deep sleep.

But over the counter medications or dental aids do not help severe OSA sufferers, who can have as many as 30 blockages to their airways per hour. These patients are often urged to use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) oxygen machine. The patients then have to try and sleep with a face mask to prevent the airway blockages. Not surprisingly, some OSA patients hate the CPAP machine. If they are overweight, then a strict weight loss program may be their only way to obtain a good night's sleep, as well as to halt their progress towards type 2 diabetes.

What about Bariatric Surgery?
One very aggressive weight loss option is bariatric surgery, also known as gastric bypass surgery. But although this drastic form of weight loss can temporarily relieve symptoms of type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea, unless the patient maintains dieting and exercise, the patients often gain the weight again. They may also still have difficulties arising from OSA, or see those difficulties return only months after surgery.

Bariatric surgery also does not reduce OSA. Proponents of bariatric surgery claim that studies conducted on OSA patients were too small to be truly accurate. In a recent study of American veterans at Walter Reed Memorial Hospital, only 4% of the 24 patients that had the surgery had a significant reduction in airway stoppages while they slept one year after the procedure. There seemed to be immediate benefits, but most of those disappeared after a year. ('Persistence in Obstructive Sleep Apnea After Surgical Weight Loss'; CJ Lettieri, et al.; 'Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine'; 2008.)

Conclusion
OSA is a painful and embarrassing problem that greatly reduces the sufferer's quality of life and increases his or her chances of becoming a type 2 diabetic. Being overweight compounds the problem. There are no shortcuts to managing OSA and type 2 diabetes with weight loss. Bariatric surgery does not provide significant long-term benefits. Only through diligent dieting and weight loss can OSA be successfully managed.

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Discovering Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is often a disorder characterized with a reduction or temporary halt of breathing (airflow) while asleep. It is frequent among adults nonetheless rare among youngsters. Although a verdict of sleep apnea often shall be suspected on the basis of your person's medical background, there are several tests you can use to confirm that diagnosis. The treatment regarding sleep apnea can be either surgical as well as nonsurgical.

An apnea is a period of time during which inhaling and exhaling stops or is actually markedly reduced. Within simplified terms, an apnea occurs whenever a person stops inhaling and exhaling for 10 seconds or over. If you prevent breathing completely or take less than 25% of an ordinary breath for a period that lasts 10 seconds or over, this is a good apnea. This distinction includes complete stoppage regarding airflow. Other definitions of apnea that may be used include at the least a 4% shift in oxygen in the blood, a direct result in the reduction in that transfer of oxygen in to the blood when inhaling and exhaling stops.

Apneas usually occur while asleep. When an apnea occurs, sleep usually is disrupted thanks to inadequate breathing in addition to poor oxygen levels in the blood. Sometimes this implies the person wakes up completely, but sometimes this can mean the person arrives of a deep degree of sleep and into a more shallow degree of sleep. Apneas tend to be measured during sleep (preferably in every stages of sleep) spanning a two-hour period. An estimate in the severity of apnea is actually calculated by dividing the quantity of apneas by the quantity of hours of rest, giving an apnea catalog (AI in apneas for every hour); the higher the AI, greater severe the apnea.

A hypopnea is often a decrease in breathing that is certainly not as severe for apnea. Hypopneas usually occur while asleep and can be defined as 69% to 26% of your normal breath. For instance apneas, hypopneas also can be defined as any 4% or higher drop in oxygen in the blood. Like apneas, hypopneas usually disrupt the exact level of sleep. A hypopnea index (HI) might be calculated by dividing the quantity of hypopneas by the quantity of hours of rest.

The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) is definitely index of seriousness that combines apneas in addition to hypopneas. Combining them offers an overall seriousness of sleep apnea which includes sleep disruptions in addition to desaturations (a low degree of oxygen in that blood). The apnea-hypopnea catalog, like the apnea catalog and hypopnea catalog, is calculated by dividing the quantity of apneas and hypopneas by the quantity of hours of rest.

Another index which to measure sleep apnea will be the respiratory disturbance catalog (RDI). The respiratory disturbance index is similar to the apnea-hypopnea catalog; however, it also comprises of respiratory events that usually do not technically meet that definitions of apneas as well as hypopneas, but complete disrupt sleep.

