Best Sleep Apnea Treatments.com

Obstructive sleep apnea is also called sleep apnea. Obstructive means there is something that is blocking your airway when you lie down to sleep. If you find it difficult to sleep, that you are gasping for breath, and you are always snoring, a sleep machine could give you results that you need to get the rest you need without interrupting your breathing patterns. The airway passages that are sealed or partially sealed as you sleep cause you to stop breathing. As you stop breathing you are adding stress on your heart, on your body and you will not feel rested in the morning.
A breathing machine can help you get the air you need, the oxygen that you need, and the rest you need to keep you going. The signs of sleep apnea include those of always being tired, that you are irritable because you are not sleeping good, and you have difficultly focusing your eyes, or your mind when concentrating during the day.
As you are unable to get the air you need, the oxygen you need to replenish your body you are putting your self at risk for additional medical conditions and problems. If you don’t treat your sleep apnea, or your obstructed airways you could have a heart attack, you could have a stroke, you could have high blood pressure and these conditions can also lead to diabetes. Associated with all of these symptoms are being overweight, and stressful work or family life.
Therapy can aid your situation. You can use a breathing machine or a dental item to open your airways. Using a breathing machine is going to give you additional higher oxygen levels. The dental item is going to open your jaw so you don’t have an obstruction. There are also over the counter medications, such as the breath right strips and similar items, that can open your passages so you can breath all night long, and get the rest you need. If over the counter medications and items don’t work, you could seek the help of your family doctor, take a sleep test, and consider a surgical procedure that will correct the obstruction and then open the airways while you are sleeping.
To get a good nights sleep please visit:www.disorders-sleep.info
Author Darren Mallory
C/O www.akashop.com

One of the most common sleep disorders in the world is sleep apnea, affecting millions of people each year.  Sleep apnea occurs when a person stops breathing while they are asleep, for at least 10 seconds according to many medical journals.  This can happen multiple times during the night, sometimes resulting in the person awakening and sometimes with the person remaining asleep but acting restless during the night.Sleep apnea can result in chronic fatigue for the person affected by the condition.  Because the person’s inability to breathe is disrupting their sleep at night, whether they awaken or not, the person is not getting the quality sleep that will allow them to awake refreshed in the morning.  After consecutive nights of this occurring, the person will become fatigued, irritable, and drowsy during the day.Sleep apnea can be a difficult condition to diagnose because the person may be unaware that they stop breathing in their sleep.  All that they know is that they may wake up in the middle of the night for no reason and even when they do sleep through the night, they are still tired when they awake.  It may take months or years to determine the actual cause of the person’s restlessness at night and during that time the person will continue to experience episodes of sleep apnea and may even become conditioned to its effects.Treating sleep apnea can also be difficult because of the nature of the condition.  Different treatments may be used but their effectiveness can be difficult to judge without a third party observing the sleeping behavior of the affected person.  The condition is usually diagnosed by a loved one observing the interrupted sleep pattern of the person.  The loved one also the person that observes the effects of the treatment and tells the doctor whether or not it is working.The treatments used for sleep apnea cover a wide variety of options.  Choosing the option that is best for a person’s condition will depend on the type of sleep apnea affecting them and how severe the condition is.  Some people are helped by changing the position that they sleep in at night while others will need some sort of medical device to help them keep their airways open while they sleep.  If the person’s condition is severe, then there are medical and surgical options that can be used to give the patient some relief from their condition.  Sleep apnea is a condition that can be devastating to the people that it affects, but there are ways to reduce the effects that sleep apnea has on a person’s life.

