Apnea, or ‘Apnoea’, is a technical term for suspension of breathing. An apnea event is defined as a breath cessation for a minimum of 10 minutes, with a neurological arousal and/or a blood oxygen desaturation of three to four or greater. Sleep apnea is a breath disorder during sleep which may cause serious consequences such as heart failure.
There are three types of sleep apnea are central sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea and complex sleep apnea (the combination of the two types). Central sleep apnea is caused by the imbalance of brain respiratory control center, while obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the obstruction of airway by decreased muscle tone or increased soft tissue around the airway (e.g. obesity or aging). Obstructive sleep apnea makes up about 84% of sleep apnea cases; the complex sleep apnea makes up about 15% and the central sleep apnea makes up 0.4%. [1]
The symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea commonly include loud snoring, restless sleep, and sleepiness during the daytime. The treatment of this type of sleep apnea is usually the use of breathing treatments, such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). Other habits that contribute to symptoms of sleep apnea is smoking, drinking alcohol, or losing large amounts of weight.
Due to the drop of oxygen level and increase of carbon dioxide level during sleep, hypoxia and hypercapnia are usually the results of central sleep apnea. Consequently, hypoxia and hypercapnia have effects on human body and could result in more serious health issues, angina, arrhythmias, heart attacks or at worst sudden death. [2]
Diagnostic tests of sleep apnea include home oximetry or polysomnograph readings in a sleep clinic. Oximeters that measures blood oxygen levels are a necessary device to measure normal stats in a person’s body while their asleep. According to the results of a study published in the Jan. 15 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine.
“The practical purpose of diagnostic assessment in most cases of obstructive sleep apnea is to predict which patients have symptoms that will improve on treatment. Portable monitors record primarily oxygen saturation, can be used at home without supervision, and are cheaper [than polysomnography].”
OctiveTech oximeters offer a flexible and affordable way for sleep apnea sufferers and their doctors to monitor their blood saturation during sleep. We especially recommend the handhelds that alarm at a certain low blood oxygen concentration.
References: [1] Mayo Clinic Discovers New Type Of Sleep Apnea, ScienceDaily, 2006 [2] Sleep apnea, Wikipedia
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Millions and millions of Americans suffer from sleep apnea, a stoppage of breathing while sleeping that is characterized by loud gasps, physical struggles, and morning headaches as well as tremendous feelings of fatigue and sleepiness during the day.
Though there are many different cures for sleep apnea, most people can find a huge amount of relief through the use of sleep apnea masks. They are called C-PAP masks that stand for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure mask. Do not misunderstand; it is not the mask itself that cures sleep apnea. It is important to note that the mask is linked by a lightweight air hose to a machine which makes continuous air that the sleeper is so direly in need of.
How this works is that the machine blows gentle air into the nose or mouth of the person wearing the mask. There is just enough air coming through that it keeps the patient’s throat from falling into a downward position that had previously hampered the facility of the patient to breathe.
People look at the masks and immediately assume that there is no way they will ever be able to sleep wearing such a thing. Quite the opposite is true, as most people have said that they’ve never slept so well as they have since acquiring a C-PAP machine.
Sleep apnea masks come in a variety of types, headgear, sizes and designs. Some are purely oral-air-delivery masks, some nasal-air-delivery masks and some a combination of both oral and nasal-air-delivery systems.
The goal of each mask is to obtain perfect fit, sure delivery of air, all while keeping the person comfortable enough to sleep. Soft silicone gels and seals provide comfort. There are even masks that do not even require headgear. Or you may be introduced to nasal pillows that allow the air to come through solely your nose while using a mask.
The machines themselves sometimes come integrated with heated humidifiers, are easy to transport for travel, and have settings chosen by your doctor that are individualized to especially serve your needs.
New technology has been applied to the standard C-PAP machine. There is now have a BiPAP machine. BiPAP is the abbreviation for Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure. It actually allows the constant air to be interrupted when the patient breathes out, and that is why it is referred to as Bi-level. This means that you now no longer need to exhale against the constant air pressure.
Those who suffer from other breathing problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, find that the Bi-PAP is more than helpful to them. Also, patients who suffer from neuromuscular diseases find it is much easier to use a Bi-PAP than a C-PAP. Those decisions for Bi-PAPs as opposed to C-PAPs are, of course, also made by your doctor or sleep therapist for you.
