Insomnia A Chronic Sleep Disorder

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Categorized Under: Snoring
Dated: 24 Jan 2009
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Bathing before bedtime will help anyone sleep. Men, women and children who all can get stressed out during the day, can get muscles relaxed from a warm bath before bed.   As any doctor will tell you, it is extremely important to everyone’s health to sleep well at night. Sleep at night repairs the daily damage done to the body during the day. Most people with sleeping problems miss the sleep stage known as REM or rapid eye movement.

Poor sleeping habits are the common causes of problems for most people; women, men or children. A well used and healthy body has very little trouble sleeping so exercise for everyone no matter what the age, is important.  But over used muscles can keep anyone from sleep. So a warm bath with salts, bubble bath or soothing oils is a pleasure that everyone should give themselves.  Children especially love bubble bath.  Bathing salts and oils are mostly used by women but men should occasionally try these also.

Progressive muscle relaxation is a promising natural remedy for sleep. If you’ve never tried a relaxation technique before, this is the time.  But don’t do this in a bathtub as you could relax too much and fall asleep in the tub.

Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by chronic problems  falling asleep, staying asleep or only sleeping for several hours and being wake unable to fall back to sleep. It is typically followed by functional impairment while awake. Organic and non-organic insomnia are the constituents of sleep disorder.

It can be caused by another disorder, by changes in the sleep environment, by the timing of sleep, or by stress. Its consequences – sleepiness and impaired psychomotor performance – are similar to those of sleep deprivation.  If this form of insomnia continues to occur from time to time, the insomnia is classified as intermittent.

Any chronic sleep problems can also be symptoms of medical problems, so if you continue having problems sleeping for more than two weeks. Before starting any natural remedies, consult your doctor. Chronic insomnia can itself be a symptom of another condition, such as depression, heart disease, sleep apnea, lung disease, or diabetes, so it’s important to see a doctor if you are having trouble sleeping.

Sleep medicine is recognized as a subspecialty of medicines. Doctors who specialize in sleep medicine help people who are unable to sleep well.  Sleep doctors are able to detect and treat both common and rare sleep disorders. Some common sleep disorders are insomnia, jet lag, sleepwalking, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
Sleep is usually last on everyone’s list of things to do – when it should be first on everyone’s list.  And healthy people with good health habits usually should not have any trouble sleeping.  In reality, sleeping is your most valuable activity of the day.

Bathing before bedtime will help anyone sleep – so add a warm soaking bath on your list of things to do, right along with sleeping.

When a Snoring Mouthpiece Can Help

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Snoring
Dated: 23 Jan 2009
Comments: 0

If you’ve tried all the home remedies you can think of to help with your snoring problem, it might be time to consider a snoring mouthpiece.  It has been experienced by many people that these small devices are very effective in stopping snoring and as a result they can get a full night of relaxed and restful sleep.  How can you tell if a snoring mouthpiece will work, and where can one be found?

While snoring people breathe through their mouth instead of nose as they should do.  During sleep, however, control of the body is impossible and it is likely that your head will fall back and your mouth will fall open, causing you to breath through your mouth again.  A snoring mouthpiece can help to control this reaction by forcing your jaw forward so that your tongue is aligned properly within your mouth, thereby opening airways.  This also prevents your jaws from falling open as they keep the whole mouth in alignment as well.  Since the tongue and lower jaw are connected, they both work in conjunction with a snoring mouthpiece so that it stays in alignment and the patient can breath normally while asleep.

Sometimes a snoring mouthpiece is used for more than just snoring.  People can also benefit from this device if they suffer from sleep apnea, a condition that causes the body to stop breathing while asleep for a short period  {This is because those airways do not get constricted and the tongue is not allowed to fall back into the throat, something that may cause sleep apnea.}  Individuals who often grind their teeth at night or clench their jaws also stand to benefit this device.  While a snoring mouth piece is often used by those with minor snoring problems, don’t  be embarrassed if your doctor recommends one for your snoring condition or habit.

There are many health concerns and risks associated with snoring, not the least of which is poor quality sleep for the snorer and anyone sleeping with him or her.  Although possibly embarrassing or uncomfortable, a snoring mouthpiece is worth the downsides.  Anyone that has had their doctor recommend such a device should consider this recommendation very carefully and seriously and not dismiss it.

