Sleep Apnea is a sleep irregularity where the sleeper suffers from regular pauses in breathing due to a blocked airway, as the sufferer sleeps. The condition can lead to more serious health conditions if left untreated.
There are three different types of Sleep Apnea, Central (CSA), Obstructive (OSA) or mixed Sleep Apnea, which is a combination of both Central and Obstructive. Regardless of the type of sleep apnea you suffer from, you will probably be unaware of your condition.
Below are 5 falsely believed myths about Sleep Apnea, from the symptoms and diagnosis of the condition to the numerous treatments available.
1.Sleep Apnea is just snoring: Myth Snoring is often seen as a symptom for Sleep Apnea, but there are big differences between the two. People who suffer from Sleep Apnea can wake up around 400 times a night after they have stopped breathing. The pauses or "Apnea's" can last from 10 to 30 seconds, which are often followed with a snort which is why many people believe Sleep Apnea to be snoring. These pauses in breathing can disrupt your sleep pattern making you more tired the following day.
2.Sleep Apnea is not dangerous: Myth The various breaks in sleep can severely disrupt your natural sleep pattern, exhausting your body and mind. People with Sleep Apnea often wake up gasping for air, which can be very traumatic and as a whole can put pressure and strain on the heart and cardiovascular system. The pauses in breathing can also reduce blood oxygen levels severely. Untreated Sleep Apnea has been linked to various car accidents, work-related injuries and strokes.
3.Losing weight can help: Fact If you are obese or overweight you are more inclined to suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This is due to the lack of muscle tone around the main airway, causing your airway to be very narrow and restricted. Just by losing a fraction of your weight can drastically reduce your symptoms. Smoking can also worsen the symptoms of OSA, so ask your doctor about products that will help you quit.
4. Only older people get Sleep Apnea: Myth Medical statistics show that around 17 million people in the USA live with Sleep Apnea. Although you are more likely suffer from the condition if you are over the age of 40, people of all ages, including young children have been diagnosed with this sleep disorder. However if your male and are overweight, you are more likely to acquire OSA. Sleep Apnea is also believed to be passed on through families.
5. CPAP is an effective treatment: Fact CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. A CPAP machine blows a strong current of air into your body through a mask keeping your air passage open whilst you sleep. The
CPAP equipment is considered to be the most effective non-surgical procedure to lighten the symptoms of Sleep Apnea. CPAP is the favourite method of treatment for adult sufferers of OSA. It has also proved to be extremely effective.
So now that various myths have been debunked, if you think that you or maybe your partner or child struggle with Sleep Apnea, don't hesitate and visit your family doctor for advice on what to do next.
CPAP Machines are useful for people that suffer from a disorder named sleep apnea. This is an everyday affliction that causes complications to a person's breathing patterns during the time that they are asleep which can lead to fatigue when awake and in some severe cases can lead to memory problems and chronic headaches. CPAPs work by supplying a flow of air through a tube, which can greatly reduce the effects of sleep apnea and allows users to happily sleep well. CPAP Machines can really help but it is still a good idea to talk with a doctor if you find yourself with breathing problems while you're trying to sleep.
| Additional articles about CPAP equipment |
|
|
| About the author |
Emilee Jaden |
| Please Rate This Article |
Number of ratings: 0
Rating: 0