One of the most common sleep disorders in the world is sleep apnea, affecting millions of people each year. Sleep apnea occurs when a person stops breathing while they are asleep, for at least 10 seconds according to many medical journals. This can happen multiple times during the night, sometimes resulting in the person awakening and sometimes with the person remaining asleep but acting restless during the night.
Sleep apnea can result in chronic fatigue for the person affected by the condition. Because the person’s inability to breathe is disrupting their sleep at night, whether they awaken or not, the person is not getting the quality sleep that will allow them to awake refreshed in the morning. Ideally each of us needs 3 hours of uniterrupted sleep for our bodys to properly recharge and repair itself during the night. Constant interruption of this resting and healing phase while we’re asleep can cause the sufferer constant hardship through extreme fatigue. The persons health will also start to suffer after several months of such problems. After consecutive nights of this occurring, the person will become fatigued, irritable, and drowsy during the day.
Sleep apnea can be a difficult condition to diagnose because the person may be unaware that they stop breathing in their sleep- simply because they’re asleep and have no awareness that anything has actually happened to them at all. All that they know is that they may wake up in the middle of the night for no reason and even when they do sleep through the night, they are still tired when they awake. It may take months or years to determine the actual cause of the person’s restlessness at night and during that time the person will continue to experience episodes of sleep apnea and may even become conditioned to its effects.
Treating sleep apnea can also be difficult because of the nature of the condition. Different treatments may be used but their effectiveness can be difficult to judge without a third party observing the sleeping behavior of the affected person. The condition is usually diagnosed by a loved one observing the interrupted sleep pattern of the person. The loved one also the person that observes the effects of the treatment and tells the doctor whether or not it is working.
The treatments used for sleep apnea cover a wide variety of options. Choosing the option that is best for a person’s condition will depend on the type of sleep apnea affecting them and how severe the condition is. Some people are helped by changing the position that they sleep in at night while others will need some sort of medical device to help them keep their airways open while they sleep. If the person’s condition is severe, then there are medical and surgical options that can be used to give the patient some relief from their condition. Sleep apnea is a condition that can be devastating to the people that it affects, but there are ways to reduce the effects that sleep apnea has on a person’s life.

Whilst sleep apnea is a very serious and progressive disorder, it is also highly treatable in a variety of different ways. How sleep apnea is treated depends entirely on the cause and type of sleep apnea.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is by nature an obstruction within the airways which inhibits breathing during sleep. For this type of sleep apnea cures may be available to some people, it all depends on what is causing the obstruction.

In the case of the clinically obese, the tissues of the airways can bulk out due to fat tissue, causing the air passage to become narrower making it harder for air to pass through. If an obese person lost as much of their weight as possible, their air passages would be much more open and they would breathe much easier.

Quitting smoking or drinking can also help some suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Smoking inflames the tissues of the airways causing narrowing, whilst alcohol is a depressant causing the muscles and tissues of the airways to relax and close.

One of the most bizarre treatments for some Obstructive Sleep Apnea sufferers is playing the Australian instrument the didgeridoo. Because of how the didgeridoo is played, over time the throat muscles and tissues tone up so aren’t so prone to collapsing during sleep. As strange as this treatment may be, it really is worth a shot as studies show it can drastically improve or even cure Obstructive Sleep Apnea in some.

Surgery may also be used to treat some Obstructive Sleep Apnea sufferers by surgically removing or reducing the obstruction thus widening the airways. Commonly, the tonsils or adenoids aren’t helping matters so are removed. Devices are also sometimes used which can force the lower jaw forward during sleep, thus opening the airways, whilst some devices may hold the tongue in place to prevent it from flopping back over the airways during sleep.

For other people, there are mechanical treatments such as sleeping whilst hooked up to a CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) system. This device works simply by keeping the airways open with air pressure.

Another tip for people suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea is to lie on your side during sleep. By lying on your back, the tissues of the throat and the tongue tend to collapse backwards causing obstruction. Lying on your side this doesn’t happen so much. Remembering this whilst you are awake and reading is one thing, but you are still likely to end up lying on your back at some point during sleep. For this there is another bizarre yet extremely effective tactic you can employ. If you have pyjama trousers with back pockets you can put a tennis ball inside each pocket. Now, if during the course of sleep you attempt to lie on your back, you will find this uncomfortable and instinctively manoeuvre to lie on your side again.

If you don’t have these kinds of pyjamas, you can always modify some you do have to accommodate a tennis ball or two.

If the cause of obstruction can be identified, then the suitable form of treatment can be provided.

Central Sleep Apnea isn’t a physical obstruction, but a glitch in the brains signals which result in the lungs not been given the instruction to breathe from time to time. A person may go for seconds or even a few minutes without drawing breath. Unfortunately, as this is a neurological issue, there is no permanent fix CPAP may sometimes be used to treat Central Sleep Apnea, although depending on the individual, a person will usually be put on a course of prescribed drugs which they may respond extremely well to.

Sleep apnea is recognized as a common condition among overweight children. If your child has sleep apnea, he stops breathing for a period of 10 to 20 seconds during sleep. The interruption of breathing may extend up to 2 minutes. This episode may occur hundreds of times in a single night.

Sleep apnea can be caused by complete obstruction of airway or partial obstruction. Therefore obstructive sleep apnea is defined as obstruction of airway during sleep. Due to the obstruction of airway, your child’s sleep gets interrupted. As the sleep is interrupted, your child may feel drowsy during the daytime. This also results in tiredness, headaches, loss of memory, lack of energy and depression.

