Sleep apnea is a severe, sometimes life-threatening illness that is far more prevalent than is often believe. Principal symptoms include loud snoring, interrupted breathing during sleep, and daytime drowsiness. Sleep apnea affects individuals of all ages and both sexes. It is more prevalent in males, however women and young African-Americans may be underdiagnosed. There are an estimated 18 million People with sleep apnea.
Important are the early diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorder, since it may be connect with:
- Abnormal heartbeat
- elevated blood pressure
- coronary attack
- Type 2 Diabetes Obesity
- Stroke
- Daytime sleepiness
- Higher likelihood of automobile and occupational accidents
Sleep disorder is one of the numerous factors that prohibit humans from sleeping well and continuously. But what is this common condition exactly? What are the signs and symptoms? How can you determine if sleep disorder is the cause of your poor sleep? Find out by reading on.
What is apnea of sleep?
According to neurologist Melissa Lipford, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, sleep apnea is “a frequent disease in which breathing is regularly stopped during sleep.” The American Medical Association estimates that approximately 30 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, but only 6 million have been diagnose.
What is the most common reason for sleep apnea?
Although there are other varieties of sleep disorder, including central sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, and complex sleep apnea, obstructive sleep disorder is the most prevalent, according to Lipford. “Relaxation of the muscles at the back of the throat during sleep causes obstructive sleep disorder,” she says. When these muscles relax, they obstruct (or partly obstruct) the passage of air into the lungs; the brain then detects the shortage of oxygen and awakens the individual to reopen the airway.
These awakenings are often so short that individuals do not recall them, but they occur frequently throughout the night and may have a substantial impact on the quality of one’s sleep and potentially lead to more severe health repercussions. “Repetitive nightly awakenings may cause daytime drowsiness, poor focus, and an increased risk of car accidents,” explains Lipford. In addition, untreated sleep disorder is associated with hypertension, heart attacks, strokes, and memory problems.
What symptoms are associate with sleep apnea?
Typical symptoms of sleep apnea include:
Intense snoring (because a block passageway vibrates especially),
Stopped breathing, gasping for air, and feeling tired after a full night’s sleep.
Many people have discovered sleep disorder after monitoring their nightly sleep patterns with breathing apps.
How can sleep apnea be treated?
While there is no cure for sleep disorder, it may be treat efficiently. Lipford states that there are now multiple options for treating sleep apnea. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices are one of the most frequent and successful ways of therapy. A CPAP machine uses a face mask or nasal cushion to provide airflow to the nose and mouth. The airflow maintains open upper airway passageways, preventing the brain from needing to wake the body during sleep. Alternative treatments include mouth appliances that may be worn overnight as well as surgical procedures. In addition, lifestyle modifications such as weight reduction, avoiding alcohol in the evening, and sleeping on one’s side have been beneficial. Modvigil 200(Provigil) and Modalert 200 is use to treat excessive sleepiness in patients with narcolepsy and residual sleepiness in certain cases of sleep disorder. Scientists believe the drug affects the sleep-wake centers in the brain. The most common side effect is a headache.
What should I do if I am diagnose with sleep disorder?
If you suspect that you may be suffering from a sleep disorder, Lipford believes that it is extremely important to “have a conversation with your healthcare professional.” During a regular physical exam, questions relating to sleep may not typically be asked; as a result, you may need to bring up the specific problems that you have. A doctor could then suggest sleep testing, which can either take place in a sleep lab or at home, in order to evaluate the severity of the illness and provide recommendations for treatment. She explains that if a diagnosis of sleep disorder has been made, a sleep specialist may collaborate with you to develop a tailored treatment strategy. The results of successful treatment for sleep disorder may have a profound impact on one’s quality of life.
Visit: MLB Streams
