Sleep Apnea Treatments – The Secrets of Sleep

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Categorized Under: Cures For Sleep Apnea
Dated: 18 Nov 2009
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We’ve all have had to deal with sleepless nights and can appreciate the current the next day feels terrible, but not purchasing enough sleep may in effect be worse for you as opposed to you realize. Recent polls have revealed that the number of hours we sleep may actually suffer an influence on our risk of obesity, and apparently, the less shut eye we get, the a larger amount of we are at risk!

There’s several reasons for this Firstly is the strong link between obesity and sleep apnea. It’s a known fact that obesity is a major factor in sleep apnea, and is often listed as one of the main causes. As it seems however, this may be a two way street. Once a person becomes a victim of sleep apnea, without very strict dietary control, even more pounds pile on.

Sleep apnea causes sleep deprivation, and, of course, the more sleep deprived a person becomes, the less active he or she is. Less exercise causes weight gain, but is that the only reason we gain weight? Secondly, there is also a link between sleep and hormones, in particular those hormones that control our eating behaviors, ghrelin, which causes us to get hungry, and plays a role in the regulation of weight, and leptin which causes us to feel full.

When you don’t get enough sleep it’s not just tiredness that kicks in, ghrelin increases as well, while the level of leptin in the body decreases, so you feel hungry, and find it hard to fill yourself up. The worse part is that when your tired or sleep deprived your also more likely to choose convenient and often unhealthy snack foods that are easy to prepare and filled with unnecessary calories.

So how much sleep is enough? For most people, between seven and nine hours is a good guide, although some may need more, and occasionally some people need less. The best way to tell how much sleep is enough for you personally is to take a holiday or allow yourself a few days off to sleep for as long as you want, keeping track of what time you fall asleep and wake again.

After a couple of days your body clock will stabilize, and you will find yourself sleep for around the same amount of hours each day. Then once you know you can set yourself a good routine, making sure that you go to bed at around the same time to make it easier for your body to adjust.

If you find it hard to sleep a good tip is to turn off the TV, computer or whatever your doing at least fifteen minutes before bed, and let yourself relax, How many more reasons do we need before we realize the importance of sleep in our lives. And yet loss of sleep could also lead to a loss of physical and mental health, to poor memory, poor coordination, and now, to weight gain and obesity. Sleep tight for a healthier and slimmer population. Download your Sleep Apnea Treatments eBook now!

Tracheostomy Surgery For Sleep Apnea Sufferers

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea
Dated: 13 Nov 2009
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A tracheostomy is a type of surgery used in the treatment of sleep apnea. It is a serious treatment, used as a last resort for people who either haven’t had success with any other types of treatment or whose sleep apnea is severe enough to be life-threatening.
This surgery has a high success rate but it can have some serious side effects. It involves an incision being cut in the throat, through the windpipe, roughly the size of a quarter. A tube is inserted into this incision to allow easier airflow in and out of the lungs. It can lead to other health problems, both medical and psychological.
The tube that is inserted allows the air to flow freely, eliminating the sleep apnea. During the day, a valve lets the patient shut the tube to allow them to breathe and speak naturally. The valve is opened at night while asleep to allow the air to flow.
Recovery from a tracheostomy can vary – some people will take longer than others.
There are multiple risks associated with this type of surgery. Scar tissue can form where the incision is made which can lead to changes in the appearance of the person’s neck.
Infections can sometimes develop where the incision is made, leading to swelling, redness and fluid drainage. Bleeding is also often a complication.
Some patients who have undergone this surgical procedure have difficulties with speech. Some have problems immediately after the surgery but show improvement with time while others have a permanent change in their speech.
A tracheostomy can also increase the chances of a lung infection.
Psychological and emotional problems can also be an issue for some patients who undergo the surgery. Self-consciousness can be an issue in some cases due to the appearance of the neck when the tube has been inserted.
After undergoing a tracheostomy, proper hygiene is very important. Keeping the neck clean and free of debris is paramount.