Tips To Develop A Pattern Of Sound Sleep

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Categorized Under: Snoring
Dated: 23 Jan 2009
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Have problems falling asleep at night?  Have you tried a sound machine with some soft music? These are just a few tips you might get from a medical professional.

Sleep medicine is a recognized medical subspecialty which shows just how many people are having trouble sleeping in our modern society. Doctors who specialize in sleep medicine help people who are unable to sleep well. Sleep doctors are able to detect and treat both common and rare sleep disorders. Some common sleep disorders are insomnia, jet lag, sleepwalking, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
People with sleeping trouble are taken care of by The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) which ensures that they get the best medical treatment.  The AASM accredits centers and labs that treat people who have sleep problems. In 1977 the AASM accredited the first sleep disorders center. The AASM also certifies behavioral sleep medicine (BSM) specialists. These doctors help people improve their sleep by changing how they think and behave.
Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by chronic problems  falling asleep, staying asleep or only sleeping for several hours and being wake unable to fall back to sleep. It is typically followed by functional impairment while awake.

Sleep hygiene consists of basic habits and tips that help you develop a pattern of healthy sleep. There are also easy ways to make your bed and your bedroom more comfortable.  The most important thing to change bad habits into good sleep habits is to create an optima sleep environment.

• Make sure your bed is comfortable. Differ¬ent types of mattresses help with different is¬sues. Some mattresses are made to accommo¬date different types bedmates’ sleeping habits and comfort levels. Others are made to adjust to your firmness preferences. In addition, try therapeutic-shaped foam pillows that cradle your neck or extra pillows that help you sleep on your side. Make sure your sheets are com¬fortable and clean.

• Ensure your bedroom remains primarily a place for sleeping. Don’t use your bed for paying bills, doing work, etc. Help your body recognize that this is a place for rest or intimacy.  So take the television out as well as the computer.

• Keep your bedroom peaceful and comfort¬able. Make sure your room is well ventilated and the temperature is consistent, and try to keep it quiet. If you have a problem with out¬side noise, a fan or a “white noise” machine can help block it out.  In fact, the white noise machine, have become very sophisticated now, and offer not just white noise but the sounds of waterfalls, rain on a tin roof, the sounds in the rain forest as well as the beating of a heart to help with a baby’s sleep. Gentle, slow music is another remedy that can help to improve sleep without medication.

• Hide your clock. A big, illuminated digital clock may cause you to focus on the time and make you feel stressed and anxious. Place your clock so you can’t see the time when you are in bed.

There are also some habits you should develop during the day to help with night sleep.

• Do not nap during the day. Sleeping trouble at night can be cured by not napping at daytime. If you are feeling especially tired and feel as if you absolutely must nap, be sure to sleep for less than 30 minutes, early in the day.

• Limit caffeine and alcohol. Avoid drinking caffeinated or alcoholic beverages for several hours before bedtime.
 
• Don’t smoke. Nicotine is a stimulant and can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.

• Expose yourself to bright light/sunlight soon after awakening. This will help to regulate your body’s natural biological clock. Likewise, try to keep your bedroom dark while you are sleeping so that the light will not interfere with your rest.

• Exercise early in the day. Twenty to thirty minutes of exercise every day can help you sleep, but be sure to exercise in the morning or afternoon. Aerobic activities before going to sleep can make falling asleep difficult as exercise stimulates the body.

Your level of iron should be checked. Iron deficient women tend to have more problems sleeping, so if your blood is iron poor, a supplement might help.

Sleeping machines with sounds is really a marvel of new technology.  You can get ones that have all the rain sounds or waterfalls, included with AM/FM radio, coupled with a CD player for your relaxation techniques.  When I worked the night shift, I began using one to block out daytime sounds, and 15 years later, I am still using it.  In fact, can’t go to sleep with out it.  I highly recommend for you to add one of these machines to your sleep environment.

Hundreds Of Natural Sleep Aids

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Snoring
Dated: 23 Jan 2009
Comment: 1

Are you looking for help in sleeping?  Perhaps this article can provide you with some tips to cure insomnia.

