Sleep Apnea Cures
A good night’s sleep is essential to optimal health. For many people however, this can prove frustrating and elusive. There are a number of conditions that can interfere with getting enough sleep. Of these, sleep apnea is the most potentially dangerous.
Sleep apnea is a disruption of breathing while asleep, causing periodic gasping for air or struggling for breath, sometimes hundreds of times during the night. Most people who suffer from this disorder do not realize they have it, because when they awaken they don’t remember having trouble breathing.
If not treated, sleep apnea can be life-threatening, so it is very important to ensure that your breathing is normal during the night. It is advisable to watch for the warning signs and seek out sleep apnea solutions as soon as possible. These warning signs can include very loud snoring or gasping; choking as if unable to get air into the lungs; sudden awakenings during the night, sometimes waking up sweating; and feeling exhausted during the day even with a full night’s sleep.
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What causes these awakenings? When breathing is interrupted due to sleep apnea, it changes the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. The imbalance of these essential chemicals signals the brain to restart the breathing process. These awakening incidents are necessary to restart breathing, but may not be remembered later. The result is feeling very tired and unrefreshed by any amount of sleep.
There are two main types of sleep apnea.
The most common is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which is caused by an obstruction that blocks flow of air in the nose and mouth. With OSA, the throat collapses during sleep, obstructing the airway and preventing air from reaching the lungs. In a healthy person, the throat muscles keep the throat and airway open during sleep. In some people, however, these muscles can relax more than normal, due to age, alcohol, other sedatives, or even being overweight or obese. People with certain physical factors, such as large tonsils or tongue, deviated septum, or enlarged adenoids, can also be more at risk for sleep apnea. Even temporary factors such as nasal congestion can cause sleep apnea.
The other type of sleep apnea, though less common, is Central Sleep Apnea (CSA). This is a central nervous system disorder in which the brain signals instructing the body to breathe are delayed. CSA can be caused by a diseases or injuries of the brain, such as viral brain infections, strokes, brain tumors, or respiratory problems. CSA sufferers seldom snore. While the causes of sleep apnea are different in CSA and OSA, they both are serious conditions that result in a deprivation of oxygen and not enough sleep.
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The effects of sleep deprivation can include irritability, inability to concentrate, and a compromised immune system. The problems of oxygen deprivation are even more serious: heart disease, high blood pressure, sexual dysfunction, learning and memory problems, and depression. If you suspect you might have sleep apnea, try keeping a “sleep journal” for several nights (or have your partner record the data). Include information such as snoring, any choking or gasping sounds, and awakening during the night.
Also make a note of how refreshed you feel in the morning. You should also try losing any excess weight and refraining from sedatives before bed. After you have recorded a typical time period of your sleep (perhaps a week), consult a doctor or a sleep specialist. If they suspect you have sleep apnea, you will probably be sent for an overnight study in a sleep lab. By observation and measuring how frequently you stop breathing, a diagnosis can be reached and a cure for sleep apnea can be discussed.
The most important thing for your health is to make sure that you are getting a normal night’s sleep. Sleep apnea cures can be as simple as lifestyle changes so seek out help today.
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Cure For Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can affect people from all walks of life. Sleep apnea is when oxygen levels drop very low while a person is sleeping. The nervous system sends a signal to the brain telling your body to begin breathing again. This interrupts a person’s restorative sleep.
Sleep apnea can be a very serious condition because blood pressure tends to be higher in people with sleep apnea. Daytime drowsiness is another side effect which can cause automobile accidents. When you research a cure for sleep apnea, you’ll find there are several different ways to treat it. This article will discuss the main sleep apnea treatments.
One sleep apnea solution is the C-PAP or continuous positive air pressure machine. This is where a mask is attached to your face and there is a machine that blows air continuously through your mouth and or nose, keeping the airway from becoming restricted. There are some pros and cons of this option. Some people complain of the mask being uncomfortable to wear. Some people find it embarrassing to wear in front of their partners as well. C-PAP machines can be very expensive as well. If you don’t have insurance a good C-PAP machine could cost upwards of a thousand dollars and higher. C-PAP machines can also be awkward when traveling. If you are a camper and there is no electricity, you have to purchase a battery pack. Some of the pros of using a C-PAP machine are a good night’s sleep, no snoring, less long-term health problems, and increased alertness and concentration.
Another option for sleep apnea is surgery. Surgery is not an option for all people who have sleep apnea, but for some, it could be a good choice. With surgery, you don’t have to deal with a machine every night. Some doctors are hesitant in performing surgery to cure sleep apnea, as it is not always effective, and adults also have a higher chance of “bleeding out.”
The best thing to do if you are suffering from sleep apnea is to speak to your health care provider to determine which options are best for you. 
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Solutions For Sleep Apnea
Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs when the muscles around the rear part of the throat relax, when you are asleep. The muscles are responsible for holding and supporting your tonsils, tongue and soft palate. If these relax too much during sleep, the airway narrows, causing a reduced amount of oxygen to the body. This makes your brain lift you from deep sleep temporarily, so that the air passage is reopened.
If your case of sleep apnea is not severe, you may find that some sleep apnea solutions that can improve it. If you are overweight, then losing weight can reduce the occurrences. Also, try not to drink alcohol at night time. Smoking can also be a contributory factor, so giving up cigarettes can also help. Anything that relaxes the muscles medically, such as tranquillizers or sleeping pills can also have a detrimental effect on the throat’s muscle system. Some people find that sleeping on one side, instead of on their back lessens the symptoms too.
For more severe cases, sleep apnea treatments such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is a possible treatment. This is a mask which you wear over your mouth when sleeping. It sends compressed air into your throat, ensuring that the airway does not get blocked. Many people find this strange to wear to begin with, and some stop using it because of this. However, patients who persevere with it report that it works very effectively, despite their initial misgivings.
Amazingly, several medical studies in respected journals, such as the British Medical Journal have suggested that regularly playing the didgeridoo can also reduce snoring, daytime sleepiness, and other symptoms of sleep apnea. The study suggested that this was due to the patient training themselves to control their upper airways, and becoming more aware of how the muscles work. The study used 25 patients suffering from moderate obstructive sleep apnea. They took a random selection of these patients, and asked them to practice the didgeridoo every day for four months. After four months, the didgeridoo players reported significant improvements, compared to the control group.
Tags: air passage, airway pressure, CPAP, daytime sleepiness, deep sleep, medical studies, obstructive sleep, obstructive sleep apnea, sleep, Sleep Apnea, Sleep Apnea Solutions, sleep apnea treatment, Sleep Apnea Treatments, snoring, symptoms of sleep apnea, tonsils