Alternative Therapies That Can Help With Sleep Apnea

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Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea
Dated: 13 Nov 2009
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It’s becoming more and more common for people suffering from many medical conditions to turn to alternative therapies for treatment. Before trying these therapies, it’s always best to seek the advice of a health care professional, but alternative therapies can often complement or even replace traditional treatments.
It is often thought that structural problems that cause restricted airflow are the underlying cause of sleep apnea. While this is true, it’s not always a physical problem requiring corrective surgery. In some cases it can be as simple as losing weight.
By losing weight, it helps to keep the airways open, making breathing easier. Even a small amount of weight loss can make a difference in some people – as little as 10 to 15 pounds.
Homeopathic practitioners have a theory that sleep apnea is due to a lack of energy. Thus, diet is an important factor for people suffering with apnea. Reducing the amount of sugar can help, as can a reduction in foods that cause an allergic reaction.
Herbal medications are often recommended for dealing with sleep apnea. There are two common ones – lachesis and homeopathic opium. Lachesis is considered to be the best for people who are extroverted & charismatic, with a tendency to anger easily.
Another alternative therapy for sleep apnea is flower remedy or essence therapy. This uses a flower called Vervain, which helps to calm and relax people. These alternative remedies are usually available at health food stores as well as many websites.
It has been shown that sleep apnea is sometimes cause by too little serotonin in the body. The nerves that control our breathing need a certain amount, and without enough it can interrupt breathing.
It is thought that by using a serotonin precursor such as 5-HTP, it can help to minimize the symptoms of sleep apnea. It has helped many patients get a more restful night’s sleep, with fewer breaks from waking up in the middle of the night.
As with any treatments, you should always consult with your doctor before trying anything to be sure there will be no negative effects.

Central Sleep Apnea And Obstructive Sleep Apnea Compared

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea
Dated: 13 Nov 2009
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There are two different types of sleep apnea – obstructive (OSA) and central (CSA). There is also a third type known as mixed sleep apnea which is a combination of the other two.
OSA occurs when something blocks a person’s airway and doesn’t allow them to get the necessary amount of air while sleeping. This can be caused by a number of things. Obesity is probably the most common reason.
Overweight people have fatty tissue deposits in the neck and throat area which can cause the throat to be blocked when lying down. This restricts the airway and the airflow through it.
Other common causes of OSA include enlarged adenoids or tonsils, allergies, nasal deformities and sleeping in a poor position. Snoring is often a symptom of sleep apea as the snoring is caused by the body struggling to get the necessary amount of oxygen.
Central sleep apnea has similar symptoms but the causes are different. CSA is actually quite rare – much more so than OSA. People suffering from CSA have a problem with the timing in their brain. It regulates the rest of the body, including breathing. This timing does not “fire” properly in CSA patients, causing a lack of oxygen while sleeping.
In both types of sleep apnea, the sufferer wakes up a number of times over the course of a night, often gasping or choking for air. These interruptions in sleep can happen up to 100 times a night, causing a lack of quality rest.
This can lead to headaches and sore throats the next day from a lack of oxygen and the body’s fighting to get more. There are many other problems that result, such as drowsiness, irritability and lack of concentration.
Sleep apnea sufferers can be affected in the workplace, in their personal relationship and other areas where the emotional and physical drain can cause problems.
High blood pressure is another common result of sleep apnea and if it is not treated it can ultimately lead to a stroke or heart disease. Anyone who is showing signs of these symptoms should consult with their doctor for further advice, and more thorough tests if the doctor deems it necessary.

How To Deal With A Sleep Apnea Problem

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea
Dated: 13 Nov 2009
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Sleep apnea is quite common – it’s believed to affect as many adults as diabetes does. As such, there are many people who are forced to deal with it. The first step is to get a proper diagnosis.
If sleep apnea is suspected, your doctor can send you for a test known as a polysomnogram (PSG) which records various things while you sleep. It can help determine what form of sleep apnea you are suffering from, how severe a case it is, and what may be causing it.
There are a number of treatments that may be tried in order to find the best one for your particular situation. Different treatments will work for different people, often depending on their specific symptoms and how severe they are.
Treatment for sleep apnea can reduce and in many cases completely get rid of snoring which is one of the most common symptoms. Improving the snoring problem will help to decrease the number of apneic events over the course of a night, giving you a more restful sleep.
Treating sleep apnea will also have a positive effect during the day. Fatigue, drowsiness, lack of concentration, poor memory and irritability are all side effect of sleep apnea, and they will improve with the proper treatment.
Part of learning to deal with a sleep apnea problem is to make the necessary lifestyle changes to help improve it. This may include quitting smoking, losing weight, drinking less alcohol – especially later in the evening – and avoiding sleeping pills or sedatives to help you sleep.
In moderate to severe cases of sleep apnea, it may be necessary to wear a nose mask at night. This mask is part of a machine called a CPAP – continuous positive airway pressure – which helps to keep the throat open and improves the airflow when breathing.
In the worst cases of sleep apnea a mask may again be necessary, as part of a Bi-PAP machine (Bi-level positive airway pressure). This regulates airflow both into and out of the nose, at different levels of pressure.

