subject: Causes Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea [print this page] Since Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the most common form of apnea that people suffer from, it's a good idea for everyone to know exactly what symptoms to look for as well as what causes the condition and how it can be treated in case you, or someone in your family, develop the problem.
The fact is, sleep apnea can KILL YOU eventually. And I'm not just talking about the much higher chance that you'll be in a car crash if you have apnea (although that's definitely a factor). As stated by Dr. Michael J. Twery, director of the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research.
Sleep Apnea is not a condition that kills you acutely, but rather a condition that erodes your health over time and it has been proven to lead to a long list of nasty diseases.
What Causes Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
There are a number of different factors that can obstruct your airway while you're sleeping and bring on episodes of Obstructive Apnea. You might have muscles in your tongue and throat that shrink too much when your body relaxes in sleep allowing them to block the function of your airway. In addition, if you are overweight, your airway can be obstructed by the soft tissue in your throat becoming larger and stiffer. If your adenoids or tonsils become enlarged, that, too, can disrupt your airflow.
What are the Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Waking because you're choking and having problems breathing and snoring are very common symptoms of Obstructive Apnea. Being very sleepy during daytime hours can also be a sign that your sleep is being disrupted. With this form of of the condition you can lose the ability to concentrate, suffer from dry mouth, wake with headaches, experience a rapid weight gain, or have lethargy, high blood pressure, and possibly depression.
What Treatment is Available for Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
There are things that you can do to prevent or halt the progression of Obstructive Apnea even if you haven't yet seen a doctor about the condition. The solution to the problem might be as easy as losing weight, changing your sleep position, or eliminating alcohol from your evening routine. In more severe cases, medical treatments may be needed, however.
Some of the more common medical procedures used to treat apnea include Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), Oxygen Administration, and surgeries such as a Tracheostomy.
If you have reason to believe that you might have sleep apnea and are exhibiting the symptoms outlined above, never put off going to a doctor thinking you can treat the problem yourself.
A visit to your doctor will perhaps send you to a Sleep Clinic for one evening to confirm the condition and its causes so that you can follow the right mode of treatment for a speedy recovery.
