Alternative Sleep Disorder Treatments

If you have a sleep disorder, it can disrupt your everyday life. Sleep deprivation can make you tired and sleepy, irritable and emotional. If you try to drive or operate heavy machinery, the lack of sleep may cause a loss of concentration, causing danger to you and those around you.

There are natural, alternative treatments to lessen the effect of sleep disorders. Diet and nutrition may help to alleviate sleep disorders, or perhaps herbs and herbal supplements may do the trick. Exercise, relaxation, and meditation may also help. Or a combination of techniques may work to alleviate the symptoms of a sleep disorder.

A good, healthy diet is essential not only for health, but for a good, restful sleep as well. It is just as important to avoid certain foods as it is to include others. To keep your body well balanced, and your energy level stable, you need drink plenty of water, and eat a wide variety of food. It will help to avoid (as much as possible) food that is grown, treated, or processed with chemicals. I know that isn't always easy, but it will help. Limiting the amount of sugar and caffeine that you consume will help your overall condition. Foods that increase your serotonin levels can help relieve some symptoms of sleep disorders. Serotonin is a natural sedative, which will help you sleep. It is made in the body from tryptophan, which can be found in chicken, turkey, cheese, nuts, avacados, bananas, and other sources. Just keep your pre-bedtime snacking light, and don't eat too much.

Herbs and natural supplements may help to treat your sleep disorder. Do some research before taking any supplements, and know how different supplements act on the body, and your sleep disorder. Iron and folic acid supplements may help with restless leg syndrome. Other herbs are used for other sleep disorders. Some herbs, may help you to relax and fall asleep naturally. Chamomile tea may be relaxing, and help you to fall asleep.

Exercise and relaxation techniques can reduce stress and tension. If done before going to bed, these techniques can help to lessen the symptoms of sleep problems. Breathing exercises, stretching, muscle relaxation, and yoga, can help easy physical tension, and calm the mind, preparing the body for sleep. Meditation and visualization are other techniques that may be used to relax the body and mind before bedtime. If you take the time to relax, and calm your mind before bedtime, you may find that you fall asleep much easier.

Hydrotherapy and aromatherapy can help to relieve stress as well. Relaxing in a hot bathtub, with bath salts or scented bath oils can help to soothe the body and the mind.

Any or all of these alternative therapies can be used to help you to relax, and fall asleep easier at night. If you do have a sleep disorder, however, you should always go to your physician, and follow his advice. Some of these techniques can be used in addition to any medication or treatment that your doctor prescribes.

Tim Sousa

Visit Sleep Apnea 411 for more information on sleep apnea and sleep disorders.

Common Types Of Sleep Disorder

Did you ever experience a long tiring day at school or work? Your body may have been aching with pain and you laid down for a relaxing sleep. What a wonderful feeling that was! Most people enjoy the luxury of sleep without realizing that it isn’t always possible for many people to achieve this. Sleep helps us in more ways than we can imagine but it sometimes eludes people who don’t even know what they were missing.

Sometimes we take for granted the great benefits that are afforded to us from a restful nights sleep and we begin to abuse the privilege by staying up too late or “burning the midnight oil” a bit too much. The more we use our body, the more that we must load up on sleep. If we don’t catch up, our body starts to get confused and this can eventually lead to a sleep disorder. First we find ourselves irritable and slow. Then we lose our ability to fully relax and we are in for a much bigger problem down the road.

Common sleeping disorders often begin unnoticed. We might just be having signs of some minor problems but we don’t think too much of it. Then we may begin to have difficulty falling or staying asleep but think this is only a “passing phase”. Little do we know, we are already experiencing, what doctors would diagnose as insomnia, a sleep disorder that results to sleepiness at other times of the day. Insomnia is the most well-known sleep disorder but it is still undiagnosed in thousands of people. It causes slow reactions in our nervous system and poor mental concentration. These factors might just lead to accidents and lesser productivity throughout the day. Stress is also considered one of the major reasons why one out of three adults experiences some degree of insomnia at one time or another.

A less common but quite alarming case of insomnia is the chronic insomnia. This is known as a severe case of insomnia which is caused by too much stress and by our body’s chemistry and medical condition. This second case of insomnia is less common than the first but still quite common overall. It also tends to go undiagnosed in many people.

Sleepy people who experience a gradual loss of muscle tone (called cataplexy) may be experiencing another type of sleep disorder known as Narcolepsy. This is a sleep related disease that affects the NREM or “Non Rapid Eye Movement” sleep. Narcoleptic patients experience sudden muscle weakening which sometimes causes them to fall. They may fall into a NREM sleep phase almost instantly and this can be extremely dangerous. A simple act of happiness or laughter may trigger what is called a cataplectic attack where the person just falls asleep and tips over! A related disease called sleep paralysis is also alarming and can occur in narcoleptics where they lose control of their muscles especially when lying down before they go to bed.

Children commonly experience a sleep disorder familiarly known as “bedwetting” which is actually called Nocturnal Enursis. This ordinarily happens during NREM sleep as does talking in your sleep and sleep walking. These disorders are also common amongst children.

Sleep Apnea is a breathing disorder which is not understood by many people and which is therefore undiagnosed in many people. It is still quite common however and is caused by the muscle and tongue relaxation on the soft palate at the throat’s base. This is the part of the throat which allows an individuals air passage to collapse especially those with narrow airways. It creates a sleeping disorder somewhat similar to snoring but it is actually a lot more serious than just snoring. Sleep apnea causes a person to lose the much needed REM phase of their sleep and thereby depletes their energy and dangerously affects their brain chemistry. A person with sleep apnea is more prone to accidents and poor health as well as poor performance at work or school.

