Nothing disrupts a good night’s sleep a lot more than loud snoring, in fact it is also regarded as the leading reason behind husbands needing to sleep on the couch. For medical experts, loud snoring shouldn’t be ignored because it could be a sign of anti snoring, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Definition
Sleep apnea may be the cessation of breathing while one is asleep. Shallow breathing with pauses that last for approximately 10 to 20 seconds each is considered sleep apnea. For this reason, lack of oxygen takes place and results in a jolting awakening. This induces sleep deprivation wherein an individual suffers from fatigue, drowsiness, slow reflexes and poor concentration throughout the day.
To understand more about sleep apnea, one must know how to differentiate its kinds. You can find three types namely obstructive, central, and complex sleep apnea.
Forms of Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common kind of all. It happens when the soft tissues at the back of the throat, like the tongue, relax during sleep and block the airway. Once the airway is blocked, it causes a loud vibrating sound which we realize as snoring. The second type is central sleep apnea. ufabet It’s the less common type since it involves the central nervous system. This happens once the brain fails to send signals to specific muscles that control breathing. Also, snoring isn’t that evident for people experiencing central sleep apnea. The last type is complex sleep apnea wherein it’s the combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
It is very important to pay attention to the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea because it can happen to anybody. It generally does not choose any gender, race or age. It is best to know the following signs or symptoms since it might save a loved ones’ life as well as yours.
Signs and Symptoms
The major signs of sleep apnea are loud snoring with long pauses in breathing, choking, snorting, and gasping for air during sleep. Complaints of people experiencing sleep apnea can include waking up with a dry mouth, coarse voice, sore throat, throbbing headache, restless sleep, fatigue throughout the day, and lethargy. Before complaining how loudly other people snore and judging them to be lazy, remember to know how they’re doing especially in the manner they sleep.
Risk Factors
Some people may disregard the fact that they can be candidates for sleep apnea, especially if they’re not aware of the risk factors. Obesity, family history, old age, and using tobacco are among the high risk factors. Medical conditions such as allergies, nasal congestion, along with other ailments that involve the airway may also cause sleep apnea. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, it is best to consult a doctor.
Sleep Right and steer clear of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea could be alleviated by improving one’s sleeping practices. Changing the body position while sleeping can prevent it from happening. Sleeping on one’s side is recommended for persons experiencing sleep apnea. It is because whenever a person sleeps on the back, gravity makes the relaxed tongue drop on the soft tissues of the throat. This causes obstruction and loud snoring. Propping a supplementary pillow beneath your head elevates it from your body. This prevents the tongue from dropping onto the air way. The ideal height for the head is four to six inches because anything greater than that can result in a stiff neck or a strained shoulder.
Medical Interventions
Sleep apnea is treated in a number of ways. Doctors usually recommend sleep apnea mouthpieces. They are devices designed to alleviate excessive snoring and bruxism, most widely known as teeth grinding. Most sleep apnea mouthpieces are custom fit to avoid choking and slipping.
Several users and doctors investigated the pros and cons of using sleep apnea mouthpieces. Since these devices are geared towards providing relief and comfort, it is important to take time reading the reviews of several products on the market.