Sleep Apnea Treatment and Symptoms Apnea; Apnea, Sleep
Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which breathing stops during sleep for 10 seconds or more, sometimes more than 300 times a night. The hallmark of the disorder is excessive daytime sleepiness and compromised quality of life, including significant social and emotional problems. There are two main types of sleep apnea. ''Obstructive sleep apnea'' may represent cessation of breathing due to mechanical blockage of the airway; ''central sleep apnea'' appears to be related to a malfunction of the brain''s normal signal to breathe. Symptoms of sleep apnea may include restless sleep, loud, heavy snoring (often interrupted by silence and then gasps), falling asleep while driving and/or during the day (at work, watching TV, etc.), morning headaches, loss of energy, trouble concentrating, irritability, forgetfulness, mood or behavior changes, anxiety or depression, obesity, and decreased interest in sex. Not all people with sleep apnea experience all of these symptoms and not everyone who has these symptoms has sleep apnea. However, it is recommended that people who are experiencing even a few of these symptoms visit their physician for evaluation. Prompt and proper diagnosis of sleep apnea is an important first step to treating the disorder. Problems associated with untreated sleep apnea include hypertension, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, psychiatric problems, impotence, cognitive dysfunction, memory loss, and death.
Sleep apnea (alternatively sleep apnoea) is a common sleep disorder charac ...
From the WEST scientific·clinical |
From the EAST traditional·alternative |
Most people with sleep apnea have obstructive apnea, in which the person stops breathing during sleep due to airway blockage. Sufferers usually resume breathing within a few seconds, but periods of as long as sixty seconds are not uncommon in serious cases. It is more common amongst people who snore, who are obese, who consume alcohol, or who have anatomical abnormalities of the jaw or soft palate.
|
While there are several natural remedies for sleep apnea, the specific approach depends on the cause. Aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy, yoga, and relaxation techniques have all been shown to help with sleep disorders. Natural remedies, combined with improvements in lifestyle, may improve your sleep.
|
Related Treatments |
Related Treatments |
Related Medications |
|
Related Other Topics |
Related Other Topics |
Sleep Apnea Symptoms1-2 of 5 more...
Signs and symptoms
... The signs and symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apnea overlap, sometimes making the type of sleep apnea more difficult to determine. The most common signs and symptoms of obstructive and centr...
Source: MayoClinic
Causes ... Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax. These muscles support the soft palate, uvula, tonsils and tongue. When the muscles relax, your airway is narrowed or c...
Source: MayoClinic
Sleep Apnea Treatment1-2 of 3 more...
Complications
... Sleep apnea is considered a serious medical condition. Complications may include: Cardiovascular problems. Sudden drops in blood oxygen levels that occur during sleep apnea increase blood pressure and...
Source: MayoClinic
Treatment ... Sleep apnea rarely goes away on its own. A number of treatments are available. For obstructive sleep apnea, certain devices can help open up a blocked airway. In other cases, surgery may be necessary....
Source: MayoClinic
Sleep Apnea Support1 of 1
Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep
... Do you ever feel sleepy or "zone out" during the day? Do you find it hard to wake up on Monday mornings? If so, you are familiar with the powerful need for sleep. However, you may not realiz...
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Sleep Apnea Other1-2 of 8 more...
Common Sleep Disorders: An Overview
... What are sleep disorders and how common are they? Sleep disorders are conditions that prevent a person from getting restful sleep and, as a result, can cause daytime sleepiness and dysfunction. There ...
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Sleep Apnea ... What is sleep apnea? Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person’s breathing is interrupted during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their...
Source: Cleveland Clinic
|
Sleep Apnea Treatment1 of 1
Treating Sleep Apnea with Alternative Treatments
... Sleep Sleep Apnea Alternative and Complementary Treatments for Sleep Apnea Many of the complementary therapies mentioned in for Insomnia are also useful as complementary therapies for sleep apnea. and...
Source: Holistic Online
|
Sleep Apnea Articles
- Hypersomnia Information Page
... Hypersomnia is characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive daytime sleepiness or prolonged nighttime sleep. Different from feeling tired due to lack of or interrupted sleep at night, persons with... - Sleep Apnea
... In sleep apnea, your breathing stops or gets very shallow while you are sleeping. Each pause typically lasts 10-20 seconds or more. These pauses can occur 20 to 30 times or more an hour. The most comm... - Sleep Apnea Information Page
... Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which breathing stops during sleep for 10 seconds or more, sometimes more than 300 times a night. The hallmark of the disorder is excessive daytime sleepiness and c...
Resources
- 'White Coat Hypertension' Common Among Sleep Apnea Patients (American College of Chest Physicians)
- AASM -- Accredited Member Centers and Laboratories: Find a Sleep Center (American Academy of Sleep Medicine)