Sleeping disorders can be avoided if we raise our awareness about them and take preventive measures to stop them. We must make sleeping a daily habit and try to get a better night’s sleep all the time. If we make sure and do this, we will surely reap the benefits soon!

Gary M. Miller

Over 70 Million people in the USA suffer from some kind of Sleep Disorder! There are actually hundreds of ways to improve your sleep but the first thing that is needed is to raise more awareness! If you want to sleep better tonight , you can visit this information Sleep Aid Web Site that is packed with FREE information: http://www.Sleep-Aid-Solutions.com

Sleep Disorder - The Night Phantom

Sleep apnea is a condition when you stop breathing for a short interval repeatedly during sleep. Apnea means "Without Breath" in Greek; the word aptly describes the condition of patients suffering from sleep apnea. You may have breathing difficulty while sleeping, which may break your sleep also. Sleep apnea may cause high blood pressure, chances of stroke, impotence etc. This may seem a simple snoring disease, but it can be extremely harmful and should never be neglected.

Symptoms of sleep apnea:

These are some of the common symptoms of sleep apnea, though they may vary from person to person:

• Tendency to sleep more during the day.

  
  

• Interrupted snoring with periods of improper breathing.

  
  

• A small or recessed jaw.

  
  

• Obesity.

  
  

• A very tired feeling in the morning.

  
  

• Gasping or snoring respirations in the night.

  
  

• Unexplained right side heart or respiratory failure.

  
  

• Memory or concentration problems.

  
  

• Excessive snoring at night.

  
  

Types of apnea:

There are basically three types of apnea:

Obstructive sleep apnea: This is the most common, with 9 out of 10 cases of apnea coming under this category. It is often incorrectly called Pickwick Syndrome. Here, repetitive episodes of upper airway obstruction occur during sleep, which is generally associated with a reduction in blood oxygen saturation. The obstruction may be excess tissue in the airway, large tonsils, or a large tongue. Another site of obstruction can be the nasal passages.

Central sleep apnea: This is not very common. This is related to the function of the central nervous system. The muscles that you use to breathe don't get a clear signal from the brain, thus causing this problem. Either the brain doesn't send the signal, or the signal gets interrupted.

Mixed apnea: This is a combination of central and obstructive apnea. The most affected people are infants or young children, who have abnormal control of breathing. Mixed apnea may occur when a child is awake or asleep.

Snoring is another symptom of sleep apnea. It is the loud, rough rattling noise that you make while sleeping, caused when the soft palate and uvula vibrates. Snoring is believed to occur in anywhere from 30% of women to over 40% of men. When snoring is interrupted by frequent episodes of totally obstructed breathing, it is known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Treatments:

Sleep apnea can be cured by the following methods:

• Losing weight.

  
  

• Cutting down on alcohol.

  
  

• Using Nasal Dilator strips.

  
  

• Using dental appliances to prevent tongue from falling back.

  
  

• Surgery - Tracheostomy, Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, Mandibular Myotomy, Laser Assisted Uvuloplasty, Laup Radio Frequency (RF) Procedure or Somnoplasty.

  
  

• Palatoplasty - stiffening of the palate using surgery or injection.

  
  

• Using special pillows or devices to keep the airway open during sleep.

  
  

• Using a CPAP mask.

  
  

• Adjust your sleeping position, which might alleviate snoring.

  
  

Stefan Rockhaus

Stefan Rockhaus writes health related articles. To read more about sleep apnea and snoring visit http://www.stop-snoring-guide.info and http://www.snoring-help-online.info

Sleep Apnea: A Sleeping Disorder

In the middle of every night, do you suddenly wake up choking and gasping for air? It can not be due to a nightmare every night. You definitely need to look into the matter as you might be suffering from a sleep disorder known as Sleep Apnea.

In the night, does your snoring often make your partner wake up? And in the mornings, are headaches and a dry mouth regular occurrences? As soon as you experience these symptoms, its time to see a doctor, you may be suffering from Sleep Apnea!

Sleep Apnea is a type of sleeping disorder. The word “apnea” is a Greek word, it’s meaning, “want of breath”. Sleep Apnea is a disorder that causes disruption of breathing during sleep. Your breathing either becomes slow or stops completely during sleep. The frequency of disruption can range up to 20 times in an hour. The duration of disruption can last up to 20 seconds, bringing you close to death.

Sleep Apnea devastates your sleeping routine. It also affects your body. There are three categories of sleep apnea. All three are equally lethal.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a widely prevalent type of sleep apnea. It’s caused when your airway gets obstructed due to relaxation of the muscles of the soft palate around the base of tongue. When the airway gets obstructed, it lowers the level of oxygen in the blood and leads to a condition known as hypoxia. It also elevates the blood pressure and increases stress on your heart. These conditions prevent the patient from entering into sound sleep. This makes a person suffer from lack of quality sleep. A person suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea snores in the night and wakes up choking several times and tries desperately to sleep again.

Central Sleep Apnea

Central Sleep Apnea is not common. It is marked by a brain signal flaw. In Central Sleep Apnea, the brain’s signals instructing the body to breathe get flawed. As a result of this delayed signal to breathe, throat breathing, abdominal breathing and oral breathing cease simultaneously. Though the duration of interruption lasts a few seconds, it lowers the oxygen supply to blood and tissues significantly. A person suffering from central sleep apnea experiences high blood pressure, irregular heart beat and even heart stroke.