If your child is a normal weight child, he may have tonsils and adenoids which can be cured with surgery. If you child is overweight, the excess fat may narrow the airway. Excess body fat on the neck and chest constricts the air-passageways and sometimes the lungs.

Obesity, mainly abdominal and upper body obesity, is the most significant risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea. Thus morbid or malignant obesity carries a greater risk.

If your child lies down, the throat muscles relax, the tongue falls back and the airway gets obstructed. Due to the obstructed airway, the oxygen cannot be pumped to various parts of the body. Therefore oxygen levels drop, and your child arouses from sleep to breathe and the cycle begins again. Your child might experience snoring which is the result of sleep apnea.

Snoring results from the vibration of excess tissue – whether it’s fat, large natural anatomy or both – as the child breathes in.

Here are the signs and symptoms so that you can identify that your child is suffering from sleep apnea.

1. Interruption of breathing during sleep. Your child may gasp for breathing when breathing is interrupted.

2. Loud snoring or noisy breathing during sleep. As a parent of your child, you can find if they snore; your child may make all types of strange noises when he is sleeping. But snoring is less common in children.

3. Your child may be having a restless sleep. If your child is having sleep apnea, he is not going to get a good night sleep, as may not be able to breath properly while sleeping.

4. Breathing through the mouth, rather than through the nose.

5. Excessive tiredness or daytime sleepiness during the day.

6. With the inability to breath properly, your child may have difficulty in paying attention and difficulty in concentrating.

7. Your child may be having tonsils and adenoids.

Your child may sleep with his mouth open. You can see his chest retract as he gasps for air, and he sometimes sleep in strange positions. Your child may show signs of depression or outward signs of confusion because he may be generally tired, from lack of sleep. Your child may also show signs of behavior changes as he is not getting the sleep needed.

Due to the presence of some, or indeed many, of these signs does not necessarily mean that your child is suffering from sleep apnea, but it would be better to consult a specialist if he is facing with any of these symptoms.

Today, sleep apnea is being widely recognized as a common disorder amongst children of all ages, and particularly amongst children between the ages of about three and six. Estimates vary, but in the United States alone, the number of children suffering from sleep apnea is put at between one and a half and two million.

While sleep apnea might not sound like a very serious problem it can have very serious effects on your life. Experts agree that in order to function properly, most adults need around seven or eight hours of sleep each night and most of this should be uninterrupted to allow the brain to get into its deep sleep rhythms. If you have sleep apnea, however you’re probably being awakened many times during the night and thus unable to get into a deep sleep.
People with this condition often wake up unrefreshed even though they’ve been in bed for eight hours. Sometimes they might wake up with a headache, sore throat or dry mouth. If you’re not getting the necessary sleep at night or not feeling good when you wake up then chances are you are not performing your best at work and may even be falling asleep at your desk, or worse yet while driving.
Sleep apnea can affect your personal life too. If you’re not getting enough sleep, your probably cranky and not too much fun to be around. Of course, this can have adverse effects on any relationship and also diminishes your enjoyment of life.
So if you have sleep apnea, you’d see why it would be important to get to your doctor in order to have the appropriate diagnosis, wouldn’t you? Then why are so many people suffering with this when there are treatments available? The simple reason is that over 90% of the people with it don’t even know that they have it!
Sleep apnea can be a very subtle problem and because it is happening while you’re asleep, you might not even remember them waking up in the middle of the night. Therefore, you probably want to be aware of some other symptoms that might indicate the need for a trip to the doctor. Here are some things to look out for:
1. Loud snoring (many people that don’t have sleep apnea snore however this may be an indication).
2. Choking or gasping for air during the night.
3. A waking suddenly.
4. Waking up in the morning and feeling like you didn’t get enough sleep.
5. Waking up in the middle of the night in a sweat.
6. Being sleepy during the day for no good reason.
7. Waking up with a dry mouth, headache or sore throat.
Sleep apnea can be caused by a few things, the most common type called obstructive sleep apnea is caused by an obstruction that blocks your breathing. This can be either that you have large adenoids or tonsils, you have a smaller than normal airway due to the shape of your neck, your soft palate is getting in the way of your breathing or your tongue and throat muscles relax too much when you are sleeping.
The two other types are central sleep apnea which is very rare and is the cause of a central nervous system disorder caused by a brain infection, brain tumor, stroke or injury and mixed sleep apnea which is a combination of the other two.
In addition to wreaking havoc on your relationships and your enjoyment of life, sleep apnea can have some pretty serious health problems as well. When you stop breathing during the night not only does it cause sleep deprivation, it also causes oxygen deprivation. These can in turn affect her life in the following ways:
1. Daytime tiredness
2. Emotional imbalance
3. Poor mental function
4. Compromised immune system
5. Low energy
6. Slow reaction time
7. Heart abnormalities
8. High blood pressure and stroke
9. Memory problems
10. Weight gain
11. Sexual dysfunction
12. Depression
13. More apt to falsely driving, thus causing a car accident
If you do have sleep apnea, however, don’t despair! There are quite a few treatments available and you should be able to find something that suit you. Some of the treatments involve lifestyle changes such as losing weight, sleeping on your side and not smoking. Some make use of medications and devices that help open airways. And if nothing else helps, there are some surgeries that can help the problem.