A sleep disorder (somnipathy) is any disruption in the sleep patterns of an individual. While some sleep disorders may leave you feeling unrefreshed, a number of symptoms are more severe including excessive sleepiness, snor¬ing, difficulty falling asleep during normal sleeping hours and abnormal be¬haviors such as restless leg syndrome. There are even disorders that cause you to get too much sleep.

Sleep medicine has become a recognized medical subspecialty. Doctors who specialize in sleep medicine help people who are unable to sleep well. Sleep doctors are able to detect and treat both common and rare sleep disorders. Some common sleep disorders are insomnia, jet lag, sleepwalking, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by chronic problems  falling asleep, staying asleep or only sleeping for several hours and being wake unable to fall back to sleep. It is typically followed by functional impairment while awake.

It can be caused by another disorder, by changes in the sleep environment, by the timing of sleep, or by stress. Researchers do not know exactly why people need sleep, but we do know that lack of sleep can kill. Humans deprived of sleep for long periods begin hallucinating and develop other mental problems.

The best way to fall asleep is to have good sleep habits or to use natural sleep aids. These include reducing stress by using visualization or relaxation techniques, making lifestyle changes such as no-smoking, no caffeine, no daytime naps, or getting more light during the day.  Other natural or best sleep aids are changing to a healthier diet and starting an exercise program.   But, if after making these changes to try to reduce problems with sleep, and after visiting a doctor to make sure there are no medical reasons for the insomnia; then there are other sleep aids that a person can consider using.

Several herbs benefit people ailing with sleeping problems.  One common herbal sleep aid is Valerian which has been recognized for years in Europe as being helpful with insomnia. It is sold in the United States as a dietary supplement.  There is no agreement on how this sleep aid works, but studies have shown that it does help with insomnia, as well as stress. There are side effects that have been reported, so before taking this herbal aid, a person should discuss taking Valerian with a pharmacist, especially if they are taking any prescription medications.  The root is the part that is used in herbal sleep aids, and side effects of headaches and night terror, have been reported.  The oil of this root is reported to have the odor of cat urine, so the most popular way to take Valerian is as a pill, rather than a tea made from the liquid.

Melatonin is a sleep aid to help people fall asleep — especially people who suffer from the insomnia caused by shift work or jet lag.Melatonin is a naturally found hormone in the body if another hormone called serotonin is exposed to decreased light at night.   It has side effects and most of the literature recommends it not being used by people with depression, schizophrenia, autoimmune diseases, or other serious illness. Pregnant and nursing women and children should also not use melatonin.

Other common over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids such as Sominex, or Nytol can also be tried by adults but, again, a person should discuss with a doctor before taking any of these sleep aids especially if the person suffers from and is being treated for depression, or other mental health problems as well as persons being treated for Parkinson’s disease. Most of the OTC sleep aids contain antihistamines which are known to cause some lingering side effects such as dry mouth, and excessive drowsiness.

There are many herbal teas for sleep presently on the market.  But the best way to fall asleep is naturally with correction of bad sleep habits.You can reset your sleeping cycle by a hundreds of natural sleep aids that are available.

Narcolepsy And Sleep Apnea: Two Important Sleeping Disorder

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Snoring
Dated: 23 Jan 2009
Comments: 0

Although we rarely identify it as a negative condition, many people actually get too much sleep.  Most of these people often complain that they have not gotten enough sleep on any given night. College students staying awake by taking lots of caffeine for finishing that paper is an example. Many times, they compensate for a lack of sleep at night by taking naps after (and sometimes during) their classes. This behavior might be recognized as “normal” by many teenagers and young people. However, many college-aged people suffer from sleep disorders. The most commonly recognized among these is insomnia, or the inability to obtain an adequate amount of sleep. But often overlooked and potentially harmful is hypersomnia.

