Snoring And Getting Help For Sleep Apnea
Snoring is noisy breathing caused when the nasal
passageways and upper respiratory tract become blocked or partially
blocked. Snoring can cause huge problems for both the snorer and the
people who have to live in a close vicinity to them.
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Sleep apnea is diagnosed when the blockage causes the
breathing to stop during sleep at least five times every hour for
periods in excess of ten seconds. Sleep apnea can be very
dangerous for the person as they can literally die in their sleep.
Snoring caused by sleep apnea is particularly noisy and can even
disrupt whole households, not just the sufferer and their partner. A
whole family can suffer.
If your doctor suspects you have sleep apnea he will arrange for an
examination of your nose and throat to look for an obvious cause of
obstruction – possibly an anatomical deviation or nasal polyps – and
this will be done by either an endoscopic examination or a CT scan.
Once a preliminary diagnosis is made you will be invited to attend a
sleep laboratory to undergo sleep studies. |
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Sleep studies monitor the changes in body
processes during a period of normal sleep. Various
measurements are taken including
• oxygen levels in the blood
• brain activity
• heart rate
• blood pressure
• airflow in airways
• movement of chest and diaphragm
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You will be invited to stay overnight in the sleep
laboratory where you will be attached to various instruments
that will continuously monitor your various body functions
whilst you sleep.
If sleep apnea is diagnosed you will be advised to avoid any
medication designed to help you sleep and alcohol. If you
are overweight, you will be advised to diet. Often choosing
to sleep on your side will improve the condition too. These
three steps alone may be enough to improve the condition –
and stop the snoring.
Treatments available for those with sleep apnea usually
involve offering positive pressure ventilation where air is
steadily and continuously pumped through a tightly fitting
nasal mask. The increase in air pressure works to keep the
airway open so making breathing easier – and reducing the
snoring levels. |
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If the self help steps and positive air
ventilation do not work or cannot be tolerated surgery may
be required. Such surgery may involve the removal of
enlarged tonsils and adenoids or the reconstruction of the
soft palate.
Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form of this
condition, usually responds readily to treatment. Central
sleep apnea, where there may be brain or nerve damage, is
less responsive. In these circumstances it is possible to
consider the use of drugs that act on the brain to stimulate
breathing.
The snoring caused by sleep apnea is particularly noisy and
disruptive. It sounds positively painful for the sufferer as
their reflexes awaken them to draw in a deep, rasping breath
every ten minutes or so. Sleep patterns are disturbed for
the sufferer and their partner and for this reason it is
important to seek medical treatment.
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