What is Sleep Apnea?

Written by Fred McConnell

In a nutshell, sleep apnea occurs when you fail to breathe properly during the night. Your airway becomes restricted, and you basically have to awaken, in order to take in enough oxygen. The result is the lack of truly restful sleep and potentially dangerous health related problems. Sleep apnea may actually be a symptom of some serious illnesses. So, it is extremely important to discover whether you have sleep apnea and what you should do about it, if diagnosed.

Three Types of Sleep Apnea

As with most health issues, one size does not fit all. If you suffer from sleep apnea, the doctor needs to discover what type of the disorder is affecting your ability to get rest. For example, the most common form is called obstructive sleep apnea. As you sleep, the soft tissue collapses many times during the night, which totally blocking air flow. Although you may not realize it, you may be waking up and shifting all night long to reopen your airway and get oxygen.

Central sleep apnea is basically when you forget to breathe automatically. For some reason, you forget to inhale, while you are asleep. So, you have to awaken, to some degree, in order to take your next breathe.

For still other sleep apnea suffers, both problems can occur throughout the night. So, the body is constantly being deprived of adequate oxygen and sufficient sleep. Because of breathing issues, people with sleep apnea never reach that level of unconsciousness giving the body a chance to truly rest and recharge. For this reason, people with the disorder often feel more tired in the morning than they did the previous night.

Diagnosing Sleep Apnea

If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, the first thing to do is see your doctor. He/she will ask you lots of questions related to your concerns. Then, if you are a likely sufferer, to doctor will probably give you a detailed questionnaire to fill out at home. If you do not live alone, you will need the help of your housemates or family. Some of the questions are related to what they see and hear when you are asleep.

For instance, do you snore loudly? Do you appear to stop breathing, followed by a sharp intake of breathe? Do you constantly move around in your sleep? While those are only a few of the pages of questions that you will be required to answer, you will likely receive pages of queries to carefully consider.

Once you have completed the questionnaire, you will return to your doctor, so he/she can evaluate the answers. Based upon your responses, it will be decided whether you will progress to the next stage of the diagnostic process. If so, the doctor will schedule an appointment at a sleep study center. You will then spend the night in the facility, so professionals can monitor your sleep patterns. You will not only be observed, but you will also be hooked up to machines that will determine exactly what level of sleep you attain during the night. The final step will hopefully give the doctor the definitive answer you have been seeking.

What Next?

Once you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, the best treatment is continuous positive air pressure (CPAP). You will have to wear some type of mask, when you get ready for sleep. A machine will force air into your nasal passages and for the airway to stay open, so you can remain asleep.

Unfortunately, the mask can be uncomfortable. Plus, the machine that forces the air into your nose throughout the night can be a little noisy. Some people can get used to these changes, in favor of a good night’s sleep. Others become frustrated and quit CPAP.

The next treatment of choice is probably oral appliances that you put in your mouth, to keep the airway open during the night. Alternatively, you might wear something on your nose that will keep the nasal passages from closing in your sleep. But, it probably does not work as well as the CPAP. Some devices are custom made, and patients are pleased, because the solution is comfortable and does not disturb any attempt to sleep.

Finally, as a last resort, surgery may be an option. Sometimes, plastic surgery can be performed to alter the structure of the nose, so air passage will stay open. But, it is generally not the treatment most doctors will recommend.

In short, a sleep apnea diagnosis does not simply mean disruption of sleep. Not getting sufficient oxygen during sleep can lead to heart and circulatory problems. For example, you do not want to have a stroke, because you are not taking in enough air during the night. If diagnosed with sleep apnea, you need to discuss treatment options with your doctor, and find the solution for a restful and restorative night of sleep.