Snoring And Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is the repeated temporary interruption of
breathing during sleep and one symptom of this condition is snoring.
In fact the snoring caused by this condition is usually very loud
and has been described as raucous.
In sleep apnea breathing stops for 10 seconds or more at least five
times every hour which can lead to there being low oxygen levels in
the body which in turn leads to many more serious health conditions.
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Sleep apnea more commonly occurs in those who are
overweight or who drink alcohol or smoke. Interestingly, it has also
been found to occur more frequently in those who reside at high
altitudes.
There are two types of sleep apnea. The most common one is called
obstructive sleep apnea and occurs owing to a blockage in the
airway. The second type of sleep apnea called central sleep apnea is
a very rare condition caused by a problem in the nerves that control
the breathing mechanism.
Obstructive sleep apnea is thought to mainly affect men between the
ages of 40 and 60 and it is said to occur when the nasal passages
and the upper airways become obstructed during sleep. Usually this
obstruction is caused by the soft tissue of the throat (the pharynx)
simply relaxing during sleep. |
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This obstruction prevents breathing until the levels
of oxygen in the blood fall to such a low level that the
sufferer wakens and responds by taking a deep breath –
accompanied by snorting, rasping and other noises associated
with snoring.
Carrying excess weight around the area of the
neck makes the condition much worse as can having a large
tongue or small mouth relative to each other.
In children the most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea
is enlarged tonsils or adenoids.
In central sleep apnea the nerves that usually automatically
regulate breathing do not work properly and this leads to
impaired breathing. Central sleep apnea often follows a
brain injury or stroke.
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The symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea often
develop slowly over time and are usually first noticed by a
partner because of the very loud snoring. Other tell-tale
signs are:
• waking up tired
• daytime sleepiness
• poor memory
• impaired concentration
• headaches, particularly in the morning
• impotence in men
• frequent need for night time urination.
If sleep apnea is left untreated it can lead to problems
with irregular heartbeat or arrhythmias; pulmonary
hypertension (high blood pressure in the blood vessels
serving the lungs) and also an increased risk of developing
high blood pressure (hypertension). |
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Severe sleep apnea can eventually become life threatening.
While people may be reluctant to seek
medical help for snoring it is important to recognize that
it is often a symptom of what could be a more serious
underlying health condition – such as sleep apnea. Snoring
can be a symptom of a health condition that is life
threatening, as well as being something that can destroy
relationships. Have it checked out and see if the quality of
your sleep cannot be improved.
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