Sleep Apnea (also called Sleep Apnoea) is a common sleep disorder that is characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep, which force the sufferer to wake up to resume normal breathing, and disrupt and disturb their normal sleep cycle. These episodes, called apneas, usually last from a few seconds up to as long as sixty seconds in severe cases, and may occur repeatedly throughout the night.

Stopping breathing or shortness of breath causes sleep apnea. It is a very risky syndrome and if you feel you are suffering from this disorder you should immediately seek medical attention. It can be dangerous to not get proper attention for sleep apnea. If the problem persists and you are not getting any treatment, it could result in serious health hazards like heart attack, stroke, an irregular heart beat, impotency, high blood pressure and other heart related diseases.

When a person is suffering from sleep apnea, the upper airways become obstructed. They can be blocked by tissues, large tonsils, or a large tongue. The most common factor behind sleep apnea is the structure of jaw and airway.

Common symptoms of sleep apnea are extreme daytime sleepiness and recurring periods of interrupted breathing. There may be other symptoms of sleep apnea like loud snoring, headaches, being overweight, having high blood pressure and suffering from irritability or a change in personality.

Sleep apnea is dangerous, and it can be fatal in many cases. You should not ignore sleep apnea and get treatment immediately. Weight loss, surgery, dental appliances, and breathing assistance devices are various ways you can treat sleep apnea. The use of a breath assistance device is the most popular and most effective treatment of sleep apnea. These breathing assistance devices help in increasing the air pressure in the airways, which prevents the airways from collapsing. You have to wear this device in the form of a mask that has a small air blower connected through a pipe to the nose, and you must wear this mask when you go to sleep. There is also another type of device which will be useful for those whose tongue is the main source of obstruction. This device is a suction cup that is used to assist the teeth and tongue from closing the airway.

There are different types of surgeries available as treatment for sleep apnea. With surgery, the uvula, the dangling flesh at the back of your mouth, is eliminated and soft palate and pharynx are made tighter. There are also nasal surgeries which are used to improve sleep apnea. There are several jaw surgeries that can treat sleep apnea as they can help in reducing airway blockages.

It is definitely advisable that you seek professional treatment if you are suffering from sleep apnea. There are also several ways in which you can help yourself. If you are overweight, work towards losing some weight. Quitting smoking can help reduce instances of sleep apnea. You should eliminate all alcohol if possible since alcohol worsens sleep apnea. If you maintain a healthy lifestyle you can make living with “sleep apnea” easier.

About the Author:

Kathryn Whittaker has an interest in Health related topics. To find out how you can stop snoring without resorting to surgery please visit this Stop Snoring site.