Sleep Apnea Cause, Symptom and Treatment

 

Definition and Summary

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that disrupt a person's breathing during sleep. This condition is a serious disease, especially if left untreated, they may cause a person to stop breathing. It also can cause shallow breathing several times when the patient is asleep, so that the body, especially the brain, lack of oxygen. Brief pauses in breathing can last only a few seconds to several minutes. It can also happen very often, occasionally occur up to 30 times in the span of one hour.

These breathing pauses may cause serious health problems in a long time. In the worst case, this can cause:

•     High blood pressure

•     Heart failure

•     Heart attack

•     Stroke

•     Diabetes

•     Headache

•     Depression

Causes and Types of Continuous Breath When Sleep Disorders

There are two types of this condition, as follows:

    Stop breathing disorders Sleep When Centralized - in this case, the brain fails to send the appropriate signals to the breathing muscles to hasten. This failure is due to instability in the respiratory system.

    Stop breathing disorders Sleep When inhibitors - in the case of these disorders, soft tissue located at the back of the throat disintegrate and block the airway during sleep. This type of disorder is more common than the first type.

Adults and children alike can experience this condition, although the people below are more at risk for developing these conditions:

•     Those who are overweight

•     Aged 40 years or older

•     Having a family history of disorder sufferers stop breathing during sleep

•     In men who have a neck size of at least 17 inches and 16 inches ladies

•     Have tonsil size larger than the average

•     Has a larger tongue

•     Having a small jawbone

•     Having a family history of apnea or other sleep disorders

•     Suffering from nasal septum (septum) Chatter

•     Allergies

•     Patients with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux - the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus)

•     Patients with sinus problems

Main symptoms

Because of these conditions occurs during sleep, most people are not aware that they suffer from this sleep disorder.

Although these symptoms may present themselves, not all people think of them as a sleep disorder. However, if you experience the following symptoms, you should see a health professional.

•     Loud snoring

•     Choking or gasping sensation that can wake you from sleep

•     Sleepiness during the day or while driving

•     Lack of energy

•     Restless sleep

•     Headache, especially in the morning after waking up

•     Poor memory

•     Mood swings

•     Decreased sexual interest

•     Insomnia

•     Woke up many times at midnight

•     Waking up with a sore throat

•     Dry throat

Stopping breathing disorders during sleep, along with other sleep disorders, also prevent someone to show their best work because of fatigue and lack of sleep that he experienced.

This condition is also considered as a cause of poor academic achievement for children and adolescents.

Who Can Met & Types of Treatment Available

If you experience the above symptoms, you should see a doctor as soon as possible to undergo a sleep disorder. Referred to as polisomnogram, this test is available at the sleep disorders center but can be done easily in your own home.

Polisomnogram also dubbed a "sleep study" where the activity your body is doing during sleep digitally sent and recorded. Some patients may find the test bed was a little uncomfortable because they will be bound in the chest and abdomen with a belt designed to measure breathing patterns. To send activity of the brain, the doctor who was checking you will expose the electrode to the surface of your face. Examination using the oximeter will also be placed on your finger to check the oxygen levels in your blood.

Another test your doctor may do to strengthen the diagnosis include:

    Electroencephalogram - measuring brain wave activity

    Electromyogram - record muscle activity to identify REM sleep and make sure you have friction tooth or facial twitching deliberate

•     Electro-okulogram - recording the eye movements

•     Electrocardiogram - observe the heart rate and heart rhythm

•     Microphone snoring - snoring activity record

•     Airflow sensor - record airflow during sleep

When a sleep disorder has been confirmed as the main problem, the next test can be done to ensure the best treatment for you.

    CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) - This treatment includes placing a mask over the patient's nose and mouth during sleep. This mask is connected to a machine that can transmit air supply remains in the nose for breathing. This is the method most commonly used treatments but are often equipped with home care and lifestyle changes.

    Lifestyle changes - make a good change in your lifestyle is usually effective in preventing the occurrence of sleep disorders, including eating a healthy and balanced diet, keep your weight regularly, and distancing oneself from the consumption of sleeping pills.

    Dental devices or mouthpieces - some patients using dental devices that are specifically designed to keep the airway remains open while a person is sleeping. The device is adjusted only by dentists who completed specialized training in caring or supportive treatment of sleep disorders.

    Surgery - a person suffering from chronic sleep disorders that can not be cured with treatment options above can also undergo surgery to correct the physical cause of the disorder. This treatment option is not recommended except as a last resort or in cases where the disorder is caused by a deviated nasal septum, a small lower jaw, or enlarged tonsils. Treatment with surgical ways including surgery of the nose, uvulopalatofaringoplasty where soft tissue is blocking the flow of air is eliminated, and advanced Mandibular maxillar surgery, performed to repair the face and throat problems that play a role in triggering the attacks stop breathing during sleep.


Respiratory device "Inspire" - Inspire is a name of a special graft device, which stimulates the nerves that regulate the muscles of the airways to ensure it remains open and unobstructed.

Experts sleep is a health care expert who specializes in sleep disorders. They are trained to analyze the results of the test in distinguishing your sleep and stop breathing during sleep disorder from other types of sleep disorders.
They can be found in a hospital or clinic specialized sleep.

If the problem is influential enough sleep lowers the quality of your daily life, you should immediately see a sleep specialist. The health care professional will make a special treatment plan based on your medical history, risk factors, and the type and specific cause of your sleep disorder. If physical causes are emerging, such as the small size of the jaw bone, a dentist who specialized in producing oral care or dental devices can also help treat the condition you are experiencing.

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