Millions of Americans suffer from the potentially deadly disorder known as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea affects men, women and children equally. There are several types of sleep apnea but the most common is obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is often accompanied by loud snoring which indicates a problem with the throat muscles. These muscles relax occasionally, cutting off one’s airway.
How The Disorder Becomes Dangerous
Relaxed throat muscles affect breathing for several seconds. This causes a build-up of carbon dioxide in the body. The brain can tell the body’s oxygen is low and sends a signal so the individual will awaken. Those with obstructive Sleep Apnea in Bethlehem PA may wake up as many as thirty times a night. Basically, the individual never gets enough rest. The worst-case scenario is that a person may not wake up.
Signs and Symptoms
There are several indicators of Sleep Apnea in Bethlehem PA. One of the most disturbing is when someone sees a loved one stop breathing. They may wake up gasping or choking. Other symptoms include a decreased libido, daytime drowsiness, sweating at night and high blood pressure. The snoring that results from sleep apnea is so loud that it awakens others.
Causes of Sleep Apnea
There are those who are born with a narrow airway and they are more susceptible to the disorder. Likewise, those with large tonsils and adenoids may have trouble breathing. Further, many patients are overweight and have extra fat around the airway. Physicians insist that patients have a sleep-study before treatment. The sleep study occurs at home or at a sleep center. The patient goes to sleep and heart, brain and lung activity are monitored.
Treatment
One of the most common treatments for sleep apnea is a CPAP machine. The CPAP machine is worn while one sleeps and sends air through the nose or mouth. Increased air pressure prevents episodes of sleep apnea. On the other hand, the physician may prescribe a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is worn at night and keeps the throat open. Surgery may be required if the condition is serious. The surgeon may remove one’s tonsils and adenoids along with some tissue. To learn more about this condition, visit us.
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