If you suffer from congenital heart disease, you may find that having sleep apnea was the cause of it, or partially the cause. You will perhaps discover that either a C-PAP or sleep apnea masks are just the answer you have sought for many years of restless sleep, night sweats, heart palpitations and feeling as if you do not receive the restful sleep you seek.
To learn much more about What Is Sleep Apnea, visit http://www.SleepApneaMadeSimple.com Dianna Yvonne Smith is a consultant and expert in several areas of internet marketing. She has published articles and e-books in the family, home, fitness, business and cooking categories.
Sleep Apnea is a disorder that commonly affects more than 12 million people in the United States. While the exact cause of remains unclear, what’s known is that the site of obstruction in most patients is the soft palate, including the area at the base of the tongue.
During the day, muscles in the region keep the passage open and clear; but since there’s no bone or cartilage in this area to hold the airway open, when a person with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) falls asleep, the muscles relax and the airway collapses.
Besides interrupting sleep and causing disorientation and “fogginess” during the waking hours, the dangers to overall health are many.
The primary risk factors for OSA are:
Excessive Weight – The accumulation of fat on the sides of the upper airway cause it to become narrow and predisposed to closure when the muscles relax.
Age – Loss of muscle mass is a common consequence of the aging process, leaving the airway narrow and soft. Men have a greater risk for OSA.
Male Hormones – Testosterone can cause structural changes in the upper airway.
Other risk factors include: A receding chin… Enlarged tonsils and adenoids… Use of drugs that affect the Central Nervous System (CNS) such as alcohol, tranquilizers, etc. … Smoking … Chronic nasal congestion… and several syndromes such as hypothyroidism, post-polio syndrome, neuromuscular disorders, Marfan’s syndrome, and Down syndrome, to name a few. Although to date there is no hard data to confirm this theory, it’s also believed that there’s a genetic factor involved.
The signs and symptoms of OSA are many and varied and many are not overtly medical. (For example, non-restorative sleep leads to such things as car accidents, bad moods, memory problems, depression and even impotence.)
Some common signs that you may have OSA are:
Loud Snoring – This is perhaps the most common sign that a person’s airway is obstructed, and the complaint that initially brings many undiagnosed OSA patients to their doctors for help. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but if other signs are present, as well, it’s a distinct possibility.
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness – Some people with OSA fall asleep while reading or watching TV. Others experience powerful urges to doze off even in a stimulating environment, such as while driving or during business meetings – even while having sex!
Unrefreshing Sleep – Many OSA patients complain of waking up feeling as if they had been awake all night (usually, they have been, in fact). Then, if they try to refresh themselves with a nap, they usually feel worse after napping than they did before.
Drowsiness While Driving – Statistics show that many car accidents are caused by drivers either nodding off at the wheel or else being too sleepy to be alert.
Morning Headaches – Frequent, unexplained headaches are a common sign of OSA.
Frequent Nighttime Urination – Getting up to use the bathroom several times a night may be caused by an apneic event.
If your doctor does diagnose OSA, then you’ll be relieved to know that a CPAP sleep apnea machine will give you relief and protection as soon as you start using it.
Don’t spend one more night at risk from the frustrating, annoying side effects – and very real dangers of Sleep Apnea! A CPAP sleep apnea machine from Kelly’s Medical will put your body and your mind at ease. Kelly’s Medical, http://www.kellysmedical.com/, is fully stocked with a complete line of home health care equipment.
The most common kind of sleep apnea is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. Sleep apnea means “cessation of breath.” It is characterized by repetitive episodes of upper airway obstruction that occur during sleep, usually associated with a reduction in blood oxygen saturation. In other words, the airway becomes obstructed at several possible sites. The upper airway can be obstructed by excess tissue in the airway, large tonsils, and a large tongue and usually includes the airway muscles relaxing and collapsing when asleep. Another site of obstruction can be the nasal passages.
Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by a reduction or cessation (pause of breathing, airflow) during sleep. It is common among adults but rare among children. There are two types of sleep apnea, the more common obstructive sleep apnea and the less common central sleep apnea, both of which will be described later in this article.
Behavioral changes
Behavioral changes are an important part of the treatment program, and in mild cases behavioral therapy may be all that is needed. The individual should avoid the use of alcohol, tobacco, and sleeping pills, which make the airway more likely to collapse during sleep and prolong the apneic periods. Overweight persons can benefit from losing weight. Even a 10 percent weight loss can reduce the number of apneic events for most patients. In some patients with mild sleep apnea, breathing pauses occur only when they sleep on their backs. In such cases, using pillows and other devices that help them sleep in a side position is often helpful.