Sleep apnea is formally defined as an apnea-hypopnea index of at the least 15 episodes/hour in the patient if they don't have medical traumas that are believed to be caused by that sleep apnea. The equivalent of around one episode regarding apnea or hypopnea every 4 minutes. Higher blood pressure, cerebrovascular accident, daytime sleepiness, congestive heart inability (low flow of blood into the heart), insomnia, or mood disorders might be caused or worsened through sleep apnea. In a good these conditions, sleep apnea is defined as an apnea-hypopnea index of at the least five episodes/hour. This definition is actually stricter because these individuals can be already experiencing that negative medical influences of sleep apnea, and it might be important to begin treatment in the lower apnea-hypopnea catalog.

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What is Obstructed Sleep Apnea?

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a disorder that commonly affects more than a million people in the world. Obstructive sleep apnea is much more frequent than central sleep apnea, but it is also a common state in many areas of the world. Since the tonality of muscle of the body usually slackens during the sleep, and since, on the level of the throat, the human air route is composed of soft fabric walls, which can break down, it is easy to understand why breathing can be blocked during sleep - in particular in the obese.

Although many individuals test episodes of obstructive sleep apnea of sleep at a certain point in life, a much smaller percentage of the people are afflicted with the obstructive sleep apnea that engraves chronic sleep.

Whenever the flow of air is to a degree where the levels of the oxygen of blood fall then it starts a sudden interruption of sleep, called a neurological awakening. These arousals can have a significantly negative effect on the strengthening quality of sleep.
Provisional orthography of obstructive sleep apnea of sleep can also occur in the individuals who are under the influence of a drug which can slacken their tonality of the body excessively and interfere in the normal awakening from sleep.

Causes of obstructive sleep apnea

The primary risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea is excessive weight gain. Age is another important risk factor. Loss of muscle is a common consequence of the aging process. If a muscle decreases it may be replaced with fat, leaving the airway narrow and soft. Men have a greater risk for obstructive sleep apnea. Male hormones can cause structural changes in the upper airway. Other factors associated with obstructive sleep apnea are:

1. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids, the main causes of obstructive sleep apnea in children
2. Family history of obstructive sleep apnea.

3. Use of alcohol and sleeping drugs, which relax the musculature in the surrounding upper airway

4. Smoking

5. Nasal congestion

Effects

This interruption of sleep can create obstructions in the normal growth, particularly in children and of young adults. . This can be the result of a higher respiratory infection, which causes the nasal congestion, with the swelling of the throat, which produces temporarily enlarged tonsils.

Do you suffer from sleep apnea? Our site focuses on sleep apnea treatments and symptoms for sufferers of sleep apnea. by T. D. Houser

Examine Sleep Apnea Treatment Methods - The Pros and Cons much more

Sleep Apnea Mask

You've probably already heard of sleep apnea - it's the condition when a person misses a breath (or more) while sleeping. The idea of someone "missing to breathe" seems funny but indeed, there are situations when the physical make-up of the person prevents him or her from breathing normally - especially while he or she is sleeping.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The common type of it is the Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This occurs when the upper part of the airway becomes narrow - as a result of the collapse of the tissues on it. Here's how this happens:

When you sleep, the muscles on your upper airway (near the back of your throat) relax. Dilator muscles, however, are present to keep the air passage open and to help your breathe normally. Interference to this collapse-dilation mechanism causes you to miss your breath - literally, you do not breathe for a matter of seconds.

Significant absence of breathing can be disturbing - not to mention fatal. Thus, the treatment procedures are available to help both the sufferers - and the loved ones of these sufferers (if your partner snores loudly because of sleep apnea, would you, as his partner, be able to sleep well?).

CPAP Machine

The Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure (CPAP) machine is by far the most common sleep apnea treatment method. Of course, this is primarily because this is developed for this very purpose.

Sleep specialists use CPAP - and CPAP mask in Toronto or elsewhere - to provide constant air pressure. This keeps the collapse-dilation mechanism of the different sets of throat muscles working. In simpler terms, this sleep apnea treatment procedure prevents your throat muscles from blocking the airway.

However, the CPAP machine is not without limits. Some users report having throat or nose infection. Infection can be in the form of nasal congestion and dry throat. In addition, some patients experience difficulty in exhalation. This can be because of the kind of mask that's being used. As such, many specialists prefer Respironics masks - in Toronto or elsewhere - because this brand is known for quality and cost-effectiveness.