What Are Your Chances Of Developing Sleep Apnea?

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea
Dated: 13 Nov 2009
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A person’s chances of developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can depend on a number of factors, some of which are beyond their control. When these are combined with other potential causes such as being overweight, drinking or smoking it can greatly increase the risk.
One of the factors that is somewhat beyond our control is age. Sleep apnea is more common is people over the age of 30, with the highest percentages in males over 40 years old.
It is more commonly found among men than women. It is thought that between 12 and 20 million Americans are affected by sleep apnea, ranging from mild to severe. Breaking that down by gender, roughly 24% of American men suffer from sleep apnea compared to only 9% of women.
Post-menopausal women are more likely to be affected by it and the percentages between men and women become much closer after women have gone through menopause.
There have been many studies done to examine the difference between male and female sufferers. Some of these studies show that men are 2 to 3 times more likely to suffer from sleep apnea, while other studies have shown them 5 to 6 times more likely to deal with it than women.
Genetics does play a part in sleep apnea but it is not really known how large a part. If you have a family history of sleep apnea – in either men or women – it is more likely that you will develop the disorder at some point in your life.
Race is another factor that appears to play a role. African Americans as well as Hispanics and Pacific Islanders are more likely to be afflicted than Caucasians. They are still affected by it but in lower percentages.
Any type of medical condition that affects your breathing can ultimately contribute to sleep apnea. Health conditions such as Marfan’s syndrome or Down syndrome that can lead to abnormalities in the face and head – known as craniofacial problems – lead to a much greater chance of sleep apnea.

4 Common Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea
Dated: 13 Nov 2009
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Snoring is often considered a comical problem but a serious snoring problem can be a sign of a more serious condition. A snoring problem can worsen and become a case of sleep apnea which is a serious condition that has a number of bad effects on one’s health.
Anyone who snores regularly should check with their doctor to find out if it is a symptom of sleep apnea. Apnea is treatable, but if it’s left unchecked it can cause serious health problems.
If you think you might be suffering from sleep apnea, there are several questions you should ask. Do you snore regularly? If so, you are more likely dealing with sleep apnea than if you only snore occasionally.
Does your snoring wake your partner at night? If so, it’s a sign that the snoring is quite loud which again can be a symptom of sleep apnea.
Do you wake up choking and gasping for air in the middle of the night? This is one of the main indicators of sleep apnea, because apnea is caused by a blockage of airflow to the extent that you stop breathing for a period of 10 seconds or longer. You may not realize this is happening yourself, either – it is often noticed first by your partner.
Do you wake up in the morning with a headache or sore throat? This is another symptom of sleep apnea – headaches can be caused by a lack of oxygen due to the stoppages in breathing in the night and a sore throat is often caused by serious snoring.
If these symptoms sound familiar, you should check with your doctor to get their professional advice. If they determine that sleep apnea is in fact a possibility, they will usually send you for a polysomnography test.
This is an overnight sleep study where your sleep patterns are monitored so a complete diagnosis can be made. Things such as your heart rate, eye movements and breathing patterns will be monitored for irregularities.
Sleep apnea can lead to more serious problems such as an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, so it’s important that it is diagnosed as early as possible.

Understanding Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea
Dated: 13 Nov 2009
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Sleep apnea is a very serious sleep disorder affecting over 18 million American sleepers. It is a condition in which a person’s breathing is continuously interrupted during sleep. The cessation of breathing can last from 10 seconds to as long as 60 seconds and occur more than a few times a night. If you find yourself unable to breathe properly at night and wake up gasping for breath, it is likely that you are suffering from sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea deprives the body of sleep and also of oxygen. If left untreated it will get worse. High blood pressure can develop as can other types of cardiovascular disease. Sleep apnea can become so severe that it could endanger your life.

There are some common symptoms of sleep apnea that you have to take note. The most obvious symptom is a constant feeling of sleepiness throughout the day and unable to concentrate on their work. Some serious suffers may even fall asleep while talking with someone. The main reason for this is due to the continuous interrupted sleep throughout the night.

The other sleep apnea symptoms include sweating profusely during sleep, gasping or choking, unusually loud snoring and waking suddenly frequently to catch breath.