It is estimated that 2% to 4% of children in the United States under the age of ten suffer from childhood sleep apnea. These children frequently display behaviors and/or symptoms that are generally associated with other childhood disorders, not sleep apnea. These behaviors may include the tendency to resist going to sleep, restless or interrupted sleep patterns, bedwetting, irritability, depression, a diminished ability to learn and thrive academically, and excessive frustration or aggression. Unfortunately, because these behaviors are indicative of other serious disorders, many children are misdiagnosed with behavioral disorders such as Oppositional-Defiant Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). As a result, childhood sleep apnea often goes unnoticed and untreated.
In addition to behavioral problems, childhood sleep apnea can also cause serious health problems. There is an increased risk of high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease and stroke. In some cases, it can also cause a condition known as failure to thrive where the child fails to grow and gain weight at a normal rate. In infants, sleep apnea can lead to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) if left undiagnosed.
Children that suffer from sleep apnea often exhibit symptoms while they are asleep that are easily recognizable. Some of the more common symptoms include raspy breathing while they are asleep, light snoring in infants and toddlers or loud snoring in older children, breathing through the mouth instead of the nose, restless sleep that includes kicking and rolling around, gasping for air or choking while they are asleep, and pauses in breathing while they are asleep. All of these symptoms tend to have a negative impact on the way a child functions during the day. They may seem lethargic and/or have difficulty concentrating.
One of the most common forms of childhood sleep apnea is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which is the actual blockage of the airways when the child is sleeping. The blockages can occur is several different ways. Children tend to have large tonsils and adenoids that are relatively close to the opening of their airways. When they lie down, the tonsils and adenoids fall into a position that block the airways, which causes episodes of sleep apnea. Obesity can also cause OSA. When a child is overweight, it tends to put more pressure on the airways, which in turn can lead to breathing difficulties. Facial or cranial deformities and neuromuscular disorders can also cause OSA. When the muscles in the throat relax during sleep they can block the airways.
In order to determine whether or not a child has sleep apnea they will have to undergo a sleep study. If they are diagnosed with this disorder there are several things that can be done to treat it. In many cases, the solution is to have the child’s tonsils and adenoids surgically removed. In many cases, the apnea episodes completely subside after surgery. If surgery is not suitable, another option is a Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure Machine, also known as a CPAP machine. This machine delivers continuous air into the child’s airways, forcing them to breath.
Childhood sleep apnea is a serious disorder that can have a negative effect on a child’s quality of life. If your child exhibits any of the symptoms or behavioral problems associated with sleep apnea, have them tested. It is not difficult to treat and eliminating it can make a world of difference to a child that is suffering from it.

