Sleep Apnea - Just What is it Anyway ?

Sleep Apnea is a common sleep disorder, in which people stop breathing during the night, but to people who suffer from it it can seem any thing but common. Most people suffering from Sleep Apnea are unaware of it, often it is their partners who point it out to them. Many people who snore, or snort and then roll over, actually suffer from Sleep Apnea.

Sleep Apnea almost always causes daytime drowsiness and can be dangerous both the the sufferer and others. People who suffer from Sleep Apnea tend to wake up often during the night. It is difficult, if not impossible to feel rested if you have woken up, 100 - 400 times during the night, because you have stopped breathing for periods of 10 seconds or longer. Most people do not even remember waking up, they only know that they are tired during the day. Daytime drowsiness, without another reason is the primary symptom of Sleep Apnea.

Sleep Apnea comes in three different forms.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Obtructive Sleep Apnea is the most common form of Sleep Apnea. There are various causes for it, including swollen tonsils and adenoids, severe post nasal drip, and obstruction of the airway when the muscles of the tongue or uvula relax. It is, in many ways, the easiest form of Sleep Apnea to deal with. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is often found in children and adolescents. Some people with Obstructive Sleep Apnea will report nightmares such as drowning, or having something gooey stuck in their throat and having to pull it out. These nightmares can lead to fear of sleeping and cause the sufferer to stay awake longer, often worsening the condition. It can lead to a catch - 22 with the nightmares worsening the Sleep Apnea and the Sleep Apnea causing more nightmares or worsening post-traumatic stress disorders. Lessening stress, and sticking to a strict sleep schedule can sometimes help.

Central Sleep Apnea - Central Sleep Apnea occurs when the signal from the brain that causes the diaphragm to move, and people to breathe, is somehow interrupted, or not given. This is very tricky to deal with. Sometimes it happens when the brain simply fails to give the signal to breathe. When this happens oxygen levels drop suddenly, and the sleeper often wakes with a start or a gasp, rolls over, and simply goes to back to sleep. They may or may not remember the incident.

3.Mixed Apnea - Mixed Sleep Apnea is found in a person with both Obstructive and central Sleep Apnea. Often a person with Mixed Apnea has had either Obstructive or Central Sleep Apnea for some time. Mixed Sleep Apnea is the most difficult to treat.

There are a wide variety of treatments for Sleep Apnea. Treatments range from simply following a routine, to surgery and CPAP, or Continuous Airway Pressure. CPAP consists of a face mask and a small air compressor that forces just enough air through the nasal passages to keep them open during the night. Because of the discomforts and side effects of CPAP, many people stop using it as soon as they feel better. This is usually a mistake.

Sleep Apnea can be treated and amd those suffering from it should know they are not alone. There are a decent number of groups both on the internet an off to help you deal with it. http://www.globalhealthnetwork.org/ runs a yahoo. group for Sleep Apnea sufferers. at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/sleep_apnea/ .

Authors Note: This article is meant as an overview only. If you are suffering from Daytime Drowsiness or Sleep Apnea please see a competent physician.