Other than that, some side-effects of sleep apnea can also affect your daily lifestyle. Due to the slight

increase in circulating acid in your body as your digestive system is not rested through the night, some sleep apnea sufferers might get heatburn in the morning. As a result of lack of concentration, you might also lose interest in many things, including sex drive. There is also a possibility of getting high blood pressure.

If you find yourself having the sleep apnea symptoms listed above, it is very likely that you are suffering from sleep apnea. Never take it lightly as it could be life threatening. Get it treated immediately.

Sleep Apnea. Latest Research

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea
Dated: 13 Nov 2009
Comments: 0

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea means that you often stop breathing for 10 seconds or longer during sleep. The problem can be mild to severe, based on the number of times each hour that you stop breathing or how often your lungs don’t get enough air. This may happen from 5 to 50 times an hour.

This topic focuses on obstructive sleep apnea, which is the most common type.

A less common type of apnea, called central sleep apnea, can occur in people who have had a stroke, have heart failure, or have a brain tumor or infection. Even though this topic isn’t about central sleep apnea, some of the treatments discussed here may also help treat it. Talk with your doctor to find out more about central sleep apnea.

What are the symptoms?

The main sleep apnea symptoms that you may notice are:

Your bed partner may notice that while you sleep:

Children who have sleep apnea:

But children may not seem very sleepy during the day (a key symptom in adults). The only symptom of sleep apnea in some children may be that they do not grow as quickly as most children their age.

Should you worry about sleep apnea?

If you have sleep apnea, you may not be sleeping as well as you could. And you may be more likely to end up with serious problems such as:

Do You Have Sleep Apnea?

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea
Dated: 13 Nov 2009
Comments: 0

There are many problems that can be the result of having sleep apnea. There are many people that have to deal with the fact that they are going to have a hard time dealing with the day ahead of them. They may feel tired and restless because they did not get enough sleep the night before. However, there are other problems that can happen because of lack of sleep.

There are health problems that many people will face because they are having difficulty sleeping. When a person is suffering from sleep apnea, they are going to have pauses in their breathing. During these pauses in breathing, the oxygen level in the blood drops. The brain will react to the drop in oxygen by waking up the person for long enough to resume breathing again.

For some, snoring is often the result of having sleep apnea. The cycle of snoring and not breathing will mean that you do not get enough of the quality sleep that is so necessary for a person to function properly. If a person does not get the quality sleep that they need each night, it will in turn take a toll on their body and their performance during the next day.

Sleep apnea is when you stop breathing while you are sleeping. This causes many things, stress on your heart, brain and on your lungs, not to mention your arms and legs, if they are not getting the oxygen needed. All of us know someone who snores, or perhaps you are the one that snores. If you are snoring all the time, heavily and you wake up feeling tired, and you have a headache, it is quite possible that you are suffering with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea prevents you from getting the rest you need when you are sleeping, because your body is actually fighting for air when you are sleeping.

If you know someone who snores, or you have heard the noises that happen when sleeping, that give the idea that a person is not breathing while they are sleeping, you owe it to them to tell them about it. The gurgling noises, or snorts that are accompanied by snoring are signs that the person is not breathing properly while sleeping, and this can lead to long-term problems. Another term for this type of snoring, for the inability to breath while sleeping is obstructive sleep apnea. A visit with your family doctor can help determine if the tonsils are inflamed or if the adenoids are too large to permit proper breathing.

Snoring occurs when you are breathing, during sleep, no matter which way you are laying in the bed or on the couch. Sometimes turning you over is going to ease up on the snoring, but the snoring most often times will occur again and again. If you are keeping other people awake with your snoring this is a sign that you are snoring too loud, and too much, and that you could be suffering from sleep apnea.

If you are known to snore a little bit, or that you snore just sometimes, you have a partial blockage. The person who snores all the time has obstructive snoring, and these are two different situations. The person who snores just sometimes, can find relief with some over the counter type of medications, or by sleeping in a specific manner .The person who has obstructive sleep apnea or that is snoring all the time, can find relief from surgery.

A sleep study is going to show what type of snoring you have, or that if you are suffering from sleep apnea. There are occasions when someone will snore, but there is not actual loss of breath, which is associated with sleep apnea. A sleep study will provide more information about how long you are not breathing, how long it is between snores or other noises. A sleep study is going to show if the heart is under stress and if oxygen is reaching the blood and the extremities of the body.