Hypersomnia is defined as excessive daytime sleepiness and/or nighttime sleep. Humans sleep for an average of eight hours a night. Those with hypersomnia may find themselves sleeping for over ten hours at a time.  The most common symptoms are napping at inappropriate times, difficulty waking up, anxiety, irritability, restlessness and fatigue. Some more serious symptoms may include hallucination, loss of appetite, memory loss, or the inability to hear, see, taste, or smell things accurately. The disorder can have a profound effect on one’s ability to cope in social situations.  There is a range of possible causes for the condition, but the primary cause is described as abnormalities that occur during sleep or abnormalities of specific sleep functions.

Those with hypersomnia are generally diagnosed in one of four categories by a polysomnogram, which monitors a patient during one night of rest.

Post-traumatic Hypersomnia is caused by trauma to the central nervous system, such as a head injury or a traumatic accident. This kind of hypersomnia may last for a span of a few days or an entire lifetime following such an incident.

The symptoms of recurrent hypersomnia. The length of these episodes is not constant and can vary. The reason for recurrent hypersomnia is a dysfunctional hypothalamus.
Idiopathic Hypersomnia has no known cause and is the diagnosis most closely associated with the sleep disordernarcolepsy.

Normal Hypersomnia is seen in people who are commonly referred to as “long sleepers,” those who require more than ten hours of sleep per night as a result of genetic predisposition.

Hypersomnia shares some common symptoms with other sleep disorders: narcolepsy and sleep apnea. One’s night time sleep does not affect the “sleep attacks” one suffers from if suffering from Narcolepsy. It resembles hypersomnia in the respect that many experience onset during teenage and young adult years. Sleep apnea is a condition which causes intermittent shortness of breath during sleep. It affects people of all ages but bears a resemblance to hypersomnia in that it is caused by an abnormality of respiratory function during sleep. Like normal hypersomnia, it also tends to run in families.

Lifestyle conditions may add to the habit of sleeping excessively. Hypersomnia may be a symptom of some medications or withdrawal. Drug abuse, alcohol and also caffeine cause extended sleep.  It is estimated that approximately five percent of the population can be diagnosed with some form of hypersomnia.

However, the condition is greatly underreported because so many who have it do not realize that their excessive sleeping or napping behavior is abnormal. What is more, many do not realize what detrimental implications getting too much sleep can have for one’s life. Primarily, a normal schedule is interfered seriously by hypersomnia. One might miss large amounts of work, school, or other important activities. Secondly, many of the side effects of hypersomnia such as decreased concentration, anxiety, and memory loss all contribute to a diminished work or academic performance. Treatments for those diagnosed for hypersomnia may include the prescription of stimulant or antidepressant medications. Also, it is advised to maintain a regular bedtime/waking time, and to avoid intake of alcohol and caffeine.

Teas And Herbs As Sleep Aids

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Snoring
Dated: 23 Jan 2009
Comments: 0

Does “Tension Tamer” tea help with sleep? There are many good relaxation teas and herbs from which to choose as a sleep aid. One herbal tea which many people have reported good results with is known as “Tension Tamer” tea. The ingredients include eleuthero ginseng root, peppermint leaves, cinnamon, ginger root, chamomile flowers, lemon grass, licorice root, catnip leaves, tilia flowers, natural lemon flavor, hops, and vitamins B6 and B12. Reportedly, this tea can relieves stress or tension which helps with your sleep.

When it’s not convenient to have hot tea, you might want to try some of the many herbal supplements that promote relaxation. Be careful when buying these, though, because the name on the bottle can be misleading. There are at least three supplements called “Tension Tamer”. One is the original blend, one is the Ultimate blend, and one is the Unique blend. They each have slightly different ingredients and they are also different from the tea, itself.  Consult with an herbal professional or your pharmacist before starting any herbal treatment especially if you are on any prescription medications as the two might not work well together.

Why is sleep thought of as so important?Because your stage of sleep may not be reaching that point that repairs your body if your body does not go through a normal sleep cycle.  This stage of sleep is when your body naturally repairs the muscle, brain or hormone systems that have been damaged during the day.  Recently, it has become known how important this stage of sleep is – many medical problems are now being linked back to years of not sleeping well and not completing the entire sleep cycle every night.

