Sleep apnea is the condition in which an individual simply stops breathing for short periods of time while he or she is asleep. Often, individuals suffering from sleep apnea are not even aware that they have the condition. Sleep apnea can be caused by an obstructed air way (known as obstructive sleep apnea and by [...]
Sleep Apnea
Many people don’t consider snoring to be a real health problem, only a nuisance to others trying to sleep in the same room. The truth is deep, heavy snoring is actually a symptom of sleep apnea, a potentially dangerous condition that causes breathing to stop and start as you sleep. While it’s a treatable problem, it often goes undiagnosed because many people don’t distinguish it from regular snoring.
There are a few types of sleep apnea, some of which are more serious than others. Sleep apnea may even occur in children, although this is less common. This sleep problem has a number of symptoms, ranging from chronic snoring and pauses in breathing to moodiness and headaches in the morning. These symptoms can persist throughout the day and often make daily routines difficult. In children, sleep apnea can also cause difficulty concentrating in school and inactivity.
There are many risk factors for sleep apnea, including obesity and smoking. Older men are also more likely to experience this potentially harmful sleep condition. Other risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form, include having a deviated septum or enlarged tonsils. Fortunately, there are many treatment options. Sometimes simply changing the way you sleep can help, or changing your lifestyle habits to quit smoking or lose weight. There are also throat exercises and medical treatments that can reduce or eliminate the problem. In severe cases, surgery may also be an option. Removing tonsils or increasing the airway opening can work wonders to eliminate sleep apnea in people who do not find help with other options.
