Sleep apnea causes, symptoms and treatments.

Apnea is a Greek word that literally, means “without breath”. There are three kinds of apnea reported that is obstructive, central and mixed. Among them obstructive sleep apnea is the most common.

Obstructive sleep apnea causes may include blockage of the air way, usually when soft tissues that are present in the rear of the throat collapses and closes while sleeping. But in the case of central sleep apnea the air way is not blocked but the signals delivers by the brain comes to a halt. Muscles are not getting signals for breathing hence pause in breathing pattern is reported. And the mixed apneas as is suggested by name doesn’t having its own specific cause but is reported by the combination of the above two causes. With each event of apnea the brain briefly arouses in order for resuming breathing but this ultimately results in extremely fragmented and poor quality of sleeping.

Sleep apnea is now becoming very common and has already affected more than twelve million Americans. Risk factors of sleep apnea may include overweight, high blood pressure and other cardio vascular disease, impotency, memory problems and headaches. Untreated sleep apnea may also be responsible for motor vehicle clashes and job impairment. Fortunately several treatments and diagnosis of sleep apnea is possible.

Well it is tough to identify sleep apnea on your own. Since all symptoms is shown while you are sleeping you can overcome this difficulty by asking your bed partner to observe your sleeping habits. Some of the major signs and symptoms of sleep apnea may include:-

• Loud chronic snoring.
• Long pauses while sleeping.
• Choking, snoring or gasping during sleep.
• Sleepiness in daytime, although sleeping well in bed.

Some of the less prominent symptoms may include:-

• Dry mouth or sore throat on wakening.
• Nighttime awakening or the insomnia.
• Morning Headaches.
• Going bathroom frequently at night.

Treatment of sleep apnea may start at the physician based on the patients complains. The physicians examine bones of jaw, throat and face structure in order to see the sizes of space by which inhales air passes. X ray may help envision in the position of the structure.

Diagnosis of sleep apnea depends upon the results of the battery test that is referred as polysomnography. Mild obstructive sleep apnea treatment may include avoiding sleeping on one’s back. And most serious cases of sleep apnea are relieved by the treatment called nasal continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP. It usually brings immediate relief by stooping snoring and smooth breathing pattern is restored along with normal stabilization in blood oxygen level.