Mixed Sleep Apnea

Mixed Sleep Apnea is a condition characterized by a person experiencing the combination of symptoms of the two Sleep Apnea conditions— Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Central Sleep Apnea.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is highly prevalent and common in people suffering from Sleep Apnea disorder. Let’s look deep into the symptoms, causes and treatments required for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Causes

There can be several causes that lead to the obstruction of your airway passage during sleep, leading to Obstructive Sleep Apnea. One of the major reasons is that your throat muscles and tongue relax and shrink excessively than normal.

If you are overweight, the soft tissue in your throat can become stiff and enlarged and causes obstruction in the airway passage. The other reasons could be increased size of your adenoids and tonsils, which further contribute in the disruption of flow of air.

Symptoms

The common symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea are choking and gasping for air several times in the night. Snoring loudly is also among a number of symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. If you suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea, you would experience sleepiness during the daytime as well. You would not be able to concentrate and would suffer from dry throat and headache in the mornings. Among other symptoms are rapid weight gain, lethargy, high blood pressure, and lack of concentration and even depression.

Treatments

There are many treatments available for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The common ones are losing weight, avoiding alcohol consumption during the evening and sleeping on your side. Medical treatments include Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and Oxygen Administration. Surgeries are also performed and tracheostomy is a surgery used in treatment of severe Sleep Apnea conditions.

If you feel you are displaying symptoms of sleep apnea you should visit your doctor immediately for formal diagnosis.

Olga Sen

Olga Sen writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information on Sleep Disorders please visit http://www.sleeping-disorders-guide.com/sleepdisorders/ and for additional Sleep Disorders articles please visit the following article page http://www.sleeping-disorders-guide.com/sleepdisorders-articles/

Sleep Apnea - The Silent Sleep Disorder

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.

Niall Roche

Having a sleeping disordersleep apnea right now.

Sleep Apnea - Dealing With This Common Sleep Disorder

One of the most well-known sleep disorders, sleep apnea is a fairly common condition. Marked by interruptions in breathing during sleep, sleep apnea causes the person suffering from this condition to wake up, or partially wake, several times during the night. Because of the frequency of these interruptions in breathing, a person with sleep apnea will have trouble getting a restful night’s sleep, causing them to feel the effects of sleep deprivation during their waking hours.

Two types of sleep apnea have been diagnosed: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea. OSA is caused by the soft palate becoming so relaxed that it actually blocks off the breathing passageway, while central sleep apnea is caused by the brain relaxing to the point that it does not remind the body to breathe. While both types can cause interruptions to breathing on their own, most people with sleep apnea actually have mixed apnea, which is a combination of both forms.

Sleep apnea is sometimes difficult to diagnose, simply because it only strikes while the person is asleep and won’t notice that it is happening. Because most people with sleep apnea awake only partially – not fully – so they do not actually notice that they have had their sleep cycle interrupted. Thus, if someone wants to determine if they have sleep apnea, they will have to look for the symptoms.

The most common symptom of sleep apnea is excessive sleepiness upon waking. Because the sleep cycle is being interrupted, the person is not refreshed during the night and will wake up feeling lethargic, fatigued, or even feel like they need to go back to bed for another round of sleep. Also, people with sleep apnea almost always snore; often very loudly. However, a person does not necessarily have to show these symptoms to have sleep apnea. In fact, a bed partner may be the only person to notice the interruptions in breathing during the night.

Additionally, people with sleep apnea are often overweight to obese, so treatment usually involves helping people to lose weight. Treatment can also include eliminating alcohol or other substances that help people relax, quitting smoking, using special pillows or other appliances that help keep the airways open, or even special apparatus that uses air pressure to keep the airways open. This last form of treatment, continuous pressure airway pressure (CPAP), uses a breathing mask to pressurize the airways and inflate them, almost like a balloon. Though this form of treatment is more than a little disconcerting at first, they quickly get used to the mask and find that they feel much more alert in the morning.

Sleep apnea is very difficult for a person to self-diagnose but, once the problem is found, there are treatments available. But for people who are overweight and have large necks, smoke, use sedatives or muscle relaxers, or just drink too much alcohol, lifestyle changes would be the best place to start either keeping sleep apnea away or treating it before it becomes a major health concern. After all, not breathing is a problem whenever it happens. So by treating sleep apnea now, sufferers can keep performing the one act they need to perform every day and every night.

George Royal

Sleep HQ: your guide to sleep apnea and getting a good night's sleep.

Sleep Apnea Treatment - Popular Options For Sleep Apnea Treatment

If you're looking for a good sleep apnea treatment, I suggest that you do some research before deciding on anything. In many cases, surgery is the only viable option for permanent relief from sleep apnea. However, following surgery on the mouth or throat, the temporary swelling that occurs can be as bad, if not worse, than the sleep apnea itself. Postoperative swelling can have disastrous effects on the airway, making it difficult, if not impossible, to breathe. Because of this, patients who have had tonsillectomies, adenoidectomies or tongue reductions have to be monitored very carefully.

If having a piece of your throat or mouth removed isn't your sleep apnea treatment of choice, you may want to consider handing the problem with pharmaceuticals. While there are currently no drugs you can take to cure obstructive the sleep apnea, if the blockage is caused by enlarged tonsils or adenoids due to infectious mononucleosis there are prescriptions that can help you. For example, a regimen of anti inflammatory medicines such as prednisone and other glucocorticoid drugs can drastically reduce the lymphoid tissue. Immediately, you'll see a drastic reduction in snoring and sleep apnea. These effects will be short term, but since the enlargement is also temporary it will be the perfect solution. If not, perhaps neurostimulation will be the answer to your prayers.

Still, if you're looking for a more natural sleep apnea treatment there are some available. Avoiding alcohol and other medications that relax the central nervous system have been proven to make a difference in some cases. Other natural treatments include losing weight and kicking smoking habits to the curb. If you don't smoke, don't drink and aren't overweight, breathing exercises that are taught in Yoga classes may do the trick. These breathing exercises work to restore muscle function in the throat and mouth.