Weight loss
Sleep apnea can be weight-related. Additional fat around the neck may make the airway narrower, making obstructions more likely to occur. For some overweight people, especially those with mild cases, losing weight can be an effective treatment. Or weight loss may reduce the severity of the sleep apnea. However, it may be hard to lose weight when you have untreated sleep apnea: you may be too tired to exercise and you may eat to stay awake. Also, it may take some time before the weight loss is achieved, so in light of the potential consequences of untreated OSA, using another treatment option while working towards the weight loss goal may be an option.
Pressure requirements
The optimal pressure to use in CPAP therapy is determined in a sleep laboratory study, during which the degree of apnea is monitored with various mask adjustments and increasing levels of air pressure. Pressures are measured in centimeters of water and can vary from 3 to 20 cm, with most patients requiring 6 to 12 cm of pressure to reduce their respiratory disturbance index to fewer than 10 events per hour.
Sleep on your side
People who experience sleep apnea only when they sleep on their backs can benefit from special pillows or folk remedies that encourage side-sleeping, such as the “tennis ball trick” (putting a tennis ball under you to make back-sleeping uncomfortable).
Pulse oximetry
Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive method which allows health care providers to monitor the oxygenation of a patient’s blood. A sensor is placed on a relatively thin part of the patient’s anatomy, usually a fingertip or earlobe, and red and infrared light is passed from one side to the other. Based upon the ratio of absorption of the red and infrared light caused by the difference in color between oxygen-bound (red) and unbound (blue) hemoglobin in the capillary bed, an approximation of oxygena.
Oral appliances
Another option is wearing an oral appliance designed to keep your throat open. CPAP is more effective than oral appliances, but oral appliances may be easier for you to use. Some are designed to open your throat by bringing your jaw forward, which can sometimes relieve snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea.
Most sleep apnea patients have heard that CPAP machines can help them breathe better at night, but not everyone understands enough about sleep apnea and sleep apnea machines to make an informed decision about treatment.
For example, many patients are unaware that there are actually three types of sleep apnea: Obstructive, Central, and Mixed Sleep Apnea. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the most common of the conditions, and occurs when the airway is obstructed (blocked), thus interrupting breathing. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including obesity, smoking, enlarged tonsils or tongue, and more. Conversely, Central Sleep Apnea is primarily a neurological issue, occurring when the brain does not properly regulate breathing patterns during sleep. Mixed Sleep Apnea describes patients suffering from both the Central and Obstructive conditions.
Doctors advise most Obstructive Sleep Apnea patients to improve their breathing at night by using sleep apnea masks and machines, which also come in three types: CPAP, BiPAP and APAP. CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machines, help patients inhale by creating a steady stream of air. Prescribed for more several cases of apnea, BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) machines support both inhaling and exhaling by alternating between two pressure settings. Last, APAP (Automatic Positive Airway Pressure) machines automatically adjust the level of pressure based on the amount of resistance in the patient’s most recent breaths.
These treatment options might seem confusing, but they are worth exploring, as sleep apnea machines can help patients live happier, healthier lives. For one thing, the restless and unsatisfying sleep caused by apnea can often lead to mood swings, trouble concentrating, and fatigue during the daytime, which can effect everything from workplace interactions to time with the family. Even more seriously, a lack of oxygen to the lungs heightens the risk of number of health disorders, including stroke, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and cardiac arrhythmia.
Fortunately, continual strides in the development of Respironics CPAP masks and machines have made these devices much more appealing to patients than they once were. Two common problems associated with old CPAP products are noise level and irritation, but both of these problems have been all but eradicated in the modern age; CPAP machines have been manufactured to run quietly, in addition to having the capacity to connect to humidifiers, which fight dry irritation. Some machines even come with built-in humidifiers.
Additionally, many patients used to complain that their sleep apnea machines were uncomfortable, but most manufacturers now offer a variety of options for every face shape and set of preferences. You can find a Respironics CPAP mask with built-in padding, for instance, with coverage for the mouth, nose, or both. Many patients even customize their masks with sleep apnea accessories, including cloth mask liners, which help lock CPAP air in while decreasing irritation to the skin. Flexible chin traps are also popular, as these encourage the mouth to stay closed at night to prevent mouth-breathing.
At www.CPAPMART.com you’ll be able to find the best sleep apnea machines, respironics CPAP, sleep apnea masks, respironics CPAP mask and accessories and sleep tight, all night.
Efforts to discover what causes sleep apnea have been intense, and although the actual cause may not have been identified, researchers have discovered that sleep apnea (sleep apnoea) health problems can be serious.
