I wouldn?t bother so much having my bed partner lie on the couch in the living room snoring, as I would if he suffered from sleep apnea, a more serious and harmful disorder. This breathing disorder during sleep that is followed by intermittent and shallow breathing can be treated easily provided it is found out in time and not mistaken for normal snoring.
Hence it is best to understand what sleep apnea and its symptoms are, so we can help a loved one that is suffering from the disorder of sleep apnea.
You have to know that untreated sleep apnea could hinder you having sound sleep at night and make you feel tired, fatigued, mentally exhausted and least productive on the following day. The breathing pauses could last anywhere between 10 to 20 seconds, take place up to 100 times on the same night. This would reduce the quantity of the deep natural sleep that is essential for the body to function properly physically and mentally during the daytime.
Most of us know the implications of not having a sound night?s sleep and this is no exception for a person with sleep apnea. He/she would suffer from chronic daytime sleepiness, loss of concentration and slow reflexes that could make one have higher risks for accidents.
In addition the long-term results of sleep apnea are grave health disorders like diabetes, elevated blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and weight gain.
Look out for symptoms of sleep apnea like loud and constant snoring, choking, gasping, snorting in sleep and long interruptions in breathing. In addition observe if he/she feels tired and sleepy during the day even after protracted hours of sleep at night.
In addition, look out for dry mouth or sore throat on waking up, morning headaches, restiveness, insomnia, moodiness, bad temper or even depression. Waking up feeling restive, forgetful, with a lack of concentration power and frequent trips to the toilet at night could be other indications.
On observing these indications consult a specialist. He/she will prescribe an overnight stay in a hospital to observe and diagnose sleep apnea. It is best to understand that just snoring or some of these symptoms does not lead to a diagnosis of sleep apnea.
Snoring could be just ordinary and it does not interfere with the quality and amount of sleep and make one feel chronically fatigued, sleepy or lack of concentration, all of which could result in accidents. However the job of diagnosing lies with the specialist.
It is a good idea to take into account that sleep apnea could be of a variety of types. In an episode of obstructive sleep apnea, the soft tissues on the back of the throat relax and obstruct oxygen from entering the lungs during sleep and it results in a brief disturbance of sleep.
However, central sleep apnea is less well-known but more serious and takes place when the brain fails to signal the breath regulating muscles to breathe and this could make one aware than one has woken up. The most serious of sleep apneas is the amalgamation of both these apnea known as complex sleep apnea.
Believe me, sleep apnea could be readily discovered in the initial stages with your bed partner?s help. A sleep diary would help him/her record your snoring, gasping, choking, or other uncommon sounds. In addition a video recording of the patient would help you note signs of sleep apnea.
Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on several subjects, but is now concerned with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. If you want to know more, please visit our website at Sleep Apnea Surgery Techniques