Dangers Of Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea Can Be Dangerous and honestly believe that you have to be overweight to suffer from Sleep Apnea, but as Dr. Jack Ringer explains, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Although people who weigh more than they should are more susceptible to Sleep Apnea, anyone can have it, even children.

Risk factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea include excess weight. If you are obese, you are four times more likely to suffer from OSA as fat deposits in your upper airways may be obstructing your breathing. However, not everyone who is overweight has Sleep Apnea. If you have a thick neck, your air pages may be narrower making it difficult to breathe. Another reason that you may suffer from Sleep Apnea could be genetic in that you inherited a narrow throat. Adenoids and tonsils that are enlarged could also be blocking the airway. This is one of the reasons that children suffer from Sleep Apnea.

Sleep Apnea Can Be Dangerous thanks to your age and family history, the use of tranquilizers, sedatives, and alcohol could also be to blame as they relax the throat muscles. People who smoke are more likely to suffer from Sleep Apnea than those who have never taken a puff. People who cannot breathe well through the nose may also develop Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

According to Wikipedia, Sleep Apnea Can Be Dangerous, especially if the person who is suffering stops and starts breathing while he or she is asleep. Some sleep studies have indicated that some who suffer from Sleep Apnea may stop breathing anywhere from five to 100 times in one hour.

There are three types of Sleep Apnea. Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Central Sleep Apnea, and Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the most common of the three and happens when your throat muscles relax.
• Central Sleep Apnea is more rare and occurs when the brains stops sending the proper signals to muscles that control your breathing.
• Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome is a combination of both Central Sleep Apnea and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Complications from any type of Sleep Apnea disorder could be deadly. People who suffer from Sleep Apnea may develop heart problems or COPD.

The symptoms and signs of all three Sleep Apnea disorders may overlap making it difficult to diagnose the right type. The most common symptoms of Central Sleep Apnea and Obstructive Sleep Apnea include:

• Loud and disruptive snoring, which is usually more prevalent in OSA
• Breathing cessation that is witnessed by someone else
• Waking up abruptly followed by a shortness of breath
• Waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth
• Morning headaches
• Insomnia
• Daytime sleepiness or hypersomnia
• Irritability
• Problems staying alert
• Problems paying attention

It is imperative that you consult your doctor if you or your partner is snoring so loud that everyone is disturbed, or if you wake up choking or gasping for air. You may also be suffering from Sleep Apnea if there are intermittent pauses during sleep or if you suffer from daytime drowsiness. Other signs that you may have Sleep Apnea include chronic fatigue and narcolepsy. If you tend to fall asleep while watching television, working, or even driving, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor who can determine if you are suffering from Sleep Apnea.

Next week Dr. Ringer will talk more about Sleep Apnea and what can be done to help you sleep better.