Insomnia may be a symptom of any medical problems and because of that reason; sleep medicine is a recognized medical subspecialty. Doctors who specialize in sleep medicine help people who are unable to sleep well. Sleep doctors are able to detect and treat both common and rare sleep disorders. Some common sleep disorders are insomnia, jet lag, sleepwalking, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

So it is recommended that before you start any herbal or OTC (over-the-counter) sleep aids that you check with your doctor.  Also remember, just like prescription medications, herbs and OTC sleep aids have their good and bad effects and effect people differently.  Most teas have caffeine in them which is not helpful with sleep problems – as it can work as a stimulant and just keep you awake.  Often warm milk will work much better especially if you are effect by the caffeine.

Carbohydrate snacks like grain cracker can help to promote sleep if taken before bedtime.   A cup of tea and a few crackers may be just the ticket for your nighttime sleep – this has been reported by many to work well if you suffer from “restless leg syndrome.”

For many people with insomnia related sleep problems, good results have been reported with “Tension Tamer” tea.And since it has a catnip in it – your cat will love it too. Jokes apart.

Does Food Quality Help You Sleep

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Snoring
Dated: 23 Jan 2009
Comments: 0

There are many foods that help with insomnia as well as foods that should be avoided before bedtime.
Diet is important to make sure that you or your child gets enough sleep and sleeps well. Some children sleep different lengths of time, either shorter or longer. You lose sleep as a result of your child’s bedtime and sleeping patterns.  By avoiding certain foods before bedtime you are helping your child develop good habits that can have a positive effect on their sleep patterns that will last a lifetime and avoid many of the medical problems that can be caused by abnormal sleep patterns.

Chronic insomnia can itself be a symptom of another condition, such as depression, heart disease, sleep apnea, lung disease, or diabetes, so it’s important to see a doctor if you are having trouble sleeping or if your child is having trouble sleeping.  This is just a precaution to rule out any medical problems.

A well used and healthy body has very little trouble sleeping. That is why physical exercise is very good for a child as well as an adult.To avoid sleep problems, there should be an established regular bedtime for children.  You should also avoid candy or any foods that might act as a stimulant before bedtime.

It is important to make sure that your child gets enough sleep. Many parents are unsure about the right sleeping time for their child. According to reports from parents, many American children are not getting enough sleep. Some children sleep different lengths of time, either shorter or longer. But most children do have the ability to sleep through the night. Children who do not sleep well may have a sleep problem.

Many children have behavioral insomnia of childhood. This sleep disorder involves one or both of the two following problems:  All of us wake up briefly a number of times during the night. This sleep stage is known as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Parents naturally may feel that they need to “help” their child return to sleep. The child learns to connect or “associate” going to sleep with a person or activity. I have to rock my child to sleep every night and for every nap. Set aside 10 to 30 minutes to get your child ready to go to sleep each night.

A child who gets enough sleep is more likely to be cheerful during the day. The better the child sleeps, the happier the entire family will be. Most sleep problems in children are not a result of bad parenting. If your child has an ongoing sleep problem, then you should talk to your child’s doctor or to a sleep specialist. In reality, sleeping is your most valuable activity of the day. Sleeping well enables you to feel, think, and perform better.

In the United States, and in many other countries, sleep deprivation is common among students. School aged children should be getting between 8.5 and 9.25 hours of sleep but many do not. National Sleep Foundation survey findings are that college/university-aged students get an average 6.8 hours of sleep each night.

Foods that do help with sleep are warm milk, and foods with tryptophan which is an amino acid that is a precursor to serotonin, which is then converted to melatonin. Carbohydrate snacks such whole grain crackers before bedtime may help to promote sleep.  Also foods rich in magnesium as magnesium is a natural sedative. Deficiency of magnesium can result in difficulty sleeping, constipation, muscle tremors or cramps, anxiety, irritability, and pain.

So diet does have an effect on sleep.  Avoid caffeine, sweets, chocolates or any diet that could be considered a stimulate before bedtime – especially with child.  And add to your diet foods rich in tryptophan and magnesium.

A Wonderful Sleep Spa Experience

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Snoring
Dated: 23 Jan 2009
Comments: 0

In the question of sleeping helping eliminate wrinkles, the answer seems to be yes and that is where the well known phrase “getting my beauty sleep” comes from.   Women notice when not getting enough sleep, same wrinkles develop around the eyes and other areas of the face.  Perhaps that is why older adults have more wrinkles as they seem to sleep less than any other age group.