The sleeping problem called sleep apnea is well known today. Certain pauses in the air intake that cause the patients to wake up throughout the night are a major problem faced by many people. People with this sleeping disorder will feel drowsy with severe headache when they wake up. Their whole day will be ruined because of their drowsiness. This article is all about sleep apnea and the treatment options that are available today for this dangerous sleeping disorder.Types Of Sleep ApneaSleep Apnea is classified into three main types such as:Central sleep apnea (CSA), Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and Mixed sleep apnea Before explaining about the different types of this sleeping disorder, we’d like to say that all types of sleep apnea will have the same effects: sleeplessness, drowsiness and severe headache. Now let’s explain more about the three different types of sleep apnea.1. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)The central type of sleep apnea is closely associated with the brain impulses. Under certain conditions, the brain will fail to send the impulse required to stimulate breathing resulting in some discontinued breath cycle. Central sleep apnea is occurs more often in people who have heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, or congenital diseases. Recent researches indicate that central sleep apnea will can occur as a result of consuming certain kinds of medication.2. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)This sleeping disorder is caused due to the narrowing of the air passage than normal. The obstructive sleep apnea can be related to many other medical problems such as high blood pressure, Heart problems, Weight gain, Constant tiredness, Diabetes, Slow metabolism, Memory/concentration problems, Depression, Anxiety, Sore throat and Dry mouth. 3. Mixed sleep apneaAs the name indicates, this type of sleep apnea is a combination of both central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea. The treatment options available for Sleep apnea:Unlike the past, today there are many treatment options available for the treatment of this sleeping disorder. CPAP therapy is widely used for the treatment of sleep apnea. This therapy involves air that is pushed into the respiratory system with the help of a special device called a CPAP machine. The machine is hooked up to a CPAP mask that resembles a ventilator in looks and pumps air into the air passage when the sleep apnea cycle occurs.The Difficulties of using CPAP masksPeople using the CPAP masks have reported five main difficulties like:* Air leakage* Pressure from headgear* Limited sleep positions* Skin irritation* NoiseThe Solution:All the 5 difficulties associated with the traditional CPAP masks are overcome by a technological breakthrough. Various researches confirm that the latest invention called “SleepWeaver CPAP mask” eliminates all the 5 difficulties involved in the traditional CPAP therapy.

Sleep Apnea is a potentially dangerous disorder because it is a condition when breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.There are two main types of sleep apnea. The more common one is obstructive sleep apnea. It occurs when throat muscles relax and your airway narrows or closes preventing you to breath in. The brain, then, wakes you up for a moment to restore breathing. This process might occur between 5 and 30 times every hour during the entire night.Central sleep apnea is caused when the brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.Complex sleep apnea is the combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea.Depending on which type of sleep apnea you have and how bad it is, you have many different options to treat it or make it more manageable.Treatments for sleep apnea fall into several different categories:Treatments for sleep apnea with breathing-assistance devices.Surgery for sleep apnea in the cases when the condition is life-threateningThere are also home remedies, lifestyle changes and alternative treatments for sleep apnea you can try with the supervision of your doctor.

Treatments For Sleep ApneaSome machines deliver air pressure, grater than that of the surrounding air through a mask placed over your nose while you sleep. This is called continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and is just enough to keep your upper airway passages open and prevent you from snoring. It works for moderate or severe sleep apnea, but is somewhat uncomfortable and using it requires adjustment time. Trying on more than one mask and using a humidifier with your CPAP machine could be helpful. Always consult a doctor before you quit using the CPAP machine, since minor adjustments might fix the problem.There are devices that automatically adjust the air pressure while you sleep and might be better than the CPAP. These are units that supply bilievel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) and provide more pressure when you inhale and less pressure when you exhale.One recently approved airflow device is Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV). It learns your normal breathing pattern and saves it into a computer. During sleep the device uses pressure to normalize yout breathing and prevent pauses. ASV may be more successful than CPAP at treating central sleep apnea, but there hasn’t been enough research yet.Easier to use than a CPAP but less effective are oral appliances. They are designed to keep your throat open by bringing your jaw forward. This sometimes relieves snoring and can treat mild obstructive sleep apnea. Oral devices can usually be supplied by your dentist. There are many different ones and it might take some time until you find the best fit. Always follow up with your dentist at least twice a year to reassess your symptoms and make sure that the fit is still good for you.People whose tongue is the main source of obstruction when they lye on their back might benefit from tongue-restraining devices (TRDs), which is a suction cup that is gripped with the teeth and sucks the tongue forward.Surgery For Sleep ApneaWhen you have sleep apnea, your air passages are blocked or you have extra tissue around your nose and throat that may be vibrating and causing snoring. The goal of surgery for sleep apnea is to remove the extra tissue. There are several ways to do this:Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) – Extra tissue is removed from the rear of your mouth and the top of your throat, most likely including the tonsils and adenoids. If, however, there is tissue farther down your throat, it will not be removed during the operation and will continue to cause trouble while you sleep.Maxillomandibular advancement – It makes obstruction less likely by moving forward the upper and lower part of your jaw from the remainder of your face bones, which enlarges the space behind the tongue and soft palate.Tracheostomy – this is the most serious procedure, done only when you have life-threatening sleep apnea. A metal or plastic tube is inserted through an opening in your neck, to assist your breathing. The opening is kept covered during the day and uncovered at night.Laser-assisted ululopalatoplasty and Radiofrequency ablation – these are procedures where your doctor removes tissues in the back of your throat with a laser or radiofrequency energy. They are used to treat snoring but are not recommended as sole treatments for obstructive sleep apnea. Other procedures for reducing snoring are nasal surgery and surgery to remove enlarged tonsils and adenoids.Lifestyle Changes and Home Remedies For Sleep ApneaThere are many things you can do on your own to manage or treat obstructive sleep apnea and possibly central sleep apnea.Lose WeightQuit SmokingAvoid alcohol and certain medicationsSleep on your side or abdomenKeep your nasal passages open at nightTreat heart or neuromuscular disordersTreat allergies and respiratory infections

