Sleep apnea is one of the commonest sleep disorder and affects in the region of 18,000,000 people in the United States. A sleep disorder which is characterized by broken breathing during sleep, sleep apnea is also without question the most dangerous of all sleep disorders because it starves the brain of crucial oxygen and can sometimes prove fatal.
There are two very different forms of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is in effect a neurological disorder where the breathing is broken as a result of signals sent from the brain. Obstructive sleep apnea by contrast is in effect a mechanical problem where the windpipe is blocked either by excessive tissue or by the abnormal relaxation or collapse of the muscles in and around the windpipe. In both cases however the results are basically identical with regular interruptions to the breathing which starve the brain of oxygen and put sufferers at heightened risk from things like hypertension, heart attack and stroke.
Regrettably, diagnosing sleep apnea can prove a problem because snoring, which is a common symptom and frequently leads to sleep apnea being known as the snoring disease, is also often seen as a symptom of various other conditions. Snoring is normally present in cases of sleep apnea because the brain reacts to a drop in oxygen by waking the sufferer sufficiently to restart breathing and this generally results in snoring.
This frequent awakening through the night also produces a poor quality of sleep and it is not at all uncommon for sleep apnea sufferers to wake up in the morning feeling more tired than when they got into bed. This also produces a feeling of sheer exhaustion during the course of the day and a tremendous desire to sleep.
But, tiredness arising from poor quality sleep is just one part of the picture and a range of other symptoms will almost certainly be present including headaches in the morning, forgetfulness and a problem in maintaining concentration.
Without treatment the increasing exhaustion resulting from sleep apnea can lead to severe psychological problems beginning with tetchiness and progressing to depression with clear changes in behavior and mood.
Both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea are treatable and, as long as the problem is diagnosed early enough, treatment is often quite simple. For instance, a minor case of obstructive sleep apnea resulting from nasal congestion can often be treated with nothing more than a course of decongestants. Likewise, many cases of sleep apnea which are not especially serious can be treated using a mask which is worn during sleep and which delivers air at a constant pressure in order to keep the airway open. Lastly, in the most serious cases surgery might be required and can be extremely effective, although it can also result in a number of complications and has to be approached carefully.
Probably the most important thing to remember when it comes to treating sleep apnea is that as it carries the potential risk of respiratory failure sufferers ought not to be tempted to take sleeping pills or to take other forms of artificial sleep enhancers without first seeking the approval of a doctor.
Natural sleep remedies can undoubtedly complement prescribed medicines and herbal remedies that are intended to improve the duration and quality of sleep can help in the management of the excessive daytime sleepiness frequently accompanying sleep apnea. Likewise, things like chromatherapy, aromatherapy and meditation and guided relaxation can help to combat the insomnia and anxiety which go along with sleep apnea.
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