Dental Devices

To address the concerns associated with the use of the CPAP machine as a treatment method, specialists turn to the use of dental devices. Among the common dental appliances are:

a. the Tongue Retaining Device - this holds the tongue in place, thereby keeping the airway open
b. the Mandibular Advancement Device - again, this sleep apnea treatment device aims to keep the airway open by slightly pushing the lower jaw forward and downward.

Perhaps because nothing in this world is perfect, some users still have a few complaints regarding the use of the above-mentioned dental devices as sleep apnea treatment methods. Among the most common concerns are dry lips, excessive salivation and tooth discomfort.

Any form of treatment somehow carries with it a certain "undesirable trait." An antibiotic, for instance, would give you an upset stomach. The same holds true for sleep apnea treatment methods. There will always be pros and cons.

This article, in summary, presents the pros and cons of the most common methods used in treating sleep apnea. Hopefully, it was able to accomplish such purpose.

CPAP Clinic - healthcare at your home

We serve Greater Toronto Area in Canada.

Contact: 1-877-430-CPAP(2727) or info@CPAPClinic.ca

Use CPAP and CPAP mask in Toronto as an approach of sleep apnea treatment - Toronto or elsewhere. Visit CPAPClinic.ca for more information about this treatment method. Check out the site too for best deals in Respironics masks in Toronto.

Sleep Apnea Treatment Methods - The Pros and Cons

Examine Sleep Apnea - Symptoms and Effects more

Sleep Apnea - Symptoms and Effects

Sleep Apnea

If you have found yourself like many other people, unsatisfied with the standard medical sleep apnea treatments which treat the symptoms rather than curing the condition, you will have probably been searching for alternative cures for the condition. Whilst everyone knows that those with the condition tend to snore quite heavily, just snoring alone is not enough for a sleep apnea diagnosis. So how do you work out if you or somebody you love has this condition?

Only a medical doctor can do the actual diagnosis, but there are some common symptoms which you can use to determine whether you need to see a doctor for an official diagnosis.

One very common symptom of sleep apnea is a pause in breathing during the night. When this happens it is as if the person that is snoring along quite happily, then holds their breath for a moment, and then carries on snoring again. A loved one may be led to wrongly assume during these moments that they have stopped snoring and that now they can finally fall asleep, but no, this is actually just a moment where the sleep apnea sufferer has actually stopped breathing momentarily. This understandably can be very worrying for the person listening.

Another big symptom is a choking sound in the midst of the snoring. It sounds much like they are gasping for air, and in fact the body is desperately fighting to breathe normally. The choking noises are often accompanied by moments of pause where breathing has stopped. Another common indication of sleep apnea is profuse sweating during the night.

Once you understand what the loud noises that they are making actually mean, it can be quite frightening to sleep next to someone who has sleep apnea. The question of when the choking sound will lead to death or when the pause in snoring will lead to them never breathing again is always in the back of your mind.

While this may lead to the loss of sleep for others sleeping in the same bed as someone with sleep apnea, there are some very real side effects of the condition for the sufferer as well. Most will wake up feeling as if they have not rested at all, despite being asleep for adequate amounts of time for normal restoration. This is because the body is not able to rest and recharge properly when it is continually fighting for each next breath and trying to deal with snoring all night long.

Many sufferers will routinely deal with headaches in the morning and general lack of concentration. It is possible that they have a lot of problems getting through the day mentally and as a result can become irritable. Medically, they may be dealing with high blood pressure and regular heartburn.

It is also common that people with this condition are often morbidly obese and this is one of the main causes of sleep apnea. For these sufferers, snoring and other sleep disorders are a side effect of their weight and they are likely suffering other physical consequences as well. For many people weight loss could be a good cure for sleep apnea, but unfortunately is isn't a cure-all for everyone.

More and more people are now searching for alternative cures for sleep apnea, and they are finding that some alternative treatments are actually delivering more satisfactory results than just being put on a CPAP machine or taking medication to stay awake during the day. If you notice any of these sleep apnea symptoms in someone you love or are suffering with the side effects of the condition yourself, seeking out better sleep apnea treatments should be considered.

As one can see, there are many causes of Sleep Apnea. How many times have you lain awake until the early hours trying to get some much needed sleep, only to be kept awake by your partner's snoring? This happens all too often and is not a laughing matter. You deserve a good night's sleep.