Sleep Apnea and Snoring

It has been estimated that almost half of the population in the United States snores. The noisy, resonating sound rumbling from the back of the throat happens when the tongue and upper throat meet the soft palate and uvula. Snoring occurs when all these strike each other and vibrate. Socially, snoring can be annoying but medically, if snoring causes an obstruction it could be life threatening.

Obstructive sleep apnea comes from the Greek word "apnea" which means "without breath." It is the most common sleep disorder and affects more than 12 million people in the United States with the most common age being 35 and over. People with sleep apnea can literally stop breathing repeatedly over hundreds of times throughout the night. The usual occurrence of waking from sleep apnea can be between 20 to 100 times per night.

Causes

The main cause of sleep apnea appears to be excessive weight gain. As fat accumulates in the body, it causes the airways to become narrow and obstructed when the person lies down. Another cause of sleep apnea is age. As we get older we tend to loose muscle mass, which is often replaced by fat, which can obstruct the airways. Other factors that cause sleep apnea are:

Anatomic abnormalities
Enlarged tonsils
Use of alcohol
Sedative drugs
Smoking

Hypothyroidism
Neuromuscular disorders
Vocal cord paralysis
Nasal congestion

The most common complication of sleep apnea is sleep deprivation, which leads to a diminished quality of life. Some medical experts suggest that sleep apnea could lead to risk of heart attack or stroke. Other symptoms of sleep apnea include:

Hypertension
Cardiovascular disease
Memory problems
Weight gain
Impotency

Acid reflux
Headaches
Depression
Irritabilty

If snoring is costing you more than just your sleep, talk to your doctor about sleep apnea and the possible ways to correct it.

Treatment

Because excessive weight gain is the main culprit for sleep apnea, this disorder can often be corrected just by losing weight. The amount of weight a person needs to lose in order to treat sleep apnea varies. Besides surgery, there are other alternative treatments such as:

Positional therapy is changing the position during sleep. Most people who have sleep apnea say their symptoms are worse when lying flat on their back. Sleeping on your side can correct the obstructed airway.
Positive pressure therapy is an effective therapy for sleep apnea. Every person requires a different level of pressure to alleviate sleep apnea. A polysomnogram is used to detect a person's highest airway pressure, when they stop breathing and wake from an episode. The most commonly prescribed pressure therapy is Contiuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP).
A CPAP is a facial mask that is connected to a small air compressor. It sends air under pressure into the mask, which flows into the upper airways. A CPAP must be used on a nightly basis.
Oral devices are another treatment used for sleep apnea. Mouth guards that position the jaw and hold the tongue in place help to open the airways. This type of treatment is most effective in mild cases of sleep apnea.

Read one man's story of overcoming this serious disorder.

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