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Chances are that if you personally don’t snore, you know someone who does. And if you know a snorer, then you may very well have been disturbed by it. Snoring is a symptom of this disease, and according to the National Institutes of Health, this disease affects more than 12 million Americans. This a medical condition where an individual suffers from breathing irregularities during sleep due to blocked airways in the nose, mouth, or throat.
Figuring out that snoring is caused by blocked airways is easy enough. But there are far greater problems caused by this disease than obnoxious nightly sounds. Breathing problems associated with sleep apnea deprive oxygen to the body and brain, which can contribute to severe conditions such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, premature death, low blood-oxygen levels, and other conditions as well. All of a sudden snoring and this disease are much more than nighttime nuisances for bed partners. They’re risk factors for life-threatening illnesses.
Treatment
Thankfully, snoring and sleep apnea can be treated. Discovering the best treatment for this disease starts with discovering where the airway blockage starts. airways can be obstructed by a number of things including: poor alignment of the jaw, weak throat muscles, a long soft palate or uvula, blocked nasal passages, throat tissue buildup, or sleeping on one’s back.
There are treatments available that correct blocked airways. For example, dentists provide oral appliances that adjust airways to provide better breathing passages during sleep. These appliances mainly come as lower jaw or mandibular repositioning devices. These appliances are preferred for mild to moderate sleep apnea.
Oral appliances are very comfortable. There are many different kinds to suit the patient’s individual needs. These oral appliances help maximize sleep hours, promote long-term health, and keep bed partners from waking up from snoring.
There are also CPAP masks (continuous positive airway pressure) that force a stream of air down airways to keep them open throughout the night.
Diagnosis
If a patient were to check into a hospital for sleep apnea tests, he or she would have to stay at the hospital overnight, which patients often hesitate to do. This will give the patient a good idea if he has sleep apnea or not. Afterward, they can then follow up with a physician.
With proper treatment, individuals suffering from sleep apnea can correct the blockage and see significant benefits. The obvious benefit to this is a good night of sleep. Patients treated for sleep apnea experience less morning fatigue, which in itself is a revelation. Also, when the body receives a regular oxygen supply, the immune system, heart, and lungs become stronger.
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Source by Pamela Li