John Spencer

To discover the best snoring remedies, visit http://www.StopSnoringSystem.com/ today! FREE mini-course reveals natural sleep apnea treatment options!

Surgery For Sleep Apnea - What To Expect When Undergoing Surgery For Sleep Apnea

Surgery for sleep apnea can be a very scary thing to consider and you should be well aware of what it involves before making a commitment to go through with it. While the actual surgery itself is relatively easy for doctors to perform, there are many risks to be aware of after you leave the operating room. For example, a turbinectomy is a surgery that is frequently performed. This is where a surgeon will remove or reduce the size of a nasal turbinate, or straighten the nasal septum. This cuts down on the nasal obstruction or congestion and relieves airway pressure. Other common surgeries for sleep apnea include tonsilectomies and/or adeoidectomies, which increase the size of the airway, reducing the oxygen deprivation.

Regardless of the surgery for sleep apnea that you undergo, there can be problems with the drugs used during and after surgery. These drugs work to relieve the pain by depressing consciousness, effects that can stay with the body for hours, if not days, after the surgery has ended. Even in low doses, individuals recovering from surgery to overcome sleep apnea can die from the drugs in their system. Scarier still, it's not just the drugs that can cause life threatening irregularities in breathing. In fact, even if you have no drugs in your system at all, you may still be at risk.

This is because surgery patients for sleep apnea, as is the case with all surgeries, tend to experience swelling. This swelling of the throat, mouth and nasal passages can negate the surgery, even if only in the short term. Since this is the case, individuals recovering from surgery for sleep apnea should be intensively monitored. There may not be anything more uncomfortable than recovering from a fairly major surgery without the aid of prescription pain killers, but doing so may be the only way to ensure breathing at night.

John Spencer

To discover the ultimate snore stopper, visit http://www.StopSnoringSystem.com/ today! FREE course reveals alternatives to having surgery for sleep apnea!

Sleep Apnea Treatments - Effective Treatments For Anyone Suffering From Sleep Apnea

There are many different sleep apnea treatments to choose from if you find yourself suffering with the sleeping disorder. However, depending on your age, some may be more effective and easier than others. For example, when children are suffering from sleep apnea, quite frequently the treatment of choice is a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy surgery. These surgeries don't just treat the sleep apnea, they cure it. Before surgery is decided upon, many times the doctor will try prescribing a course of anti-inflammatory steroids (like prednisone or a different kind of glucocorticoid drug). These drugs will provide short term solutions to the short term problem of tonsillar and adenoidal enlargement due to acute infectious mononucleosis.

While many of the words describing sleep apnea treatments are long and hard to pronounce, some are easier to say and understand. Some doctors, for instance, believe that sleep apnea is a neurological condition, caused by the nerves that control the soft palate and tongue failing to stimulate those muscles. These doctors are currently working on neurostimulation trials, checking to see if the use of pacemakers or other similar devices can put a quick and easy end to the sleep apnea. So far, the early trials look promising.

Surgery is also one of the more common sleep apnea treatments available for patients today. That said, in some cases the use of sedatives and analgesics in patients can cause life threatening breathing irregularities, even when used in low doses. As a result, post op use of these drugs should be minimized, if not avoided altogether. Also, sometimes the swelling that occurs after the surgery is so bad that it causes more interference with normal breathing. Again, in extreme cases death can be the end result. The best way to avoid these complications is to be intensively monitored while you sleep.

John Spencer

To discover the best snoring remedies, visit http://www.StopSnoringSystem.com/ today! FREE mini-course reveals most effective sleep apnea treatments!

Sleep Apnea Symtoms - A Complete Overview Of Sleep Apnea Symtoms

The crazy thing about sleep apnea is that many of the sleep apnea symtoms can be misconstrued to be something that they aren't. For example, one of the classic symtoms of sleep apnea is depression. However, when you're feeling depressed you generally go to a therapist, not your primary care physician. As a result, the therapist will work with you to treat your depression, but no matter what he or she does, the root cause of it will be untouched. As a result, the sleep apnea will continue and you'll continue to experience the depression. Moreover, as the apnea progresses you'll start to feel more and more depressed, with no real hope of feeling better until you find someone who can make the connection to the sleeping disorder.

Unfortunately, depression is only one of the many sleep apnea symtoms that confuse doctors. Anxiety, irritability and other behavior changes all are signs of sleep apnea. However, when a psychiatrist is presented with these symtoms, he or she may reasonably think that the patient is bipolar or schizophrenic. Again, the treatment that will be given in these cases will have nothing to do with solving the actual problem. That said, how does one know whether or not they're really depressed or bipolar, as opposed to when they're just experiencing the side effects of sleep apnea?

The answer to this question isn't an easy one. The best way to go about answering it, however, is to look for these symtoms to be coupled with other sleep apnea symtoms. Signs to be aware of include decreased sex drive, getting up frequently in the middle of the night to urinate, headaches, loud snoring and esophageal reflux. Also, if you're sweating heavily at night it may not have anything to do with the temperature of your room. Heavy sweating is yet another symtom of sleep apnea.

John Spencer

To uncover the best remedies for snoring, visit http://www.StopSnoringSystem.com/ today! FREE sleep apnea symtoms mini-course!