There are several major risk factors for heart disease such as obesity, alcohol abuse, and smoking, but you might be surprised to find out that sleep apnea is also a major risk factor. Combine any of these factors, and the risk doubles for serious sleep apnoea health problems. For example, if you are obese and you suffer from sleep apnea, then your risk of heart problems increases.
If your sleep apnea is treated with a device such as CPAP, you reduce or even eliminate your risks. However, if you do not seek treatment when your breathing stops during an apnea attack, the levels of carbon dioxide in your blood increase while the levels of oxygen drop off. This effect causes a variety of chemical and physical events to occur that can increase your risk for heart problems.
Sleep apnoea health problems increase the longer the apnea remains untreated. This problem will decrease the levels of gas nitric oxide in the blood, which is an important substance for heart health. The reduced levels raise the risk of heart problems.
Apnea also increases the angiotensin converting enzyme, which plays a role in congestive heart failure and high blood pressure. High levels of this enzyme exacerbate your sleep apnoea health problems. Other chemical changes involved also increase your risk for heart problems.
There is still much research needed to define just how all of these changes affect the heart and just how serious the impact is to the health of your heart. With treatments available, why take the risk? Why not use a sleep apnea device like CPAP?
Studies have made direct correlations with the following sleep apnoea health problems. If you suffer from sleep apnea, consider these risks if you choose to ignore using one of the sleep apnea device treatments.
High Blood Pressure – Several studies have correlated sleep apnoea with high blood pressure. A study conducted in 2004 for sleep apnea health problems found that the more apnea episodes you had in the first year, the more likely you were to have high blood pressure by the time year four came around.
Blood pressure will have wide fluctuations in response to the apnea episode. These fluctuations might be a result of the sympathetic nervous system sudden surge. It’s these fluctuations, which lead to the blood vessels constricting, and over time, this leads to high blood pressure and the possibility of heart damage.
Effective treatments like the CPAP sleep apnea device allow your airways to remain open, which means your blood pressure will be lowered. Only partial reduction of sleep apnoea does not have the positive effective. It must be a substantial reduction.
Of the many sleep apnea health problems, coronary artery disease and heart attack are the two most serious. Studies have confirmed that the more apnea episodes you have the higher your risk of heart attack, stroke, and coronary artery disease. This is especially true in older adults. Do you still want to ignore treatment such as CPAP?
If you have sleep apnoea, you double your risk for stroke. The worse the episodes, the greater the risk you face. Severe sleep apnoea can triple your risk of stroke. And stroke sufferers with sleep apnea have symptoms that are worse, such as poor speech response, depression, delirium, and difficulty with daily activities. Another good reason to use a sleep apnea device is to reduce your risk of developing sleep apnoea health problems.
37% of all heart failure patience had sleep apnea, and if you have existing congestive heart failure with sleep apnoea, your risk of death goes up.
Other sleep apnoea health problems that have been directly linked to sleep apnea
* Peripheral nerve damage
* Asthma
* Diabetes
* Kidney failure
* Eye disorders
* Liver damage
* Seizures
* Nerve disorders
* High-risk pregnancies
* Headaches
* Irregular menstrual periods
Now that you know just a few of the sleep apnoea health issues are you ready to seek treatment?
The quality of your sleep has an immediate effect on your daily health. Visit Kelly’s Medical Equipment & Supply at http://www.kellysmedical.com to get more information on sleep apnea and the CPAP device for treatment. Kelly’s Medical wants to help you sleep for better health and better living.
Whilst sleep apnea is a very serious and progressive disorder, it is also highly treatable in a variety of different ways. How sleep apnea is treated depends entirely on the cause and type of sleep apnea.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is by nature an obstruction within the airways which inhibits breathing during sleep. For this type of sleep apnea cures may be available to some people, it all depends on what is causing the obstruction.
In the case of the clinically obese, the tissues of the airways can bulk out due to fat tissue, causing the air passage to become narrower making it harder for air to pass through. If an obese person lost as much of their weight as possible, their air passages would be much more open and they would breathe much easier.
Quitting smoking or drinking can also help some suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Smoking inflames the tissues of the airways causing narrowing, whilst alcohol is a depressant causing the muscles and tissues of the airways to relax and close.
One of the most bizarre treatments for some Obstructive Sleep Apnea sufferers is playing the Australian instrument the didgeridoo. Because of how the didgeridoo is played, over time the throat muscles and tissues tone up so aren’t so prone to collapsing during sleep. As strange as this treatment may be, it really is worth a shot as studies show it can drastically improve or even cure Obstructive Sleep Apnea in some.
