A CONDITION CALLED SLEEP APNEA

Not breathing for several seconds to even longer times can be a life threatening condition. Often your deep sleep is disturbed by this condition and your rest cycle disrupted. In extreme cases, it has even been found that a person will fall asleep at their work place or, even worse, while waiting for a traffic light to change when driving their car.

People often don’t realize this condition is happening to them. Of course, if their spouse constantly complains they are not breathing when sleeping at night, it’s pretty easy to figure out. Unfortunately, there are no reliable tests for the condition except for the sleep lab test administered at a local sleep center, clinic or hospital.

If you find your sleep being disturbed several nights a week, accompanied by extreme tiredness during the day, you should have the problem checked out by qualified medical personnel.

The condition, called “obstructive sleep apnea”, results from a blockage in the airway most noticeable by loud snoring. The airway collapses and blocks the flow of air to the lungs. This results from the muscles of the airway relaxing during sleep. Usually there’s some loud snorting accompanying the condition..The danger caused by this condition is a stroke or heart attack due to the reduced amount of oxygen in the blood.

So what is the solution to this problem. One is the use of a Continuous Pressure Device (CPAP) which creates positive pressure on the airway. When the condition manifests itself, the positive pressure produced by the device prevents closure of the airway.

The best way to diagnose this condition is in a sleep lab. There you will be wired to sensors around your chest and attached to areas of your scalp and forehead. Your blood oxygen levels will also be monitored. This is not the most comfortable apparel to be wearing when you are trying to fall asleep. But the condition can be effectively diagnosed even when you can’t get a full nights sleep when hooked up to all this apparatus. The monitors and pulse oxygen readings will give your physician a good indication of the nature and extent of the problem.

Once you’ve been diagnosed, you can elect to use a sleep apnea machine to create the positive pressure needed during sleep. A mask is worn over the nose and mouth. The mask for the machine can be very difficult to use until you become comfortable with it. There are several types of masks available and you should be able try out several to find if they are comfortable and usable. There is one that does not cover all of the mouth and nose, using only the nasal passage way as the air inlet area. Another is held in place by the patient’s lower jaw and teeth with light weight straps. Whatever solution, it will no doubt take a few weeks to really determine if you can adjust to such devices. Note also that the air pump providing positive air pressure is going to make some noise. While it is not as loud as early models, the current devices still make some noise and you will have to adjust to that when sleeping.

Another alternative is from your dentist. There have been many successes using a kind of dental plate that causes the lower jaw to extend slightly. This can help prevent the collapse of the airway canal and permit even, unobstructed breathing. Such a device is formed and fitted by your dental profession working in concert with your sleep apnea physician. What about costs? Well the machine runs about $1500 – $2000 to purchase but is covered by Medicare for Seniors. Unfortunately the dental apparatus is not so covered and can range from $500 to $1200. If the latter doesn’t work, your out the cash, though it might be deductible on your Fed Income tax. ( Check with a tax professional) .

This short article is not intended to diagnose or treat a sleep disorder. Obviously, you should seek qualified medical advice to determine the nature of your medical condition and what solutions, if any, are appropriate.

For additional resources on SLEEP APNEA see the following:

http://www.sleepapnea.org

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/sleep-apnea

By: Al Tallakson

About the Author:

seansymons asked:

, quitting smoking, or adopting a new exercise regimen. Before the invention of the nasal CPAP, a recommended course of action for a patient with sleep apnea or habitual snoring was a tracheostomy, or creating a temporary opening in the windpipe. The CPAP treatment has been found to be nearly 100 percent effective in eliminating sleep apnea and snoring when used correctly and will eliminate the necessity of a surgical procedure. So, If I Use A Nasal CPAP I Will Never Need Surgery? With …