Sleep Apnea Dangers - Why Sleep Apnea Is So Dangerous

There are many sleep apnea dangers that most people don't know exist. While some people may think of it as common snoring, sleep apnea is something that needs to be taken very seriously. In fact, if left untreated, the sleeping disorder can cause death via congestive heart failure. Sleep apnea, (apnea literally meaning without breath) is something that affects men, women, adults and children. It is characterized by a minimum of 10 second intervals between breaths, which result in either a neurological arousal or a blood oxygen desaturation of at least three or four percent. No group of people is immune from the disastrous consequences of the disorder, which makes it extremely scary. Since it's something at occurs when you sleep, many people who sleep alone don't know that they suffer from it until it's too late.

Some of the sleep apnea dangers that can act as symptoms include loud snoring (with periods of breathlessness immediately followed by gasps for air), morning headaches and esophageal reflux. Because of the lack of sleep that many sleep apnea patients suffer from, there are often side effects that can be just as troubling as the disorder itself. For example, many people who have sleep apnea also experience depression, irritability and anxiety. These three things can combine to really mess with a persons head. Imagine feeling depressed and angry all of the time, not knowing that something like sleep apnea is causing your troubles. Many times the side effects can get treated with pharmaceutical drugs, but these do nothing to combat the apnea itself.

The sleep apnea dangers are literally too numerous to list. If you or a loved one are concerned about having the disorder, it is imperative that you see a doctor immediately to begin treatment. If you don't, the consequences can be severe.

John Spencer

To discover the ultimate snore stopper, visit http://www.StopSnoringSystem.com/ today! FREE newsletter on sleep apnea dangers.

Sleep Apnea Machine Can Cure Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a painful and arduous sleeping disorder that affects many adults. Not only does the sleeping disorder affect the amount of rejuvenating sleep a person receives, but it also affects their daytime activities and attitude. Many people who suffer from sleep apnea may not be aware of their sleeping disorder and will try to pursue medications and alternative healing to alleviate the daytime problems without realizing that they are not receiving adequate sleep. Luckily, for those who can recognize the symptoms and seek consultation from a doctor, there is a cure. These machines have been helping patients with sleep apnea for nearly three decades. With the proper maintenance and attention, a sleep apnea machine can help rid a person of sleep apnea for the rest of their lives.

Due to the lack of oxygen entering the brain during the sleep cycles, sleep apnea can cause severe headaches during the day. Additionally, many people who suffer from this sleeping disorder report irritability, persistent drowsiness, and a constant feeling of not getting a good night's sleep. While sleeping, patients and their spouses report loud snoring and obstructed breathing (which is a characteristic of sleep apnea). Sleep apnea can negatively affect a person's job performance, as well as their self esteem.

Sleep apnea can continue undiagnosed for long periods of time. In fact, it is usually the spouse of the person with sleep apnea that reports a sleeping problem with their mate. When the problem remains undiagnosed, problem sleepers pursue a variety of alternatives. Some may buy over the counter sleeping aides hoping it helps them achieve a deeper sleep, and others may seek prescription sleep medications to try and alleviate the nighttime arousal. Others may approach alternative healing by pursuing yoga or meditation classes.

Once diagnosed, a person with sleep apnea only needs a prescription for a sleep apnea machine to alleviate their problems. There are a few different types of sleep apnea machines that can help aid sleepers. Apart from the CPAP, there is an APAP. The APAP automatically tunes the pressurized air on a breath by breath basis. There is also the VPAP, which is for more extreme cases of sleep apnea. The VPAP helps with both the inhale and exhale functions during sleep. Sleep apnea machines also offer several optional pieces that can help make the process more comfortable for users. A humidifier moistens the air and can help alleviate the discomfort of dry compressed air. A ramp is another optional feature that temporarily lowers air pressure to help the sleeper fall asleep. Another option is the exhalation pressure relief, which adjusts the pressure during exhalation. Finally, flexible chin straps can be added to help keep the candidate from breathing through the mouth.

These sleep apnea machines are relatively easy to take care of, and are highly portable. The owner's manual can provide detailed information for how to properly care for the specific sleep apnea machine. In most cases, the required maintenance entails a regular cleaning of the hoses and masks, and regularly changing the filters. Additionally, the machine must be checked regularly for any worn out attachments or tears in the connections or fabrics. If the sleep apnea machine contains a humidifying devise, it is pertinent to keep the devise clean of mold and algae. Since continuous unobstructed use of the machine is imperative to successful treatment, the machine is designed to be highly portable. Newer models of machines are incredibly light and compact. The sleep apnea machines usually come with a carrying case and international power units for electric sockets.

These incredibly portable and low maintenance machines are the perfect solution for people with sleep apnea. After several nights with the sleep apnea machines' assistance, sleepers will feel rested and more energetic than they have felt in while.

Andy West

Andy West is a writer for CPAP-supply, which offers a wide variety of sleep apnea machine products.

Sleep Apnea Cures - Is There Really A Remedy For Sleep Apnea?

There really aren't any definite sleep apnea cures, but there are several different treatments for the dangerous sleeping disorder. For example, some people have to undergo surgery for it, but there are several problems that can occur with surgery, even though the surgery itself may be a relatively easy procedure for the surgeon. The swelling that occurs following surgery is especially dangerous for sleep apnea patients, as it can totally block off the airway and cause suffocation. Moreover, some of the drugs used for anesthesia can exasperate the problem while the surgery is underway. Scarier still, the drugs that many doctors prescribe to relieve post surgery pain and discomfort can depress the nervous system, making the apnea worse for a short period of time.

Some people never have to go under the knife. Some patients can find that sleep apnea cures are as easy as purchasing a special pillow that positions their head, back and neck in a way that opens the airway and puts an end to the apneas. Other people have to sleep attached to a CPAP machine, which delivers pressurized air through a mask. In cases where sleep apnea is caused by infectious mononucleosis, a regimen of anti-inflammatory drugs works just fine (although it's important to note that in these cases, the drugs are a temporary solution to a temporary problem).