But is there any real science behind the myth of beauty sleep? More and more experts say yes. Scientific studies haven’t looked at how sleep affects appearance directly—for example, the way the lack of it impacts skin renewal—but we do know that our bodies repair cells and tissues while we sleep. Poor health can make us look little less beautiful and research also supports the notion that poor sleep patterns lead to poor health.

Sleep contributes as much to our well-being as eating a proper diet and exercising, but the average American adult sleeps less than seven hours a night, compared to nine hours in 1910. Sleeping only five hours a night may change our appearance because of the link between obesity and insufficient sleep. Lack of sleep lowers leptin levels and raises ghrelin, two hormones that regulate appetite, according to a study at Stanford University. Less time sleeping also increases the risk of developing type-2 diabetes, a health problem linked to weight gain. Studies have shown that everyone needs to sleep properly to metabolize the calories you take in during the day.

There are even sleep spas that are beginning to be marketed.  Sleep spas provide a tranquil setting, give people a break from their usual routines and help them identify the unconscious patterns that contribute to troubled sleep.

As you would expect, a sleep spa experience feels more like a retreat at an expensive hotel than a typical doctor’s visit. And the fees look as if, only the rich and famous can afford them.  At one spa, for example, you can order a sleep enhancement/insomnia relief package; a snoring/sleep apnea evaluation; or an all-night polysomnography (a formal overnight study) to assess problems such as multiple awakenings, snoring, sleep apnea, and daytime sleepiness. For anywhere from $140 to $2,275, a staff of sleep professionals will try to comprehend all of your sleeping problems.

Cosmetic and toiletry brands have gotten in on the act too, launching an array of products to lull you into lullaby land. Although few of these have been tested for effectiveness, many contain lavender (Lavandula augustifolia), a proven treatment for insomnia, according to recent studies. There are also several varieties of mattress, bedding and pillows all marketed to better sleep.

It seems that adults are having to relearn healthy sleep habit such as sleeping on a schedule, avoiding big meals before bedtime, turning off all lights, computers, and blinking Blackberries. The sleep hormone melatonin is sensitive to even low levels of light. More suggestions are also getting regular exercise and winding down with a warm bath, quiet music, a book or a few yoga stretches, just before you climb into bed, or getting a short nap in the afternoon.  In fact, in Mexico, in the afternoon, everything shuts down for several hours so everyone can get a “siesta”, or nap.

So, yes, enough sleep can help with wrinkles as well as other symptoms of aging. Catching enough z’s may not be easy, but it’s one of the best—and cheapest (when you do it at home) —ways to enhance your health and, consequently, your appearance.

Surgical Patient Information About Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Snoring
Dated: 23 Jan 2009
Comments: 0

Normally during sleep, air moves in and out of the lungs as the upper airway (throat), chest muscles, and diaphragm move in a coordinated fashion.  In a person with sleep apnea, air movement is periodically disrupted or reduced.

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can affect a person’s ability to safely perform normal daily activities. It is thought that approximately 25 percent of adults are at risk for sleep apnea. Men are more commonly affected than women; other risk factors include middle and older age, being overweight or obese, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The throat is surrounded by muscles that open and close the airway while speaking, swallowing, or breathing. These throat muscles relaxing improperly during sleep or the throat being too small can cause th airway to be narrowed. This can result in snoring and decreased air flow into and out of the lungs, which is called an obstructive hypopnea. Complete closure of the airway results in cessation of all air movement, and is called an obstructive apnea. A person can suffer from apneas and hyperapneas during sleep.

Changes in blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels occur when breathing is abnormal during sleep. Even if these levels change only slightly, the brain recognizes that there has been an interruption in normal breathing. The brain also recognizes when more work is required to get air into the lungs, as may occur when the throat is completely or partially blocked.

This causes partial awakening (arousal) from sleep. A person can be senseless even though his brain may be partially awake. When these arousals occur, the throat muscles contract, the airway is reopened and normal breathing resumes. Often but not always, a loud snore or snort is associated with this. The person often goes back to sleep quickly, usually without being aware of the episode. Alternately, some patients with OSAH awaken suddenly and completely with a sensation of gasping, smothering, or choking.

