Do I Have Sleep Apnea?

There are a few types of sleep apnea that you should be aware of, especially if you feel you or a loved one is suffering from this potentially dangerous sleeping disorder.

The first type of sleep apnea is the most common, obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea happens when the muscles of the throat relax during sleep and obstruct the airway.

Central sleep apnea is more of a neurological condition. In central sleep apnea the brain is not sending the right signals to the muscles that control your breathing while you are asleep.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea but many people also suffer from complex sleep apnea. Complex sleep apnea is simply a combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

The Possible Dangers of Untreated Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can be dangerous if left untreated, this is especially true in the more severe cases of sleep apnea. Heart conditions, memory impairment, headaches, fibromyalgia, depression, irritability, increased blood pressure, tremors, hallucinations, nystagmus (rapid involuntary eye movement), slow word recall, and even an increased risk of diabetes can occur in people with sleep apnea. The lack of oxygen coupled with the restless sleep hinders the body from healing itself during sleep hours and therefore is becomes weak and the immune system is decreased.

A New Zealand Study Compares Sleep Apnea Sufferers Driving to Drunk Drivers
A study performed in New Zealand reported that those with severe untreated sleep apnea could be compared to an intoxicated person. Someone with sleep apnea does not actually rest when they sleep because they are constantly being cut off from oxygen and awake feeling exhausted, fatigued, their memory may be impaired, slow reflexes, and so on. These side effects of sleep apnea can make it dangerous to drive and according to the study conducted in New Zealand automobile accidents caused by people with sleep disorders such as sleep apnea were comparable to vehicle accidents of intoxicated drivers.

When to See the Doctor for Sleep Apnea
It is time to see a doctor, or a sleep doctor, when your snoring becomes so loud that it not only effects your partners ability to sleep but the volume of your snoring even wakes you! If you experience shortness of breath when you wake up, either in the middle of the night or when you first wake in the morning, when you have intermittent pauses of breathing in your sleep (your partner can likely tell you if this is occurring) and you feel extremely fatigued throughout the day even if you had a full night of sleep.

Sleep Study and Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
The doctor will likely conduct a sleep study on you to monitor your breathing while you sleep and access at what points in your sleep you have the most severe symptoms of sleep apnea. With the results of the sleep study the sleep doctor will be able to write out a plan of care for your sleep apnea.

To cure sleep apnea you have various options and the sleep study doctor will go over these with you. The doctor may suggest a diet and exercise program since one of the leading causes of sleep apnea is obesity, he may also order special diets, discourage you from drinking alcoholic beverages, teaching you various sleeping positions that can lessen the sleep apnea, and possibly prescribe the use of a CPAP machine while you sleep. You can learn more about CPAP machines in my article What is a CPAP and Do I Really Have to Use It.

Sleep apnea, in any form is something you should be concerned about. There is a wealth of information about alternative methods of treating sleep apnea, such as the book Sleep Tight which provides people with sleep apnea various techniques and methods to overcome sleep apnea. Of course you should still see a sleep doctor if your sleep apnea has become severe but this guide teaches you about the cause, signs, symptoms, treatments, and prevention methods for sleep apnea.

Sources:

www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-cpap.htm

www.mayoclinic.com/health/sleep-apnea/DS00148

www.sleepapnea.org

www.webmd.com

Sleep Tight Guide