| -link"> | | | | But, tiredness resulting from poor quality sleep is only |
| Sleep Apnea is arguably one of the most commonly | | | | one part of the picture and a variety of other |
| seen sleeping disorders but few people know | | | | symptoms will almost certainly be present including |
| precisely how dangerous this sleep disorder can be. | | | | headaches in the morning, poor memory and a |
| Sleep apnea is possibly the most commonly seen of | | | | difficulty in concentrating. |
| all sleep disorders and affects in the region of | | | | Left untreated the growing exhaustion resulting from |
| eighteen million people in the US. A sleeping disorder | | | | sleep apnea may produce serious psychological |
| which is characterized by broken breathing during | | | | problems starting with irritability and progressing to |
| sleep, sleep apnea is also undeniably the most | | | | depression with obvious changes in mood and |
| dangerous of sleeping disorders because it starves | | | | behavior. |
| the brain of essential oxygen and sometimes proves | | | | Both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea |
| fatal. | | | | can be treated and, providing the problem is caught |
| There are two totally distinct forms of sleep apnea. | | | | early enough, treatment can often be quite easy. For |
| Central sleep apnea is in essence a neurological | | | | example, minor cases of obstructive sleep apnea |
| disorder where breathing is broken as a result of | | | | caused by nasal congestion can commonly be treated |
| signals sent out by the brain. Obstructive sleep apnea | | | | with little more than decongestants. Similarly, a lot of |
| by contrast is in essence a mechanical problem where | | | | cases of sleep apnea that are not particularly severe |
| the windpipe is blocked either by too much tissue or | | | | may be treated with a mask that is worn during |
| by the unusual relaxation or collapse of the muscles | | | | sleep and that provides a constant pressure of air to |
| around the windpipe. In both cases however the | | | | keep the airway open. Finally, in the most severe |
| results are essentially identical with recurrent | | | | cases of sleep apnea surgery might be required and |
| interruptions to normal breathing that deprive the | | | | can be very effective, although it can also produce |
| brain of oxygen and put sufferers at greater risk | | | | several complications and has to be approached with |
| from such things as high blood pressure, heart attack | | | | care. |
| and stroke. | | | | Probably the most important thing to remember |
| Unluckily, diagnosing sleep apnea can prove difficult | | | | when treating sleep apnea is that as it carries the |
| because snoring, which is a common symptom and | | | | potentially fatal risk of respiratory failure sufferers |
| often leads to sleep apnea being called the snoring | | | | should not be tempted to use sleeping pills or to take |
| disease, is also present as a symptom of a variety of | | | | other forms of artificial sleep enhancers without first |
| other medical conditions. Snoring is generally present | | | | seeking the approval of a doctor. |
| in cases of sleep apnea because the brain counters a | | | | Natural sleep remedies without question provide an |
| drop in oxygen by waking the sufferer enough to | | | | effective complement to prescribed medication and |
| restart the breathing process and this often results in | | | | herbs that are intended to improve the quality and |
| snoring. | | | | duration of sleep can be helpful in managing the |
| This recurrent awakening throughout the night also | | | | excessive daytime sleepiness generally brought on by |
| causes a very poor quality of sleep and it is quite | | | | sleep apnea. Also, such things as aromatherapy, |
| common for sleep apnea sufferers to wake up in the | | | | chromatherapy and guided relaxation and meditation |
| morning feeling more tired than when they got into | | | | can help in reducing the anxiety and insomnia that |
| bed. This also leads to feelings of exhaustion during | | | | come with sleep apnea. |
| the course of the day and a great wish to sleep. | | | | |