Once sleep resumes, the throat muscles relax, the airway closes, and the pattern repeats itself. This cycle of abnormal breathing, disruption of sleep, resumption of sleep, and recurrence of abnormal breathing can occur many times throughout the night. In this way, OSAH can cause significant sleep disruption and deprivation as well as notable episodes of reduced blood oxygen levels. This is true even if the person is not aware of the frequent interruptions. In addition to poor quality sleep, OSAH may be associated with an increased risk of or worsening of common heart problems.

Severe daytime sleepiness and loud snoring are two symptoms of OSAH. However, some people have no symptoms. For example, if the person does not have a bed partner, he or she may not be aware of the snoring. Sleepiness can also develop gradually over time to the point that the person accepts it as normal.
Other symptoms may include one or more of the following:

• Restless sleep
• Awakening with choking, gasping, or smothering
• Awakening with chest pain or discomfort
• Morning dry mouth or sore throat
Confusion arising in the morning
• Morning headaches
• Personality change
• Memory impairment, difficulty concentrating
• Impotence
• Frequent awakenings to urinate

Surgery is generally reserved for patients who cannot tolerate or do not improve with non-surgical treatments such as CPAP or oral devices. The procedures followed in a surgery can cause structures in the upper airways to get reshaped or the jaw to reposition which is helpful to some patients. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures; it removes the uvula and excessive tissue in the throat, including the tonsils if present. Other surgical techniques include genioglossus advancement, maxillary-mandibular advancement, and radiofrequency ablation (RFA), alone or in combination. In general, it is hard to predict how effective a surgical treatment will be in reducing or eliminating sleep apnea. Thus, such treatments should be considered with caution.

A permanent opening in the neck is caused by the surgical procedure Tracheostmy. It is reserved for patients with severe disease in whom less drastic measures have failed or are inappropriate. Although it is always successful in eliminating sleep apnea, tracheostomy requires significant lifestyle changes and carries some serious risks (eg, infection, bleeding, blockage).

Best Cure for Snoring

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Snoring
Dated: 20 Jan 2009
Comments: 0

Searching for the best cure for snoring is an impossible mission for a lot of people. Discovering the best treatment for snoring is one thing that a lot of people have spent a lot of time searching for. Snoring could create numerous problems with your relationship and the way you function in the daytime. It is necessary for you to have a cure for snoring that will do the job for you.

Many cures have been attempted. The best cure for snoring must involve seeing a doctor first. It’s very critical to find the cause of snoring before trying to cure it. There might be a serious medical issue responsible for the snoring, and if you don’t have it diagnosed, you might be taking a big risk with your health.

It is counterproductive to search for the best cure for snoring if you are ignorant of the cause. You could have soft palate issues which are causing the trouble. If palate issues are making you snore, you should discuss surgery options with your doctor as a possible cure for your snoring issues.  A doctor can do a minor surgery to stop any vibrations that are the results of issues with your palate or overly large tonsils.

A snoring source could be the nasal passages are blocked, causing air to be forced through. This is an example of snoring which may be corrected with simple surgery. Ask the doctor to figure out whether a deviated septum is what is causing the snoring and what might be done about this issue.

Not breathing periodically while asleep is a symptom of sleep apnea and must be investigated with your doctor. Ask your partner about this. Yor partner certainly hears when you are snoring and may have even noticed that at times you make no noise at all–you have stopped breathing. Sleep apnea may also contribute to the snoring your partner is complaining about.

Sufferers of sleep apnea will actually cease to breathe while asleep, and the snoring is a result of air forcing itself through air passages. You’ll need to be tested in a sleep study lab for confirmation of sleep apnea.  The best cure for snoring when it comes to sleep apnea is the use of the CPAP mask to deliver air continuously while sleeping.

When seeking the best cure for snoring, you must first determine what type of snoring you’re suffering from. It’s more than just an irritating problem; it might be a rather serious medical issue. A doctor will recommend treatment that is based on the diagnosis made.