Currently, there are lots of clinical trials that are searching for more sleep apnea cures. In particular, doctors are exploring the option of neurostimulation to relieve the problem. In these cases, a pacemaker like device is implanted, sending gentle shock waves to the brain that stimulates the muscles in the throat, ending the apneas. Still, some people are exploring more natural solutions, such as breathing techniques that are taught in yoga. Many people find these breathing exercises strengthen the muscles in the throat, effectively curing the problem.

John Spencer

To learn how to stop snoring quickly and easily, visit http://www.StopSnoringSystem.com/ today! FREE newsletter reveals natural sleep apnea cures!

Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea - What Are The Signs Of Sleep Apnea?

Because sleep apnea has the potential to be a life threatening condition, it's important to know the symptoms of sleep apnea in order to catch the problem before it's too late. Literally meaning without breath, apnea is when your snoring is interrupted by periods of breathlessness lasting 10 seconds or more. In many cases, this loss of breath is followed by an audible gasp for air. While some symptoms of sleep apnea are easily disguised as something else, such as morning headaches, forgetfulness or trouble concentrating, others are more specific to the disorder.

Esophageal reflux, getting up several times in the same night to urinate (nocturia), heavy sweating and decreased sex drive are all common symptoms of sleep apnea. If you experience one without any of the others, it isn't likely to be caused by the sleeping disorder. On the other hand, if you're experiencing several of these symptoms it may be time to make an appointment with your family doctor. When caught in time, sleep apnea is less likely to have fatal consequence. The most common cause of death related to sleep apnea is an increase in pulmonary pressures that are related to one side of your heart. If left untreated, it can result in congestive heart failure.

Even if you never have troubles with your heart, sleep apnea can still do a number on you. One of the other symptoms of sleep apnea is depression, irritability and changes in behavior. These three can combine to make a normally sane person act completely crazy and out of character. The symptoms just listed are particularly troubling, considering that many times people won't associate them with sleep apnea at all. The misdiagnoses and treatments that follow may mask the symptoms for awhile, but they will do nothing to treat the sleep apnea condition that is causing them all.

John Spencer

To discover the best remedy for snoring, visit http://www.StopSnoringSystem.com/ today! FREE mini-course on symptoms of sleep apnea!

Central Sleep Apnea And Obstructive Sleep Apnea Compared

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.

Rudy Watkins

Rudy Watkins explains how to identify sleep apnea symptoms on the Apnea Guide website. For more helpful information and to sign up for our free newsletter, visit http://www.apneaguide.com

Dental Treatments for Sleep Apnea

There are many different ways to treat sleep apnea ranging from medicines, facial masks, and dental treatments. But before you can treat it, you must understand what sleep apnea is. The simple definition of sleep apnea is the disruption of breathing while you are asleep. The disorder affects the sleep of thousands of people each night and can become a very serious problem if gone untreated; it can even become life threatening. Generally, sleep apnea goes virtually undiagnosed as 90% of those who actually have the disorder do not even know it simply because they do not remember not being able to breathe in their sleep.

There are many different symptoms associated with sleep apnea however the most frequent factor is the cessation of breathing during sleep. People suffering from sleep apnea also may choke or gasp during sleep to draw in breath, experience loud snoring, awake suddenly to restart breathing, sweat frequently through the night, experience headaches, sore throat, or dry mouth in the morning, and even may experience daytime sleepiness. It is important to know that snoring and sleep apnea are not one and the same. While snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea in some people, it is often not a sign of sleep apnea.

In many cases, the shape of a person’s head and neck may actually be a cause of sleep apnea. This happens because the airway is made smaller when a person lays down for sleep in a certain way. Other causes include but are not limited to large tonsils or adenoids, obesity, relaxation of the tongue and throat muscles, smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke, nasal congestion, and a family history. If a person suffers from immune system abnormalities, severe heartburn, acid reflux, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, acromegaly, vocal cord paralysis, post-polio syndrome, Marfan’s syndrome, Down syndrome, or amyloidosis, he or she may also develop sleep apnea.

Treatments for sleep apnea vary, but dentists actually play a large and important role in the treatment of sleep apnea. Dentists along with physicians, psychologists and respiratory therapists all work together to treat each sleep apnea patient. Each patient responds to different aspects of treatment a little differently than others, but some of the most common and affordable treatments include dental treatments. There are different dental appliances, lower jaw adjustment devices, and oral devices that can help treat sleep apnea and can effectively treat mild to moderate sleep apnea.

Many dental devices for treating sleep apnea are much like athletic mouth guards or appliances used for orthodontics and are made of acrylic, fitting inside the mouth. The two most common dental treatments for sleep apnea include the Tongue Retaining Device and the Mandibular Repositioning. These two devices help open your airway, and keep it open during sleep, by moving your lower jaw or tongue forward while you sleep. Often, the lower jaw and tongue move too far back thus blocking the flow of air during sleep.

While dental treatments and devices for sleep apnea can make a huge difference in treating mild to moderate cases, such treatment does have side effects. If you choose to get treated consult a dentist like sleep apnea dentist Dr. Thomas Hedge in Cincinnati.

Thomas Hedge

Thomas Hedge is interested in helping people. To learn how sleep apnea dentist, dental treatments for sleep apnea, sleep apnea Cincinnati can change your life visit www.dentalhealthcenter.com

Sleep Apnea: Chronic Sleeping Disorder

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by disruption in the breathing pattern while you are sleeping. It is a strange problem and most of the people are not even aware of it. In most cases, it is usually the sleeping partner who gets to know about the prevalence of this sleeping disorder. Victims of this complication face difficulty in taking proper breaths. It is a chronic problem which needs proper attention and if you leave it untreated, it can become a cause of worry and at times even life threatening. It is believed to cause physical as well as mental impairment.

Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Frequent choking episodes during night time
Morning headache
Waking up in the middle of night due to excessive sweating
Poor concentration
Loud snoring
Dry mouth
Excessive sleepiness during daytime
Low energy levels
Obesity
Mood swings

According to recent studies, women suffering from asthma are at a higher risk of developing the problem of sleep apnea. Snoring is one of the most common symptoms of it. Studies are indicative of the fact that about 22% of young women suffering from asthma are prone to snoring. It has been found that sleep apnea is more common among older women especially those females who have passed through the phase of menopause. It is due to hormonal changes in the body that is caused by menopause.

Many a time snoring is taken for sleep apnea; however, both are entirely different set of problems. Snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea but not a cause in itself. Snoring is simply the occurrence of a whistle kind of sound while you are sleeping and sleep apnea is the blockade in the way of air, as a result of which you are not able to breathe properly at the time of sleeping. Snoring, as such, does not have any health impact but sleep apnea is a disorder that demands good medical care.




Different Types of Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
Mixed sleep apnea (MSA)

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is one of the most commonly found sleeping disorders. It is a medical condition in which there is obstruction in breathing that is caused due to disturbance in the flow of air in the mouth and nose.

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)

It is a rarely found sleeping disorder that occurs when the signals of brain giving instructions to the body to breathe get delayed. It is a problem of the central nervous system which is mainly caused due to injury in the brainstem. For treating this problem, there are certain medications that help a great deal in stimulating the need to breathe oxygen.

Mixed Sleep Apnea (MSA)

Mixed Sleep Apnea (MSA) is a combination of the above two mentioned types of sleep apnea. It has often been found that patients of this sleeping disorder derive benefits from treatment but only to the extent of obstruction in the flow of air. It does not completely put an end to the episode of sleeping apnea.

To conclude, if you find any of the sleep apnea symptoms, it is advisable to immediately see a doctor and seek medical advice.

Dave Clark

Dave Clark is an experienced article writer and has been writing articles and books for many years, he is very knowledgeable in numerous fields, Dave also works part time for Cushy Sofa a manufacturer and online retailer of Divans, Memory Foam Sofas, Memory Foam Pillows, Memory Foam Mattresses, Memory Foam Toppers, Buy your memory foam mattress

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Answering Common Questions About Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common breathing condition that can range from mild to moderate to severe. It's also a progressive disorder, which means that it gets worse with time.

Approximately twelve to twenty million people in the United States suffer from sleep apnea. Adult sleep apnea is as common across the globe as is adult onset diabetes. More men suffer from it than women. In addition, it's more common in those who are overweight and have a tendency toward loud, habitual snoring. According to The National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research, approximately 38,000 individuals die annually as a result of cardiovascular problems relating in one way or another to sleep apnea.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder differentiated by pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses can cover anywhere from ten to sixty seconds at a time. In more serious cases, the breathing lapses can be even longer. These pauses or "apnea events" can occur as often as three hundred to four hundred times per night. Some people wake up during these episodes while others do not.

What Are The Different Types of Sleep Apnea?

There are three types of sleep apnea - obstructive, central and mixed. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common, afflicting nine out of ten individuals who suffer from the disorder. In the case of obstructive sleep apena, an obstruction is blocking the trachea (or wind pipe) from allowing air in and out of the lungs. Other causes of the obstruction include the possibility of too much fatty tissue in the area of the throat or that the throat muscles are too relaxed. The second type, central sleep apnea, results from the brain having crossed signals about normal breathing patterns. In this case "the muscles you use to breathe don’t get the ‘go-ahead’ signal from the brain. Either the brain doesn’t send the signal, or the signal gets interrupted." This form is extremely rare. The third and final type, mixed sleep apnea, is a combination of the other two, though it generally has more in common with obstructive sleep apnea.

How Do I Know For Sure If I Have Sleep Apnea?

There are a number of initial symptoms that should alert you to the possibility of sleep apnea. These include loud snoring, cessation of breathing during the night, and extreme tiredness during the day. If you exhibit any of these symptoms, your doctor can send you for a special sleep-recording test known as a polysomnography which can diagnosis the disorder.

Is Sleep Apnea Dangerous And/Or Life Threatening?

If left untreated sleep apnea can lead to more serious health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. The chances of having a car accident or a work-related accident are also increased for those suffering from sleep apnea.

Is There Anything That Can Be Done To Improve My Sleep Apnea?

Initially, making lifestyle changes can go a long way in preventing sleep apnea from growing worse. These changes can include losing weight, quitting smoking, limiting your use of alcohol four hours before bedtime, not using sleeping pills or sedatives, and sleeping on your side instead of on your back.

gladys906

Sleep Apnea and Oximeter

Apnea, or 'Apnoea', is a technical term for suspension of breathing. An apnea event is defined as a breath cessation for a minimum of 10 minutes, with a neurological arousal and/or a blood oxygen desaturation of three to four or greater. Sleep apnea is a breath disorder during sleep which may cause serious consequences such as heart failure.

