Sleep Apnea - Why It Needs Treatment

Sleep apnea is a condition or disorder where you stop breathing for several seconds. A blockage or obstruction in the upper respiratory airways is the common cause for this disorder and is called the obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Another one is a faulty wiring in the brain so to speak. The brain fails to give the commands to the muscles responsible for breathing such as the ones in the diaphragm and rib cage.

Many people are afflicted with this disorder but they don't know they have it. People who have sleep apnea are disrupted in their by the 'cessation of breath' several times each night. It could even occur more than a hundred times. That would mean getting no quality sleep which is very important for our health.

They wake up in the morning feeling not refreshed and spend the day being less productive in work and sleepy since quality sleep is deprived.

Every time sleep apnea occurs, the brain is deprived of oxygen. The duration of not breathing lasts 10 or more seconds. Oxygen in the lungs becomes depleted and carbon dioxide which is supposed to be exhaled lingers and accumulates. In the long run this causes brain damage mainly in the area where short term memories are processed.

Since sleep is disrupted several times during the night, the required sleep cycle for proper rest is not achieved. Take for example the deep sleep cycle where most of the physical and nervous system repair functions of our body occurs cannot be completed. This sleep deprivation can cause depression, weight gain, heart disorders, stress, anxiety and so on.

In obstructive sleep apnea, lying supine or in your back can increase the occurrence of this condition. The muscles and tissues of the upper respiratory airways tend to relax in this position thereby increasing the tendency of blockage or obstruction. Experts advise that people with sleep apnea lie on their sides to prevent the natural tendency of the airways to become blocked. Comfortable sleeping materials like latex mattress, air mattress or memory foam mattress are best suited for this to obtain comfort and thereby better sleep.

Sleep deprivation is dangerous since you are not fully refreshed making you not being fully alert during daytime. Because of that, risks during driving or operating machinery lurks every time.

If you exhibit symptoms of this disorder such as snoring, daytime sleepiness, gasping for breath while sleeping, memory loss, becoming overweight, depression, etc., you better consult a medical practitioner so that it can be treated if you are diagnosed with sleep apnea. If you sleep with a partner, he or she may have noticed your gasping for breath during sleep.

There are several treatments of sleep apnea which you can talk about with your physician. One such treatment is to wear a sort of oxygen mask. This exerts a constant flow of air to your nose so that when your air passage is blocked, the air pressure will push it open. Other options are available and in extreme cases, surgery may be necessary.

To prevent brain damage or accidents because of sloppy brain functioning, do check with a physician if you suspect you have sleep apnea.