Sleep apnea is when you knowledge 1 or far more pauses in breathing (apnea) or abnormally low or shallow breathing (hypopnea) although sleeping. These pauses could last for seconds or up to couple of minutes & might occur as couple of as 5 times to up to 30 times (or far more) within the duration of an hour. Sleep apnea statistics show approximately 20% adults are victims, however only 10% of these are diagnosed.
Despite the fact that a common disorder, it often goes undiagnosed due to the lack of recognizable symptoms. This is 1 of the reasons why many people who suffer from sleep apnea do not realize that they have this disorder. The lack of obvious symptoms & the truth that it occurs only during sleep, also makes it difficult for a doctor to detect it during routine examinations. A family member or bed partner would be most likely to recognize this condition, since an episode of sleep apnea may typically end with choking sound or a snort before normal breathing resumes.
Sleep apnea could be of three types: Obstructive, Central or Complex - which is a combination of the other two types.
Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form, is due to the collapse or blockage of the walls of soft tissue in the airway, at the level of the throat. Hence, 1 of the most evident signs of OSA is snoring caused by air squeezing through the narrow collapsed airway. OSA affects an estimated 4% of men & 2% of women, with men a lot more likely to develop this condition before the age of 50. The risk equalizes after age 50 & is much more common among obese individuals. 30 - 50% heart disease patients & 60% of stroke patients are noted to have OSA.
Central sleep apnea is the less common form & occurs when the imbalance in the brain stops it from sending signals or sends incorrect ones to the muscles that control breathing. This can be found in people who suffer from certain medical conditions or could be on some kind of medication. If it is not connected with any other disease, it is called Idiopathic central sleep apnea.
The most frequent complaint among people affected by any form of apnea is daytime sleepiness & fatigue. Sleep deprivation may possibly also lead to lack of concentration, increased chances of hypertension, poor reflexes & raised risk of accidents. An occurrence of apnea lowers the level of oxygen in the blood and in extreme instances, if the apnea is long enough to cause severe lack of oxygen, it might result in brain damage or even sudden death.
Sleep apnea can be detected by a polysomnography or 'sleep study'. A different is oximetry which measures the pulse rate & oxygen content in blood & analyzes the data for signs of reduction in blood oxygen levels. Once detected, there are numerous treatment methods including both surgical & non surgical options, however very couple of undergo treatment which is surprising considering the adverse effects this condition may have ... the least of which is a satisfying night's sleep!
Despite the fact that a common disorder, it often goes undiagnosed due to the lack of recognizable symptoms. This is 1 of the reasons why many people who suffer from sleep apnea do not realize that they have this disorder. The lack of obvious symptoms & the truth that it occurs only during sleep, also makes it difficult for a doctor to detect it during routine examinations. A family member or bed partner would be most likely to recognize this condition, since an episode of sleep apnea may typically end with choking sound or a snort before normal breathing resumes.
Sleep apnea could be of three types: Obstructive, Central or Complex - which is a combination of the other two types.
Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form, is due to the collapse or blockage of the walls of soft tissue in the airway, at the level of the throat. Hence, 1 of the most evident signs of OSA is snoring caused by air squeezing through the narrow collapsed airway. OSA affects an estimated 4% of men & 2% of women, with men a lot more likely to develop this condition before the age of 50. The risk equalizes after age 50 & is much more common among obese individuals. 30 - 50% heart disease patients & 60% of stroke patients are noted to have OSA.
Central sleep apnea is the less common form & occurs when the imbalance in the brain stops it from sending signals or sends incorrect ones to the muscles that control breathing. This can be found in people who suffer from certain medical conditions or could be on some kind of medication. If it is not connected with any other disease, it is called Idiopathic central sleep apnea.
The most frequent complaint among people affected by any form of apnea is daytime sleepiness & fatigue. Sleep deprivation may possibly also lead to lack of concentration, increased chances of hypertension, poor reflexes & raised risk of accidents. An occurrence of apnea lowers the level of oxygen in the blood and in extreme instances, if the apnea is long enough to cause severe lack of oxygen, it might result in brain damage or even sudden death.
Sleep apnea can be detected by a polysomnography or 'sleep study'. A different is oximetry which measures the pulse rate & oxygen content in blood & analyzes the data for signs of reduction in blood oxygen levels. Once detected, there are numerous treatment methods including both surgical & non surgical options, however very couple of undergo treatment which is surprising considering the adverse effects this condition may have ... the least of which is a satisfying night's sleep!
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This information is a general introduction to this subject and if you are looking for more information click Sleep Apnea Statistics or you will find further articles on this topic here Sleep Apnea Tests.
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