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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. There are also pillows on the market
today called sleep
apnea pillows that keep the neck and spine
in alignment opening up the air passageways to
promote proper breathing while you sleep. These
memory foam pillows are a welcome addition to
conventional sleep apnea treatments.
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.
Written
by Dr. Joseph J. Berke, M.D., Ph.D.
Discover how sleeping on The Sleep Better Pillow
can change your life.
Dr.
Joseph J. Berke is an author and inventor dedicated
to helping people get a better nights rest
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