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Characterized by gaps between normal breathing during sleep, sleep apnea is
a sleep disorder that plagues many people. A problem that extends beyond the
normal scope of snoring, this is a sleep disorder that should be treated seriously
with patients seeking sleep apnea treatment.
There are two main types of sleep
apnea. The first is called obstructive sleep apnea and is caused when the
soft tissue at the back of the throat relaxes, blocking the passage of air.
The second type is called central sleep apnea and is caused by irregular activity
when the brain signals for your body to breathe. Although obstructive sleep
apnea is more common, it is also fairly common that people have a combination
of both. Since this problem affects not only the quality of rest a person receives
but also poses future health problems, it’s understandable why patients
should seek sleep apnea treatment.
There are several types of sleep apnea treatment available. The different
method of treatment depends on the severity and the specific symptoms a patient
is exhibiting. If the condition is mild, sleep apnea treatments can be as simple
as things like buying a better pillow that offers more support and helps air
flow evenly or avoiding medications, alcoholic beverages, quitting smoking,
or following a better diet. Doctors tend to try these methods first before proceeding
with other sleep apnea treatments.
If these lifestyle changes don’t produce results, doctors often recommend
CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). This is where a mask and machine
blow air through a tube to keep your airway open. There are also other variations
of the mask type therapy called VPAP (variable positive airway pressure) and
APAP (automatic positive airway pressure). CPAP is one of the more common sleep
apnea treatments and has worked well in many patients.
When confronted with sleep apnea treatments like masks, some patients are resistant,
but once they try sleeping with the mask, they are surprised by the deeper,
more satisfying sleep they enjoy. These masks are often used along with humidifiers
since some patients experience dry airways and mucous membranes as a result
of these “air compressor” machines.
Other sleep apnea treatments include MAS (Mandibular advancement splint). This
is a sort of mouth guard that holds the bottom jaw at a relaxed position and
moves the tongue away from the back of the airway. This promotes more even,
unobstructed breathing.
If all other sleep apnea treatments have been exhausted, a doctor may have
to resort to surgical intervention to correct the problem. Many people may think
this seems a drastic remedy to snoring, but you need to keep in mind that sleep
apnea, if left untreated, can have devastating consequences. Excessive drowsiness
can cause people to fall asleep when driving or when in other potentially dangerous
situations. It has also been linked to strokes, high blood pressure, and heart
failure. After looking at the facts, it’s not hard for a person to understand
why it’s important to seek sleep apnea treatment.
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