What is Sleep Apnea? How can it be treated?

Sleep apnea refers to a severe sleep disorder in which a person's breathing becomes interrupted while sleeping. Untreated sleep apnea can cause people to stop breathing, often hundreds of times per night. The lack of breathing may last for a few seconds or minutes and can occur up to 30 times per hour. Obstructive sleep Apnea, the most prevalent type of sleep apnea, is the result of the obstruction of the airway by soft tissue collapse in the throat.

More than 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. It is more prevalent in women than men. Sleep apnea is a condition that affects approximately 4 percent of middle age men and 2 percent of middle aged women. This condition is more prevalent in overweight people and older adults.

The Common Causes of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can be caused by a blocked airway or a relaxed throat muscle. It can also be caused by obesity, large tonsils or a narrowed septum. Smoking, excess alcohol intake, high blood pressure and heart disease are all possible causes of sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea Treatment s

Continuous positive airway pressure is the most popular treatment for sleep apnea. This device delivers pressurized oxygen through a mask that keeps your airway open. Lifestyle changes like weight loss and quitting smoking or avoiding alcohol are also possible to treat sleep apnea. To remove any excess tissue that blocks the airway, surgery may be an option.

Studies show that CPAP, which reduces the amount of apneas in an hour by 70% to 90%, is the best treatment for sleep apnea. Lifestyle modifications alone are enough to reduce the number by 20- 30 percent , while surgery is able to reduce them by 50-80 percent.

Expert Opinions on Sleep Apnea

Experts believe that sleep apnea can cause serious health issues such as Stroke and heart disease. Research has also shown that sleep apnea can be Depression "> linked to anxiety, depression and Insomnia . If you think you might have sleep apnea, you should seek professional advice.

Experts recommend lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and quitting smoking. They also suggest avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bedtime. They also recommend that you avoid sleeping on your stomach and use a CPAP machine if necessary. They also recommend regular appointments to a sleep specialist in order to keep the condition under control.

Prevention tips and Natural Remedies

You can reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea with natural treatments and preventative tips. You can reduce stress, exercise regularly and sleep on your side, rather than your back. You can also help maintain a healthy weight by avoiding eating large meals and using humidifiers in your bedroom.

Essential oils such as lavender and chamomile can also be used to reduce stress levels. To promote sleep, you can also use herbal supplements like passionflower and valerian root. To open the passages of your nasal passages, you can use nasal strips.

To reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea, these natural solutions and tips may be combined with prescribed treatment. It is important that you consult your physician before making any lifestyle or natural changes.

Conclusion

Sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that can affect millions around the globe, is serious. This is due to the narrowing of the airway caused by relaxed muscles in your throat. It can be managed with lifestyle modifications, surgery and CPAP devices. If you think you might have sleep apnea consult a doctor immediately. Lifestyle changes like losing weight and quitting smoking are recommended. Avoiding alcohol before bed is also recommended. There are many natural ways to reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea such as essential oils, herbal supplementation, nasal strips, and other prevention strategies.

Sleep apnea, a severe sleep disorder can lead to serious health problems if it is not treated. It is crucial to get medical advice to help reduce your risk. You can also use natural remedies or prevention tips to reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea.