Sleep Apnea Represents Both A Common and Occasionally Dangerous Sleep Disorder

Sleep apnea is one of the commonest of all sleep disorders and affects in the region of 18,000,000 Americans. A sleeping disorder which is characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep, it is also indisputably the most dangerous of all sleeping disorders because it deprives the brain of critical oxygen and sometimes proves to be fatal.

There are two totally distinct types of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is in effect a neurological disorder in which breathing is interrupted as a result of signals sent from the brain. Obstructive sleep apnea is in essence a mechanical problem in which the windpipe is obstructed either by excessive tissue or by the abnormal collapse or relaxation of muscle tissue around the windpipe. In both cases however the results are essentially the same with frequent interruptions to normal breathing which starve the brain of oxygen and place sufferers at greater risk from things like high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.

Sadly, diagnosing sleep apnea can be difficult as snoring, which is a common symptom and frequently results in sleep apnea being known as the snoring disease, is also seen as a symptom of several other medical conditions. Snoring is often seen with sleep apnea as the brain responds to a drop in oxygen by awakening the sufferer sufficiently to restart breathing and this usually causes snoring.

This repeated awakening during the night also produces a very poor overall quality of sleep and it is quite common for sleep apnea sufferers to wake up in the morning feeling more tired than when they got into bed. This also causes feelings of sheer exhaustion during the day and an overpowering wish to sleep.

However, tiredness arising from a poor quality of sleep is merely part of the picture and a range of other symptoms will normally be seen including headaches in the morning, a lack of memory and a problem in concentrating.

Without treatment the growing exhaustion resulting from sleep apnea may lead to major psychological problems beginning with simple touchiness and moving on to depression with obvious changes in behavior and mood.

Both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea can be treated and, as long as the problem is diagnosed early enough, this treatment can often be fairly simple. For example, mild cases of obstructive sleep apnea resulting from nasal congestion can generally be treated with nothing more than a course of decongestants. Similarly, a lot of cases of sleep apnea which are not particularly severe may be treated using a mask that is worn during sleep and that delivers air at a constant pressure in order to keep the airway open. Lastly, in the most serious cases surgery might be required and can be very effective, though it can also result in various complications and needs to be approached carefully.

Possibly the most important thing to bear in mind about sleep apnea is that as it carries with it the potentially fatal risk of respiratory failure sufferers should not be tempted to use sleeping pills or to take other types of sleep enhancers without first seeking the approval of their doctor.

Natural sleep remedies can without doubt complement medically prescribed medicines and herbs that are designed to improve the duration and quality of sleep may be of assistance in managing the excessive daytime sleepiness generally accompanying sleep apnea. Likewise, such things as aromatherapy, chromatherapy and meditation and guided relaxation will help in reducing the anxiety and insomnia which accompany sleep apnea.