| Sleep is a very important part of our lives. According | | | | you can be alert for that may indicate you suffer |
| to experts we should have approximately 9 hours of | | | | from snoring and sleep apnea, and you can then |
| restful sleep to properly "recharge our batteries" so | | | | make an appointment for a consultation with your |
| we are bright, bouncy, and full of energy to face | | | | doctor. The symptoms include: |
| each new day. If sleeping disorders interrupt out | | | | • Severe drowsiness during the day and falling |
| sleep patterns, or reduce the amount of restful sleep | | | | asleep inappropriately. |
| that we get, this will have an adverse effect on our | | | | • Waking from sleep unrefreshed |
| ability to function efficiently the next day. Sleep | | | | • Possible feelings of depression |
| apnea is one such disorder, and in this article we are | | | | • Feelings of lethargy |
| going to take a quick look at snoring and sleep apnea | | | | • Poor memory |
| to see how they are related, why they happen, and | | | | • Poor concentration |
| to discuss how they can be cured. | | | | • Morning headaches |
| Snoring is certainly related to sleep Apnea and it one | | | | • Possible personality changes |
| of the easiest symptoms to spot, indeed it can often | | | | • Hyperactivity in children |
| be a cause of some consternation between partners. | | | | • Swelling of the legs |
| However, it doesn't necessarily mean that if you | | | | In order for your doctor to successfully and |
| snore you have Sleep Apnea, but on the other hand, | | | | categorically diagnose snoring and sleep apnea you |
| 99% of the people who do have what is termed | | | | will have to undergo a polysomnogram, (sleep |
| professionally "OSA", (Obstructive Sleep Apnea), do | | | | diagnosis). Other tests your doctor may instigate |
| snore, so in this context snoring and sleep apnea are | | | | include arterial blood gas analysis; and |
| inextricably linked. | | | | electrocardiogram (ECG), and echocardiogram, and/or |
| Let's first deal with what is meant by OSA. OSA | | | | thyroid function analysis. |
| refers to a condition where people have incidents | | | | There are certain things that you can do try and |
| where breathing stops for a short period, (often | | | | cure or minimize snoring and sleep apnea. These |
| longer than 10 seconds), during sleep. It interrupts | | | | include: avoiding alcohol or taking any form of |
| your sleep pattern, lightening your sleep phase; but in | | | | sedation near bedtime; inserting a device that |
| most cases, the sufferer does not awaken, and will | | | | projects the jaw more forward, and weight loss. If |
| therefore probably not even be aware of the | | | | these are unsuccessful, your doctor may suggest |
| disorder. In order to see how snoring and sleep | | | | CPAP, (continuous positive airway pressure). There |
| apnea are connected we need to take a quick look | | | | are also a couple of surgical options; UPPP |
| at the possible causes. | | | | (Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) which involve removing |
| When awake, the muscles in the upper throat keep | | | | excess tissue from the back of the throat; a |
| the airway open allowing us to breath. When we | | | | tracheotomy, (very rarely done), or for children, the |
| sleep however, these upper throat muscles relax, but | | | | removal of tonsils. |
| with the majority of people their airway remains | | | | With proper treatment, snoring and sleep apnea can |
| open. But in some people, the throat area is more | | | | be cured or controlled, but many people are not |
| narrow and when they sleep it closes entirely, | | | | prepared to have CPAP as they feel it is too |
| causing labored breathing and snoring. From time to | | | | invasive. |
| time their breathing actually stops for brief periods | | | | Alternative treatments include Yoga, whose breathing |
| and this is what is referred to as sleep apnea. | | | | exercises can help to strengthen to throat muscles |
| In many cases, as mentioned above, snoring and | | | | sufficiently to prevent of lessen the effects of |
| sleep apnea can be diagnosed by your partner. It is | | | | snoring and apnea. Some people find that changing |
| usual with a person suffering from sleep apnea that | | | | their sleeping position can help, in particular raising the |
| they will begin snoring heavily as soon as they fall | | | | upper half of their torso by approximately 30 |
| asleep. When they stop snoring for a short time, | | | | degrees which can enable the force of gravity to |
| followed by a gasp, or very often a loud "snort", this | | | | help. |
| indicates that breathing has stopped and restarted. | | | | It is however important that sufferers of snoring and |
| For any partner, this can be extremely frustrating, | | | | sleep apnea should try and cure, or improve their |
| and for the apnea sufferer, it will lead to excessive | | | | condition because it can have serious consequences |
| drowsiness during the day, because their sleep | | | | such as cardiovascular disease, (sufferers are 30% |
| pattern is being continually disrupted, even if they do | | | | more prone to heart attack), high blood pressure, |
| not wake. | | | | strokes, diabetes, clinical depression, and obesity. |
| If you sleep alone, there are other symptoms that | | | | |