The Exhaustion of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea Breathing Machine
Dated: 4 Dec 2009
Comments: 0

If you are one of an estimated 20 million Americans who wake each morning wishing you could sleep for several more hours, you may be suffering from OSA: Obstructive Sleep Apnea; a common sleep disorder where the breathing airway is partially blocked by fatty neck tissue or by the uvula (the dangling tissue at the back of the throat).  The blockage might cause breathing to stop for several seconds at a time: the break in breathing can even continue for up to a minute.  These breaks are called sleep ‘apneas’ and might occur hundreds of times throughout a night’s sleep.

People suffering sleep apneas might be susceptible to heavy snoring through the night and be extremely tired during waking hours as a result of constant sleep interruption throughout each night, with feelings of irritability; moodiness; morning headaches and a general inability to deal with the normal ups and downs of daily life.  Someone suffering from sleep apnea might also experience memory problems and reduced energy.

Remarkably, 90 – 95% of sleep apnea sufferers are unaware they have a problem and might be blissfully unaware of their battles to breathe normally through the night. The disorder can actually be dangerous, as it can prompt a number of serious conditions such as heart arrhythmias; stroke; metabolic syndrome; heart failure and high blood pressure.  There is also a higher risk of depression for people with OSA.

Sleep apnea is thought to cause up to 200,000 traffic accidents in the USA each year as a result of drivers slipping into sleep behind the wheel!  Lethargy and tiredness can also lead to a reluctance for exercise and put a person suffering from obesity at risk of further weight gain, although not all OSA sufferers are obese.

Luckily, OSA is easily treated: a sleep test is a comfortable process conducted in a laboratory or at home.  Breathing sensors monitor the sleeper’s breathing; pulse and oxygen levels; collating information during the night to be analysed by medical sleep specialists.  A CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine may then be used to assist correct breathing during the night, providing air that is set at the correct pressure by means of a mask worn over the nose and mouth.

The Aviisha Medical Wellness Institute in Los Angeles is recognised to provide definitive sleep assessment and treatment for sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, through tests in sleep labs; home sleep analysis and customized weight loss programs for patients who suffer from sleep apnea and obesity.  Aviisha customizes the most effective treatment plan for individual patients after analysing lifestyle and medical history.

Some Tips On How To Deal With High Blood Pressure

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: General Health
Dated: 28 Jan 2009
Comments: 0

High blood pressure is really a common condition, one that can be manageable as long as you are educated and aware of what is involved here and what steps need to be taken in terms of treatment. First thing is first however, and that is to find out more about high blood pressure and what this condition is all about.

What it is

When blood pushes against the artery wall harder than normal, this is when high blood pressure develops. This condition can range from being mild where it would not be necessarily causing any problems to being so severe that it is life threatening. About one in three adults is suffering from high blood pressure right now, and more are getting diagnosed with it all the time.

How To Deal With It

Before you even get diagnosed with high blood pressure or get put on a high blood pressure diet, it is very important that you keep an eye on your blood pressure numbers. You should start off treating your blood pressure problem by making some lifestyle changes, including to your diet and exercise regime.

You need to be eating all the right foods, including leafy green vegetables and ripe fruits. You also want to be eating enough whole grain breads and cereals, and drinking enough water to keep yourself well hydrated. Six to eight glasses a day is usually enough, but if you are exercising more than normal or you find that you are feeling extra thirsty, drink even more.

It will also be important that you are aware of the possible factors that could be contributing to your blood pressure problem. If you can find out the root cause of your problem, you may be able to deal with it with at the main source and get rid of the problem.

There are various different factors that could be causing your blood pressure to be high, but most likely it will be age, diet, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, obesity, stress, or sleep apnea, just to name a few. You will want to get your doctor to test you for any of these things and also do a general physical on you, just to make sure that you are in good health.

You can deal with high blood pressure and you do not have to let it control your life, as long as you take the necessary steps in terms of treatment and always keep yourself as healthy as possible.

For more information please visit my Dangerous High Blood Pressure Website.