Some 30 million Americans are victims of a sleep disorder called sleep apnea sickness or in other terms obstructive sleep apnea, sleep apnea or central sleep apnea. Numerous others are predisposed and have a high risk of developing the sickness. Adult males, have the highest odds at about 50/50 that their breathing is not normal when they are sleeping. It is very vital that anyone who might be experiencing this problem is predisposed, or knows someone they care about who has this sickness, should have a clear and concise understanding about it.

What you can do about sleep apnea:

The following steps help many people with sleep apnea sleep better:

Stop all use of alcohol or sleep medicines as they relax the muscles in the back of the throat, making it harder for you to breathe.

Sleep on your side or hip instead of your back. Find a high quality side sleeper pillow for maximum comfort

If you are overweight, lose weight.

If you still have problems, speak to your doctor. There are special masks that you can wear over your nose and mouth while you are sleeping. This mask is called a “continuous positive airway pressure,” or CPAP. It will keep your airway open by adding pressure to the air you breathe. The mask helps most people with sleep apnea. Surgery may be necessary, in a very few cases, to remove extra tissue or tonsils from the throat.

Additional information on Sleep Apnea:

Sleep apnea occurs in all age groups and both sexes but is more common in men (and it may be under diagnosed in women). It has been estimated that as many as 18 million Americans have sleep apnea. Four percent of middle-aged men and 2 percent of middle-aged women have sleep apnea along with excessive daytime sleepiness. People most likely to have or develop sleep apnea include those who snore loudly and also are overweight, or have high blood pressure, or have some physical abnormality in the nose, throat, or other parts of the upper airway. Sleep apnea sickness seems to run in some families, suggesting a possible genetic basis.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea:

Fatigue and tiredness during the day is one symptom of sleep apnea. Another symptom is loud snoring; if the loud snoring is repeatedly punctuated by brief periods of silence or choking sounds, the individual is certain to have obstructive sleep apnea.

Ways that sleep apnea affects your Life:

Really, sleep apnea sickness may already have affected you more than you know. Chances are things will improve for you once the diagnosis is made. If your sleep problem can be solved by not using alcohol or sleep medicine, losing weight if you’re overweight and sleeping on your side, you will quickly start to feel much more rested and energetic. If you must wear the mask while sleeping, you should soon feel the benefits. If you need surgery, you’ll be able to sleep better afterwards. Whatever your treatment, remember that you are not alone and help is available.

Related sleep apnea symptoms can include:

Loud snoring

Change in personality

Depression

Rapid weight gain

Reduced sex drive and impotence

High blood pressure

Restless sleep; the repeated struggle to breath can be associated with a fantastic deal of movement.

Depressed mood and/or irritability

Snorting, gasping, choking during sleep

Insomnia

Frequent nocturnal urination

Confusion upon awakening

Difficulty concentrating

Morning headaches

Sleep that is not refreshing

Nocturnal snorting, gasping, choking (may wake self up)

High blood pressure

Overweight

Irritability

A dry mouth upon awakening

Excessive perspiring during sleep

Restless sleep

Heartburn

Sleep Apnea can be a very serious matter:

It is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. The risks of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea include heart attacks, strokes, impotence, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure and heart disease. In addition, obstructive sleep apnea causes daytime sleepiness that can result in accidents, lost productivity and interpersonal relationship problems. The severity of the symptoms may be mild, moderate or severe.

For many sleep apnea patients, their bed partners or family members are the first ones to suspect that something is incorrect, usually from their heavy snoring and apparent struggle to breathe. Coworkers or friends of the sleep apnea victim may notice that the individual falls asleep during the day at inappropriate times (such as while driving a car, working, or talking).

During the apneic event, the person is unable to breathe in oxygen and to exhale carbon dioxide, resulting in low levels of oxygen and increased levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. The reduction in oxygen and increase in carbon dioxide alert the brain to resume breathing and cause an arousal. With each arousal, a signal is sent from the brain to the upper airway muscles to open the airway; breathing is resumed, often with a loud snort or gasp. Frequent arousals, although necessary for breathing to restart, prevent the patient from getting enough restorative, deep sleep.

For many cases of sleep apnea sickness, treatment often consists of avoiding sleeping on one’s back, even if you’re wearing a mask. To help aid in a comfortable sleep choose a pillow that allows you to sleep on your side, one that elevates your head and neck allowing your airway passage to open properly while sleeping. Using a sleep apnea pillow is an unconventional, but beneficial and inexpensive sleep apnea treatment.