Snoring is something that a lot of people out there have been looking to avoid. It has caused disturbances to the happy sleepers from the beginning of times. Many terms snoring as more than an annoyance. It is understood that a lot of snorers take breaks in their breathing without realizing it. Sleep apnea is the cause of these issues. There are numerous cases of sleep apnea that are not yet diagnosed. There are a lot of things that you need to know about sleep apnea. The following are some of the key facts about sleep apnea you need to know about.
First and foremost, it is important to know the reasons behind sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition that is initiated by physical or nervous problems or both. You need also to know the categories of sleep apnea. One of them is obstructive sleep apnea. This comes as a result of the muscles of your airway relaxing and making your throat to narrow so air won’t flow in and out. This type of sleep apnea is the most predominant. The second type of sleep apnea is called central sleep apnea. This happens when the brain of the victim does not signal the body to breathe as it should. The third and the last is the mixed sleep apnea. This is a combination of the first and the second.
The second thing that you need to know about sleep apnea is to know the persons who are under the risk of this condition. This is a condition that is said to occur to persons of all ages but it is more common to the people who are aged above forty years. It is also more common in men and women who are postmenopausal. Being overweight can also make a person have sleep apnea and it is also known to be a condition that can happen in a family. There are some physical factors that can increase the risk of sleep apnea such as a constricted airway, a big tongue, tonsils or uvula.
It is also important to note how you can be affected by sleep apnea. If it is left untreated, sleep apnea can cause a host of problems to the victims. It can hinder mental function such as making decisions and remembrance. Lack of sleep also is another problem because it can lead to a depressed mood as well as attention problems. It can as well lead to lasting health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, stroke among others. There are some elderly people who have snored their whole lives without knowing that they have sleep apnea and they have suffered a lot in their health because of not being diagnosed. These people have a higher risk of getting a stroke. If you know a person who has a problem of snoring loudly, make sure you talk to the doctor because this could be sleep apnea.
You need also to know how sleep apnea can be treated. A mask known as continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP is the most used method of treating sleep apnea. This mask generates an exposed airway for air to run through. The pressure is augmented in the upper airway while the mask is worn making it stay open while the victim sleeps.