Welcome to Sleep Apnea Answers

What is Sleep Apnea ?

More than likely you have heard of the medical condition sleep apnea; however, you may not understand what that term means and how dangerous the condition can actually be. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea can lead to quick diagnoses and treatment for yourself or family members.

Sleep Apnea - What is It?
Very simply defined, sleep apnea is a serious condition in which you either breath extremely shallowly or you even stop breathing from time to time while you are sleeping. Usually the times when you stop breathing only last for ten to thirty seconds, but they can occur up to thirty times each hour that you are sleeping. Obstructive sleep apnea is the type of sleep apnea that most people deal with. When you are sleeping you may not be able to get enough oxygen into your lung, and then the levels of oxygen in your body will start dropping. Usually you will start breathing as you should again by making a choking or snorting sound.

Poor Resting
One problem that many people notice before they even realize that they have sleep apnea is that they never feel rested after sleeping. Because you are constantly having periods where you stop breathing and they start breathing again, it can be hard to stay in a deep sleep, which is needed to feel rested in the morning. Your oxygen levels in the blood tend to rise and fall through the night, and usually you go from light sleep to deep sleep over and over again, without ever truly getting the rest that your body needs.

Snoring Can Be a Warning
One warning sign of sleep apnea is snoring; however, it is important to note that not everyone who has a snoring problem has sleep apnea. Usually people who have this problem do not even realize that they snore at night, but their partner may pick up on the snoring before they do. People who are overweight tend to develop this problem more than those who are thinner, but thin people do get this physical problem as well.

The Risks
Not only is sleep apnea serious because of the dangerous breathing problems and drop in oxygen while you are sleeping, but there are some other health risks associated with it as well. Those who have sleep apnea and are not being treated for it can be at a higher risk for having a stroke, heart attack, or even high blood pressure. You may be at more risk for diabetes as well if you have this problem. Since you do not sleep as well as you should at night, people with sleep apnea are at a higher risk to have automobile and work accidents as well.

Sleep apnea is a serious problem, and if you think that you may be showing signs of this problem you need to speak with your doctor. There are a variety of treatments available, but the first step to getting help is one you will have to make.