Surgery may also be used to treat some Obstructive Sleep Apnea sufferers by surgically removing or reducing the obstruction thus widening the airways. Commonly, the tonsils or adenoids aren’t helping matters so are removed. Devices are also sometimes used which can force the lower jaw forward during sleep, thus opening the airways, whilst some devices may hold the tongue in place to prevent it from flopping back over the airways during sleep.
For other people, there are mechanical treatments such as sleeping whilst hooked up to a CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) system. This device works simply by keeping the airways open with air pressure.
Another tip for people suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea is to lie on your side during sleep. By lying on your back, the tissues of the throat and the tongue tend to collapse backwards causing obstruction. Lying on your side this doesn’t happen so much. Remembering this whilst you are awake and reading is one thing, but you are still likely to end up lying on your back at some point during sleep. For this there is another bizarre yet extremely effective tactic you can employ. If you have pyjama trousers with back pockets you can put a tennis ball inside each pocket. Now, if during the course of sleep you attempt to lie on your back, you will find this uncomfortable and instinctively manoeuvre to lie on your side again.
If you don’t have these kinds of pyjamas, you can always modify some you do have to accommodate a tennis ball or two.
If the cause of obstruction can be identified, then the suitable form of treatment can be provided.
Central Sleep Apnea isn’t a physical obstruction, but a glitch in the brains signals which result in the lungs not been given the instruction to breathe from time to time. A person may go for seconds or even a few minutes without drawing breath. Unfortunately, as this is a neurological issue, there is no permanent fix CPAP may sometimes be used to treat Central Sleep Apnea, although depending on the individual, a person will usually be put on a course of prescribed drugs which they may respond extremely well to.
Detailed information about sleep apnea is available at http://www.sleep-apnea.org.uk
Do you snore so loud your spouse swears if you snored any louder, you’d set the car alarms off? Do you wake up the next day feeling like a truck had run you over in your sleep? You could be in dire need of sleep apnea treatment, without your knowing it. This article explains what the condition is, why you would need sleep apnea treatment if you suffer from it, and why you may need to use CPAP and CPAP masks in Toronto (or anywhere else, for that matter).
Sleep, Breathing, and You
Sleep apnea is a serious sleeping disorder wherein your breathing stops and then starts again at various turns. There are two main types – obstructive and central. Under the obstructive type, you stop breathing when your throat muscles relax. Under the central type, you stop breathing because your brain fails to send the right signals to the muscles which control your breathing. But when you stop breathing for either reasons, you have what is known as the complex type, which combines both types.
Sleep Apnea Therapies
If your condition is mild, your doctor may simply recommend a change in lifestyle. You’ll be asked to lose weight, for example, or quit smoking. If, on the other hand, your condition is classified as moderate or severe, your doctor will recommend a number of treatments for you, among them the reputable Respironics masks in Toronto. Here are two of the most common sleep apnea treatment devices that may come handy to you.
CPAP – This machine allows air pressure to be delivered to your lungs via a mask that is placed atop your nose. What the air pressure does is keep your airway passages open while you sleep. The CPAP is the most used and best liked sleep apnea treatment. However, don’t buy the first one you find. Try different masks so you’ll find the most comfortable for you. Note, though, that even if you’re already using the CPAP as your sleep apnea treatment, you’ll need to check in with your doctor every now and then. This is because when your weight changes, so should the pressure settings.
BiPAP – If you’ve used CPAP to no result, you may want to try BiPAPs instead. BiPAPs supply bilevel positive airway pressure. What this means is that first, the machine adjusts the pressure automatically, while you’re asleep, and second, you’re provided less pressure when you exhale and more when you inhale.
Go Under the Knife?
While it’s true there are many remedies for the sleeping disorder, there are those who choose to undergo surgery, to have the excess tissue removed from their throat or nose. This tissue usually blocks their upper air passages or vibrates excessively, causing people to snore.
So, which treatment is best for you? That’s a decision only you and your doctor can make. Just be sure to choose the treatment that is fully cleared by the Food and Drug Administration.
CPAP Clinic – healthcare at your home
We serve Greater Toronto Area in Canada.
Contact: 1-877-430-CPAP(2727) or info@CPAPClinic.ca
I’m a teen and I have mild sleep apnea. Is a CPAP machine effective and is it really loud? I share I room and I don’t want it disturbing anyone. Is there anything I can do that will help me?