Alternative Sleep Apnea TreatmentsTreating sleep apnea with tea therapy:A cup of hot tea before bedtime can promote normal and restful sleep. There are several types of tea known for their ability to promote sleepiness:Sleepy Time TeaChamomile TeaValerian TeaHops TeaCatnip TeaTreating sleep apnea with homeopathyIt is important you consult a homeopathic practitioner before you start any treatment. According to the constitutional type of the person different types of treatments will be recommended. Diet should be closely monitored, eliminating sugar and other allergic foods, since homeopathic practitioners believe sleep apnea is related to a loss of energy.Treating sleep apnea with yogaYoga is appropriate for all ages and can greatly reduce stress and improve the quality of sleep. Their are breathing and relaxation techniques that will relieve your sleep apnea. The special type of yoga that promotes sleep is called Yoga Nidra, which in Sanskrit means Sleep. Yoga uses breathing and visualization techniques to help you relax, and it is recommended you do the exercises every night before sleep.Treating sleep apnea with acupunctureIn Chinese medicine acupuncture has been used for a long time to treat sleeping disorders. Many techniques have been developed to improve the ease, duration, and quality of sleep. The procedure known as acupressure consists of applying to identified body points related to sleep issues.For more information on treating sleep apnea and a detailed explanation of each sleep apnea treatment, please visit Cure Sleep Apnea Now.

The article discusses the condition of apnea patient, William Chapman. It goes on to examine how a chronic apnea sufferer could get relief from modern treatment methods. 

A sleep lab patient, Pasadena resident William H. Chapman, was tested after his wife wrote his doctor to express concern about his restless sleep. Chapman, 61, has been a heavy snorer for decades. 

“The descriptions of my snoring went from something like a growling bear to a machine that was going to knock down the house,” he said. When he and his son went camping in southern Utah last year, his son asked him to sleep in the truck. 

He felt bone-tired during the day, what he describes as “30 years struggling against this weariness that you feel perpetually. No alertness. No get-up-and-go.” 

Finally, Chapman spent a night at Torrance Memorial, plugged into the polysomnograph. The test results were startling: He was holding his breath as many as 57 times an hour, each time for 10 to 40 seconds. He would wake repeatedly as he held his breath, meaning that he unknowingly was sleeping only four or five hours a night. 

A federal report concluded that while 60 million Americans suffer from apnea, narcolepsy and other chronic sleep problems, the majority are undiagnosed and untreated. Despite its pervasiveness and impact upon the society, sleep-related problems are not recognized as a public health issue. 

The most common and severe form, called obstructive sleep apnea, features extremely loud snoring interrupted by pauses and gasps. Breathing stops for 10 seconds or longer, sometimes dozens or even hundreds of times each night. 

Most frequently, the airway becomes blocked during sleep due to excessive relaxation of throat muscles. In children, sleep apnea is often the result of enlarged tonsils and adenoids.

People with sleep apnea may show signs of anxiety, depression, irritability, forgetfulness and fatigue during the day. Recent studies have found that sleep apnea sufferers have two to five times as many automobile accidents as people in the general population. 

Treatment includes weight reduction (most people with severe sleep apnea are overweight); avoiding alcohol within two hours of bedtime and sleeping drugs; surgery to remove excess tissue at the back of the throat or enlarged tonsils and adenoids; use of a special mask that improves flow of air through nasal passages. 

Undergoing surgery or sleeping with a mask clamped to your face may seem like extreme measures just to silence snoring. But if you have sleep apnea, those treatments could save your life.

Wake up happy! Discover the proven sleep apnea treatments that guarantee a healthy and restful sleep! To grab your free report go to Best Sleep Apnea Treatments