Treatments for Sleep Apnea

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by the cessation of breathing when an individual is sleeping. It is estimated that approximately 4% of men and 2% of women are afflicted with this disorder. Even though a significant number of chronic snorers have sleep apnea, you do not have to snore to have sleep apnea. Over 80% of the individuals with sleep apnea are never diagnosed with the condition, because it can only be diagnosed by observing the individual when they are asleep. Many individuals become aware of their condition when a family member or bed-mate informs them of the condition.

Other Conditions Linked to Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea has been linked to an increase in a number of disorders such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, increased blood pressure, etc. If the sleep apnea is the condition that brought on one of the more dire aforementioned conditions, it may result in a case of treating the symptoms without addressing the root cause. If an individual thinks they may possibly be suffering from sleep apnea, they should share this information with their physician.

Treatments for Sleep Apnea

There are a number of different treatments for sleep apnea which range from lifestyle changes to surgery. For instance, avoiding the use of alcohol will help make it easier for the throat to stay open while sleeping. Sleeping on your side rather than your back will help to keep the throat passage open, as well.

 Many sleep apnea sufferers use CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) as a means of counteracting the effects of sleep apnea. The CPAP machine comes with a mask that fits over the face and the nose or the nose alone. The machine introduces a small stream of air into the throat while sleeping. Some may experience side effects such as a dry or stuffy nose, headaches, etc.

Sometimes surgery may be used as a treatment for sleep apnea. The purpose of the surgery is to widen the breathing passages so that the sleep apnea sufferer can have unobstructed breathing while sleeping. Sometimes children that are suffering from sleep apnea may have their tonsils removed to improve the passage of air into their blocked airways.

My son underwent the surgery to have his tonsils removed when I noticed that he frequently stopped breathing while sleeping. This coupled with very loud snoring was concerning. He underwent the surgery at the age of 6 and within 1 week following the surgery there was a major improvement in his sleeping habits. He was no longer snoring or experiencing the cessation of breathing during his sleep.

Conclusion

When you consider all the negative side effects of sleep apnea, it is important to determine whether or not you are a sufferer once you suspect that you might be. Sleep clinics are designed to study you while you sleep to diagnose whether or not you have sleep apnea. If you are diagnosed with having sleep apnea, your doctor will prescribe a method of treatment that is best for you.