Have you been told you snore during your sleep? Do you often awaken after a night's sleep feeling somnolent which persists into the next day? If so, you may have a relatively common condition called obstructive sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when you experience periods where breathing stops for several seconds to several minutes throughout the night. Other than causing symptoms of sleep deprivation, sleep apnea can result in more serious health problems such as heart failure, elevated blood pressure, and stroke. This is why sleep apnea treatment is so important.
If you've been told by your doctor you have obstructive sleep apnea, what are your treatment options? Your doctor may initially recommend lifestyle changes such as weight loss, eliminating smoking and sedatives, avoiding alcohol, as well as sleeping in a more upright position if your sleep apnea is mild. All of these measures have been shown to have a positive impact on obstructive sleep apnea. For some sleep apnea sufferers, this may eliminate the problem, particularly if the weight loss is substantial. Other patients will need more intense sleep apnea treatment in order to avoid future health complications.
If your sleep apnea is more severe or if you fail to respond to the above measures, a CPAP machine may be recommended. This is a machine that delivers a steady supply of air to your lungs through a mask attached to a special machine. This constant supply of air helps to keep your airway open during sleep, ensuring that your body receives an adequate supply of oxygen. This reduces your risk of developing sleep apnea complications such as heart failure or blood pressure problems.
If you're told you need a CPAP machine, it will be important you get a mask that fits well in order to increase your comfort level. Although some patients have a problem tolerating the mask initially, the majority of people can adjust to CPAP over time and will be rewarded with a better night's sleep and a higher energy level during the day.
In some situations, obstructive sleep apnea is caused by excess tissue in the nasal
passages or throat that interferes with the adequate flow of air. If this is the case,
surgical treatment to remove the redundant tissue may be suggested. This may
involve removal of your tonsils and adenoids in addition to the obstructing tissue.
Be sure to discuss sleep apnea treatment options with your doctor to determine
which type of treatment would be most appropriate for your particular situation.
By seeking sleep apnea treatment quickly, you can avoid the potentially serious
complications associated with this disease.
