29 unusual signs and symptoms that you may be suffering from sleep apnea

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We hear about it in the news. With the increasing obesity level in the US (although that’s certainly not the only cause), per capita rates of apnea suffers are on the rise.

So, what IS Sleep Apnea?

Early warning signs of sleep apneaSleep apnea is a disorder which causes respiration to stop when a person is sleeping. A person suffering from sleep apnea will stop breathing from 10 seconds up to a few minutes. These pauses in breathing can take place up to 30 times in one hour.

After one of these cessations of respiration, the patient will start breathing normally again, often with a snoring sound. Sleep apnea is a common disorder. According to studies more than 13 million Americans suffer from this condition. The patients are mostly men or people who are overweight.

Sleep apnea can manifest itself in two forms: Obstructive apnea and central apnea. Where central apnea is rare, obstructive apnea is the most common type. With this type of apnea something blocks the windpipe, causing the stop or blockage of air coming into the throat.

Though sleep apnea is a serious condition, it should be noted that it does not form a threat in the sense that it will not cause choking. Because of the lack of oxygen, the brain sends off a signal to the body. The patient will sleep lighter or even wake up. The throat relaxes, which allows the patient to breath normally again until the following apnea occurs.

Due to all the apneas, the quality of sleep for people suffering from this condition is very poor. Sleep apnea causes sleepiness during the daytime and also fatigue. This results in the patient falling asleep during day to day activities such as reading the newspaper or even driving.

Other problems which result from sleep apnea are a lowered concentration and high blood pressure. The patient’s body and mind do not recover properly during the night-time which has the effect of shortening the patient’s life span.

Also, sleep apnea does not only influence the patient’s rest, but also the rest and sleep of the partner. Constant snoring and waking up can cause the significant other to also suffer from bad sleeping patterns.

Early Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea occurs during sleep, which means your Significant Other will notice the symptoms first. The most common symptoms are snoring or sleepiness during the daytime and even falling asleep during normal activities such as eating or driving. Other symptoms are:

  • Lowered concentration and learning difficulties
  • Excessive fatigue
  • Having headaches for a longer period of time. Most patients who suffer from sleep apnea claim having headaches.
  • Heartburn
  • For larger people, swollen legs are a common symptom
  • Need to urinate during sleep
  • Excessive sweating during sleep
  • Cramped feeling in the chest area
  • Excessive snoring. However, this does not always have to be a symptom of sleep apnea.
  • Choking sounds during sleep
  • Gasping for air
  • Restlessness
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Lowered sexual functions
  • Depression or agressiveness
  • Sudden weight gain – especially a large amount

Older men and women have periods of cessation of respiration. This is normal, but makes it difficult to diagnose if they have sleep apnea.

Nevertheless, all the symptoms of sleep apnea are harmful to the patient’s health and rest. When experiencing any or a number of these symptoms or consider any of the range of sleep apnea treatments, consider seeing a doctor.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

The most common type of sleep apnea (obstructive sleep apnea) is caused by a blockage or even by a narrowed airway in the throat or oral area. During sleep, the muscles of the throat or tongue relax to such a degree that they cause a blockage in the airway. For a certain period of time breathing stops and the amount of oxygen in the blood is reduced.

Moreover, people who have enlarged tissues, such as enlarged tonsils, in their oral area are also prone to sleep apnea. During sleep, the tonsils push the airway, which causes the airway to narrow.

However, there are also other causes and risk factors for sleep apnea:

  • Being overweight. People who suffer from obesity have an increased chance of suffering from sleep apnea. Fatty cells are known to narrow the airway. If your sleep apnea is caused by obesity, consider the fact that there is an interplay between these two conditions, as a person who is tired tends to be less active. This in itself causes obesity.
  • Alcohol or any other substance abuse. Alcohol and other drugs influence the brain, which stimulates respiration. This may cause relaxed breathing muscles and a blockage of the airways.
  • Mouth breathing. Breathing through one’s mouth may lead to certain structural abnormalities in the facial area. This may contribute to sleep apnea.
  • Medication. Certain medication which is used for emotional purposes is known to relax breathing muscles. Check with your doctor if you are taking any medication for allergies, depression or anxiety and have sleep apnea.
  • Asthma. Asthma is a potential cause of sleep apnea. Asthma cramps the airway, which may result in a blockage of the throat.
  • Acid reflux. Severe cases of acid reflux can cause heavy scar tissue in the throat. This repetitive scaring can cause obstructions in the airways.
  • Among these causes are also smokingstress and bad body posture. Often sleep apnea will dissappear if the patient makes a few lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and alcohol and losing weight.

Sleep Apnea Recovery Stories- Life after tracheostomy: One man’s successful fight with sleep apnea

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