Are You Suffering from Sleep Apnea
After a long day of work there are few things that can be more enjoyable than getting a good night’s rest. For most of us sleep can be just the trick to cure the stress that can come about from all the hustle and bustle of the long day, but for some that have to deal with the problems of sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, sleep is not always a reprieve and can many times not end up being very restful at all. Sleep apnea affects about 18 million Americans every year and can lead to other health complications such as heart issues, impaired brain function and constant fatigue. Sleep apnea at it’s worst can actually be fatal. For those that have issues with asthma, sleep apnea can be almost fifty times more likely to have severe ramifications. According to certain studies almost 38,000 Americans die from cardiovascular issues that can be directly correlated to sleep apnea and other obstructed breathing disorders. Unfortunately many Americans, may be unaware of the fact that they actually suffer from sleep apnea. Those with undiagnosed cases of sleep apnea are four times more likely than others to suffer from strokes. Luckily there are options and sleep apnea products for people that experience obstructed air passages during sleep.
What is Sleep Apnea
One of the most distinctive aspects of sleep apnea is that because of the fact that those that suffer from it are usually asleep they may not know that they actually suffer from it. Sleep apnea is a major disorder that happens when a persons breathing while sleep is interrupted. While regular people breath at a normal rate during their sleep cycle, those that suffer from sleep apnea stop breathing several times during their night of sleeping. This can usually occurs hundreds of times throughout the night. This can lead to the brain not getting enough oxygen which can lead to entire being effected by a lack of oxygen. There are generally two major types of sleep apnea, obstructive and central.
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common and occurs when there is some manner of blockage in the airway, hence the name. The most common cause of this is tissue in the breathing passage that relaxes and blocks the airway during sleep. The other type of sleep apnea is central. Central sleep apnea unlike unlike obstructive is not necessarily due to blocked air passages. Central sleep apnea occurs when there are issues with the brain signally the body. The brain is unable to send signals to the body to breath because of a lack of signals to the respiratory center.
What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Since sleep apnea is so insidious it is very important to keep in mind the symptoms that may occur in the morning. While many people might consider snoring nothing more than an annoyance, loud snoring is actually a very common symptom of those that suffer from sleep apnea. Loud snoring usually occurs right after or before interrupted breathing. Another common symptom is waking up in the mornings feeling unrested and having a raw or sore throat. If you wake up during the night with a feeling that you are choking or gasping, this is another symptom that accompanies sleep apnea. The only sure fire way to find if you are suffering from sleep apnea is to go to the doctor and go through sleep observation. The most common treatment for sleep apnea is to be prescribed one of many varieties of cpap machines. It is important that if you a prescribed a cpap machine you use it regularly. It is also important to understand the importance of cleaning a cpap machine.
Caring for and Cleaning a CPAP Machine
A cpap machine can make all the difference when it comes to getting a good nights sleep, but it is important to understand importance of maintaining and cleaning a cpap machine. Cleaning a cpap machine isn’t hard, but is important to insure its proper operation and your health. Regularly clean the inside and the cpap hoses and masks with warm soapy water and allow them to dry. Always use sterile water to refill it.
For more information on sleep apnea and cpap machines consult your physician.
