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Sleep apnea is a disorder which comes in two forms: Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Central Sleep Apnea. Whilst they are very different, both cause the person to stop breathing during deep sleep. In a state of emergency, the brain recognises it is been starved of oxygen, and brings a person out of deep sleep in order to enable breathing again. This can happen repeatedly during sleep, and a person may stop breathing for either seconds or a couple of minutes before breathing begins again.
Because a person is been persistently kept from achieving the all important deep REM sleep, a person can wake up feeling tired both mentally and physically, and over time this can really takes its toll on a persons health.
In addition to the well known short term hazards which can arise from tiredness whilst been awake, some longer term health issues sleep apnea can cause are:
- Heart attacks / Strokes
- Irregular heart beat
- Heart disease
- Heart failure
- High blood pressure
- Arterial disease
- Weight gain / Obesity
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Sexual Dysfunction
Some sleep apnea treatments which are available are:
- Medication
- Breathing apparatus
- Surgery
- Behavioural and lifestyle alterations – this is discussed in far more detail here
In the case of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, there are many other things you can do which may well prove to be very effective for you. These sleep apnea treatments as well as the ones mentioned in this article are discussed in far more detail in our Sleep Apnea Treatment article.
Sleep apnea is a progressive disorder which if left untreated will worsen, as will the other effects on health therefore it is of utmost importance it is diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. |