There are three types of sleep apnea are central sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea and complex sleep apnea (the combination of the two types). Central sleep apnea is caused by the imbalance of brain respiratory control center, while obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the obstruction of airway by decreased muscle tone or increased soft tissue around the airway (e.g. obesity or aging). Obstructive sleep apnea makes up about 84% of sleep apnea cases; the complex sleep apnea makes up about 15% and the central sleep apnea makes up 0.4%. [1]

The symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea commonly include loud snoring, restless sleep, and sleepiness during the daytime. The treatment of this type of sleep apnea is usually the use of breathing treatments, such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). Other habits that contribute to symptoms of sleep apnea is smoking, drinking alcohol, or losing large amounts of weight.

Due to the drop of oxygen level and increase of carbon dioxide level during sleep, hypoxia and hypercapnia are usually the results of central sleep apnea. Consequently, hypoxia and hypercapnia have effects on human body and could result in more serious health issues, angina, arrhythmias, heart attacks or at worst sudden death. [2]

Diagnostic tests of sleep apnea include home oximetry or polysomnograph readings in a sleep clinic. Oximeters that measures blood oxygen levels are a necessary device to measure normal stats in a person’s body while their asleep. According to the results of a study published in the Jan. 15 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine.

"The practical purpose of diagnostic assessment in most cases of obstructive sleep apnea is to predict which patients have symptoms that will improve on treatment. Portable monitors record primarily oxygen saturation, can be used at home without supervision, and are cheaper [than polysomnography]."

OctiveTech oximeters offer a flexible and affordable way for sleep apnea sufferers and their doctors to monitor their blood saturation during sleep. We especially recommend the handhelds that alarm at a certain low blood oxygen concentration.

References:
[1] Mayo Clinic Discovers New Type Of Sleep Apnea, ScienceDaily, 2006
[2] Sleep apnea, Wikipedia

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Sleep Apnea: A Common Disorder

Sleep apnea is a common disorder that is characterized by very shallow breathing while sleeping. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea.

When sleep is upset throughout the night the next day can be one of fatigue and sleepiness. A person with sleep apnea does not get restful sleep because:

• Brief episodes of increased airway resistance and breathing pauses occur many times throughout the night
• You may experience many brief drops in the oxygen levels in your blood
• Poor sleep quality occurs because you move out of deep sleep and into light sleep several times during the night.

Loud snoring is often a characteristic common to people who have sleep apnea. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea and there are people with sleep apnea that do not know they snore.

Sleep apnea happen more often in people who are overweight, however thin people can also have the condition. The majority of people with sleep apnea do not know they have it, and they do not know they are having problems breathing while they are asleep. A family member and/or bed partner may notice the signs of sleep apnea first.

An increase in the chance of having blood pressure which can lead to heart attack or stroke is one of the consequences of untreated sleep apnea. Sleep apnea left untreated can also increase the risk of diabetes and the risk for work-related accidents and driving accidents.

There is an estimation of over 12 million American who have obstructive sleep apnea. More than half of these people are overweight and most of them "snore" heavily. Sleep apnea is more common in men, and is more common in African Americans, Hispanics, and Pacific Islanders than in Caucasians. It tends to run in families as well. It can also occur in children. If your child snores, you should discuss it with your doctor or health care provider.

Common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Loud snoring
• Choking or gasping during sleep
• Fighting sleepiness during the day (even at work or while driving)
• Morning headaches
• Memory or learning problems
• Feeling irritable
• Not being able to concentrate on your work
• Mood swings or personality changes
• Feelings of depression
• Dry throat upon awakening
• Frequent urination at night

Treatment of sleep apnea:

The goal of treatment is to restore regular nighttime breathing and relieve symptoms such as very loud snoring and daytime sleepiness. Appropriate treatment will also help the associated problems of high blood pressure and reduce risk for heart attack and stroke.

Tips of self-help for sleep apnea include:

• Avoid alcohol, smoking and or medicines that can make you sleepy.
• Lose weight if you are overweight
• Try sleeping on your side instead of your back.

One of the most common treatments for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This treatment is wearing a mask over your nose during sleep.

If you snore, treating sleep apnea may help stop snoring, however, this does not mean you no longer have sleep apnea or that you should stop using CPAP. If CPAP is stopped or not used correctly, sleep apnea will return.
Possible side effects of CPAP include:

• Dry or stuffy nose
• Irritation of the skin on your face
• Bloating of your stomach
• Sore eyes
• Headaches

For people who have side effects working with sleep medicine specialists and technicians can help reduce the side effects. Some things that can be done include:

• Use a nasal spray to relieve a dry, stuffy, or runny nose
• Adjust the CPAP settings
• Adjust the size/fit of the mask
• Add moisture to the air as it flows through the mask
• Use a CPAP machine that can automatically adjust the amount of air pressure to the level that is required to keep the airway open
• Use a CPAP machine that will start with low air pressure and slowly increase the air pressure as you fall asleep.

People with severe sleep apnea symptoms usually feel better once they begin treatment with CPAP. It is important to follow-up with your doctor and to discuss any side effects with your doctor.

Other sleep apnea treatments include:

• Mouthpiece (oral appliance) for people with mild sleep apnea
• Surgery: The type of surgery depends upon the cause of the sleep apnea.

Types of surgery include:

• Surgery to remove tonsils and adenoids if they block the airway, this is especially helpful for children
• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
• Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty
• Tracheostomy
• Rebuilding the lower jaw
• Surgery on the nose
• Surgery to treat obesity.

Source: The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult with your health care provider about any kind of a health problem and especially before beginning any kind of an exercise routine.

Connie Limon

Connie Limon, Trilogy Field Representative. Visit http://nutritionandhealthhub.com and sign up for a weekly nutrition and health tip. The article collection is available as FREE reprints for your newsletters, websites or blog. Visit http://www.healthylife27.com to purchase an array of superior quality, safe and effective products inspired by nature, informed by science and created to improve the health of people, pets and the planet.