Important Information Concerning Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a type of sleep disorder identified by abnormally shallow breaths during sleeping or pauses in breathing. The pauses in breathing are called apnea. These pauses can last for a few seconds or a few minutes and can occur six to 30 times in an hour. The depthless breathing is referred to as hypopnea. A study called polysomnogram is used to diagnose this disorder.
The three types: mixed or complex; obstructive; and central. In all of these forms, there is a disruption to normal breathing pattern. In obstructive cases, the cause is a physical block to airflow, even when respiratory effort is made. In central cases, the cause is the absence of respiratory effort. There is a notable amount of people who are unaware that they suffer from one of these disorders.
The effects of these disorders can impact the cognition of a person. Common symptoms and effects: slowed reaction time, problems with vision, trouble processing information and daytime fatigue. Some effects on the behavior include moodiness, aggressiveness and decreased motivation. Many of these reactions can negatively impact work, especially in occupations where machine operating and manual labor are required.
The disorder guidelines can be complex. For that reason, many doctors conduct several tests and studies before making a final diagnosis. Sometimes evaluation of clinical symptoms and test results from a study are adequate proof. An oximetry may be conducted in place of a standard test. The oximetry is thought to be an easier alternative and is performed at the home of a patient.
OSA is the most common form of sleep-disordered breathing. The risk for this disorder increases with age, smoking, diabetes and increased body weight. Common symptoms: daytime tiredness, restlessness and snoring. During CSA, the respiratory control systems of the brain are not balanced. A person struggling with this will stop breathing and start up again. Mixed and complex apnea is a combination of central and obstructive disorders. Often, when OSA is severe or constant, CSA develops.
Most treatment will begin with some form of behavioral therapy. Some mild cases can be treated by change in lifestyle. For instance, resting on the side of the body, not taking sleep pills and avoiding alcoholic beverages. Moderate or severe cases are usually handled using APAP, automatic positive airway pressure or CPAP, continuous positive airway pressure. A dentist may suggest oral appliance therapy. This form of treatment involves the use of a custom mouthpiece, which opens the airway by shifting the lower jaw forward. Surgery, which has a cure rate of approximately 95 percent, is the most long-lasting and effective treatment.
Alternative methods for treatment: oropharyngeal exercises and playing the didgeridoo. The didgeridoo is a wind instrument that has been linked to reducing sleepiness, snoring and sleep disorders in patients. By strengthening the airway muscles, this instrument reduces the chances of those muscles collapsing while asleep.
Usually these disorders affect men and women in their middle ages and they have been for centuries. In 1981, Colin Sullivan and his associates described the continuous positive airway pressure. This transformed the management of obstructive sleep apnea. Since then, the desire to seek out and treat individuals with these disorders has resulted in hundreds of sleep disorder clinics worldwide.
Battling sleep apnea? Get more information today on symptoms, how to get Ottawa CPAP, where to get a CPAP Ottawa, and the next steps to take.