Sleep apnea is a disorder that prevents the body from getting a
sufficient amount of oxygen during sleep. During times of sleep,
the sleep apnea victim or patient literally stops breathing for
small periods of time, creating an extremely dangerous
situation. Over 12 million Americans have been diagnosed with
sleep apnea and that figure includes women, men, and children
though most of victims are older male adults. Sleep apnea is
also known as obstructive sleep apnea and it's the most common
form. Throat blockage, mostly from the tongue or palate, is what
gives obstructive sleep apnea its name - but it's only one form.
Two other forms are central sleep apnea and mixed sleep apnea.
CAUSES OF SLEEP APNEA
There are several causes, however tongue or palate blockage is
the main culprit. Basically, anything that prevents the lungs
from getting enough air to the brain is at fault, thus almost
all breathing problems have been blamed. From smoking and asthma
to being overweight to snoring, sleep apnea is now thought to
play a role in developing diabetes, heart attacks, and even
death. According to a recent study, 30% of sleep apnea victims
dies within four to five years after being diagnosed with one of
its most severe forms.
SLEEP APENEA TREATMENT
Most treatments for sleep apnea involve the CPAP machine
(continuous positive airway pressure). This machine works to
supply the body (lungs and brain) with enough oxygen while the
patient is sleeping. Some machines use nasal masks that cover
the mouth and nose to send air, while others use a
tube-connected mouth or nose piece to deliver air. The idea with
either method is to keep the airway open so that a patient gets
sufficient air through regular breathing.
Since the CPAP machine is a medical device, it requires a
prescription from a neurologist and an polysomnogram (sleep
study) examination.
Depending on the severity of the sleep apnea, a CPAP machine
may not be needed. Some people have found relieve through
natural methods simply by losing weight, cutting out certain
foods from a diet, reducing alcohol consumption, or even
avoiding certain medications under a doctor's advice. Others
have found help from the intake of specific vitamins and
minerals.
Ingesting vitamins and minerals without doctor consent can be
dangerous however since a recent report disclosed that taking
too many supplements (or the wrong ones) can cause problems
rather than relieve them. The best supplements to ask a doctor
about are the ones that stimulate circulation, reduce
cholesterol, regulate metabolism.
Herbal remedies should be avoided because they may interfere
with medications that a patient may already take. Herbs are a
form of medication themselves, and mixing them with prescribed
medications without proper knowledge of their effects is
extremely dangerous. Under no circumstance, should a patient
take a sleeping aid as a way to thwart sleep apnea. Sleeping
aids are designed to deepen sleep, while sleep apnea treatments
are designed to increase airflow. Both treatments solve
completely different problems.
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