Definition of Sleep Apnea
Adult Snoring, Sleep Apnea Symptoms and CPAP Treatment
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder causing brief interruptions in breathing and disrupting sleep. Sleep apnea can cause stroke and heart attacks.
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects eighteen million Americans and millions more worldwide. Many people who live with sleep apnea are unaware they even have a sleep disorder. They may dismiss symptoms of sleep apnea as simply snoring, or attribute tiredness and irritability to stress or other variables. Often family members are more concerned about sleep apnea symptoms than the affected individual.
A Definition of Sleep Apnea
The literal definition of sleep apnea is "cessation of breath while sleeping." Apnea is Greek for cessation of breath. A more helpful definition of sleep apnea is a serious and common sleep disorder causing people to stop breathing for short periods during sleep.
Depending on the severity of sleep apnea, the person may stop breathing for ten to thirty sounds at a time. When breathing stops, the person is aroused from deep sleep. The individual may not awake completely, but their sleep cycle is disrupted.
In severe cases of sleep apnea breathing may stop 300 to 400 times a night.
Who gets Sleep Apnea?
Men and anyone over the age of forty are most likely to develop sleep apnea, but the disorder can also appear in children. Ethnicity and lifestyle also influence a person's sleep apnea risk.
Sleep Apnea: Snoring and Other Symptoms
Individuals affected by the sleep disorder are usually unaware of symptoms of sleep apnea. Snoring is a common symptom, but snoring alone does not automatically merit a diagnosis of sleep apnea.
Family members and bed partners are often acutely aware that sleep apnea patients stop breathing as they sleep. Lying awake waiting for a loved one to start breathing again is a nerve-wracking experience. Often it is family members' concerns that drive people to seek sleep apnea treatment.
Sleep Apnea Diagnosis
Sleep apnea diagnosis requires an overnight evaluation of sleep patterns, either in a sleep clinic or at home. A sleep apnea diagnosis confirms the presence of the sleep disorder: additional tests may be required to determine the causes of sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Once the causes of sleep apnea are determined, appropriate sleep apnea treatment can be prescribed. The most common sleep apnea treatment is the CPAP, a machine that uses air flow to keep breathing passages open. Other sleep apnea treatment options include the use of a sleep apnea dental device or surgery.
Sleep Apnea Complications.
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder which, left untreated, can produce dangerous complications. Sleep apnea complications range from heart attacks and strokes to a heightened risk of serious accidents due to exhaustion.
Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute in any way for care and treatment by a qualified health professional.
