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vendredi 4 octobre 2013

Sleep Apnea Centers Offer Help To Patients

By Rhea Solomon


Sleep apnea is a medical condition that is associated with serious side effects. It causes an individual to experience interrupted breathing throughout the night. In many cases, the patient stops breathing on a continuous basis until he or she awakens for the day. Experts at sleep apnea centers have found that certain individuals unknowingly stop breathing as many as 200 times a night. Fortunately, the condition is treatable.

Obstructive and central are the two types of sleep apnea from which one can suffer. Obstructive is more commonly seen than central, but the side effects of both are equally as dangerous. The obstructive form of the condition is characterized by complete or partial blockage of the individual's upper respiratory airway. When breathing returns to normal, it is usually accompanied with a loud gasping sound or a sudden jerk of the person's body. This kind of apnea can be the result of numerous factors, including pulmonary disorders, sleeping in awkward positions, cardiac disease, deviated septum, asthma, allergies, and obesity.

With the central form of the condition, the obstruction is not in the person's upper respiratory tract, but rather this type is caused by the brain's failure to signal the appropriate muscles to complete a full respiration. This results in instability in the respiratory system. It is considered a disorder of one's nervous system, although the reason it occurs is not yet known.

Interestingly, the condition is more prevalent in males than females. Research indicates that the disorder afflicts one out of every ten women and one out of every four men. However, the reason for this is not yet known. It is especially common in obese individuals, and typically manifests for the first time after one has reached the age of 40.

The symptoms of this condition are typically noticed by other members of the household before the patient himself or herself realizes that the disorder is present. Loud snoring is one of the most common signs of the condition. Couples often report that the partner who is suffering from the condition jolts awake many times throughout the night, even though he or she may be unaware of the fact that this is occurring.

Patients may enjoy a good night sleep by using certain medical devices. These include equipment such as BPAP masks that are designed to prevent the person's airway from becoming obstructed while he or she is asleep. However, prior to treating the condition with such devices, medical evaluation is important.

In some instances, surgery can be completed to trim the soft palate, and ultimately lessen the severity of one symptoms. Whether or not this is an option will depend on the kind of sleep apnea one suffers from, as well as the patient's general health. There are also basic remedies for the condition, such as weight loss and positioning oneself properly upon retiring.

Heart arrhythmias and lack of oxygen to vital organs are 2 detrimental side effects associated with this sleeping disorder. Therefore, it is wise for patients to pursue help at sleep apnea centers where experts can evaluate their situation. Those who suspect they have the aforementioned condition should schedule a consultation with a medical doctor as soon as possible.




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