Introduction to Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is highly prevalent in the population compared to other forms of apnoea. As the name implies it is caused by an obstruction in the flow of air from nose to lungs. During sleep, there is not enough air from nose to lungs as the windpipe is blocked or collapsed briefly during breathing, due to the relaxation of muscles.

Obstructive Apnea can be caused by a problem with the tonsils, being overweight, having a narrow airway, suffering from a respiratory infection, having an improper facial structure, worn out airway muscles, an obstruction in the nasal passages, a reduction in blood oxygen saturation, and, sometimes, the structure of the jaw.  It can occur in people who take drugs too.  So little time is spent in deep sleep that the brain briefly rises to activity when you resume breathing, resulting in sleep deprivation. This causes tiredness, weakness and in advanced cases stroke, asthma and sometimes depression
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More information on sleep apnea

Sleep Apnea Treatment
As the saying goes, a patient has to first seek the help of support devices which might be a saviour from sleep apnea. These devices are used by patients who have mild to moderate sleep apnea.

Diagnosis of Sleep Apnea
Polysomnography:  Though PSG is commonly used for diagnosing children, it was not designed for this purpose.  As children have a different physiology and higher respiratory rates, a machine designed for adults is not appropriate.

Sleep Apnea Research FAQ
Is nasal surgery necessary? There are many home remedies and devices, which can be used to treat sleep apnea. However, these are not always effective in eliminating sleep disorders and surgery may become necessary.

Sleep apnea
'Sleep' is nature's gift to the human body where the body gets a chance to recharge and repair muscles and in building our immune system. During sleep, brain organizes and stores memories.

How do you know if you have  sleep apnea?
Sometimes it becomes difficult to spot a particular problem, as symptoms for many disorders will overlap and finding the right disorder becomes a major task.  To worsen the situation...

Self help for sleep apnea
There are many self help techniques and treatments which can be effective in dealing with obstructive sleep apnea and sometimes central sleep apnea and mixed apnea too - but don't forget to seek the advice of a professional medical practitioner first!.

Sleep apnea in children
What is the most common type of sleep apnea observed in children?
The most common type of sleep apnea which children suffer from is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

Snoring and sleep apnea cure
Is your partner's snoring disturbing you? Instead of fighting over it why not help them find a cure for this sleep disorder, which often requires urgent medical attention...

Surgery for sleep apnea
A simple outpatient surgical procedure can often help those suffering from mild sleep apnea. The main aim of this surgery is to remove the tissues that cause obstruction.  This includes removal of tonsils, adenoids and any other blockages.

When to seek medical attention for sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a very serious disorder and is widespread across every country. Unfortunately there is lack of awareness about its prevalence. It mainly affects the middle aged overweight population...