Medical research has discovered important information about sleep apnea. This condition is more common than previously thought, a problem for both men and women. It is a dangerous condition that requires action to ensure the health and safety of the individual who has been diagnosed with this sleep disorder. It prevents normal, healthy sleep. Sufferers awaken without having truly received a good night’s sleep, making them low energy, low functioning and irritable.
Several conditions can result in sleep apnea. Breathing is interrupted, sometimes so long that the sleeper gasps for air and almost feels like they are choking, which abruptly awakens them. Airways are collapsing or becoming blocked, possibly due to unnatural positioning of the jaw, tongue and neck structures when the sleeper is lying down. The brain instinctively wakes up the person when breathing pauses too long.
The exact reason cannot be determined without a sleep study. During the study, the individual is observed or filmed while sleeping and wired with sensors. Once physicians determine the cause, they may determine that the best way to prevent dangerously low levels of oxygen and high stress on the body, is use of a sleep apnea machine or CPAP mahcine.
Sleep apnea machines are the most popular therapy for the more usual cases of sleep apnea. A sleep apnea machine provides a steady flow of air which, since it is under pressure, serves to maintain airways during sleep so they cannot collapse. The user only requires the machine when sleeping at home. The machine will prevent the breathing interruptions that lead to gasping and choking. However, there are drawbacks that annoy users. Many are bothered by the rather large mask they must wear while sleeping. They have trouble feeling comfortable and normal with a mask covering the nose and mouth.
Wearing this mask all night may also irritate the skin it must press against. Nasal passages dry out and become stuffy. The mask can almost feel like the wearer is a diver deep in the water, and make them feel claustrophobic. Some solved the dry air issues by installing a humidifier to work with the breathing machine for sleep apnea. If sleepers have been breathing through their mouth, or sleeping with the mouth open, then the mouth becomes very dry; chin straps are one solution to keep the jaws shut at night so the person breathes through the nose.
Some cases of sleep apnea do not respond to this kind of intervention, and more invasive procedures such as surgery become necessary. The condition is serious enough to merit surgery because, unless brought under control, the constant oxygen deprivation and sleep deprivation can lead to such serous health problems as diabetes or heart attacks. Surgery is a last resort–usually successful and non-invasive treatments like using a sleep apnea machine are preferable to the risks of surgery. But the risks of not treating sleep apnea are greater.
