Sleep Better Columbus helps people with sleep apnea, snoring and the conditions associated with them, such as teeth grinding and fatigue. While there are numerous types of sleep disorders, Sleep Better Columbus is focused on providing high quality Sleep Medicine specifically related to treatment for Snoring and Sleep Apnea.Sleep Better Columbus's team and Dr. Mark Levy are a family. Teamwork and unity are a core principle, along with a passion for patient care. The team at Sleep Better Columbus have been helping people in their sleep apnea clinic with sleep apnea and snoring and the conditions associated with them, such as teeth grinding and fatigue for decades. Our Sleep Better Columbus team helps patients regain their health.
Medical studies have revealed that approximately 4% of all middle aged men and 2% of women have some form of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea has been defined as a series of breathing cessation episodes during sleep that are caused by blocked or collapsed pharyngeal tissues in the airways that results in its victims having significant interrupted sleep. The most popular form of treatment for sleep apnea is the application of an apnea machine or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure device (CPAP), which is a small compressor that exudes air through tubing and a small face mask to open up the blocked airways.
Sleep apnea sufferers usually snore excessively, experience significant day time drowsiness and lack of energy, and are often overweight (which can cause the throat tissues to collapse). Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems. Sleep apnea causes its victims to not receive proper amounts of oxygen to the body as a result of the blocked or collapsed airways. Over the long term, this lack of oxygen puts undue pressure on the heart which can result in increased blood pressure, palpitations, or stroke. Thus, it is very important to address any potential airway blockage issues, such as snoring, with a doctor before long term damage is done.
Unfortunately, statistics show that 80% of sleep apnea cases go undiagnosed in the United States. The main reason being because most sleep apnea sufferers believe that it is "normal to snore" and that nothing can be done to treat the condition.
In fact, nothing could be further from the truth, just small lifestyle changes can have an immediate impact on eliminating or lessening the condition such as: losing weight, not using certain medications, and avoiding the supine position while sleeping. If these changes don't improve the situation, the application of an apnea machine may be required.
How is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
If your Doctor suspects you have sleep apnea, you will be asked to go to a sleep laboratory for testing. Typically, the testing requires a two night stay. The first evening is used to determine if sleep apnea is present.
While a person sleeps, a polysomnography computer uses various electronic patches, which are attached to the body that can determine if the episodes of breathing cessation are occurring. In the event a confirmation of sleep apnea exists, then the person will be asked to stay the next night, where they will use a apnea machine while they sleep to see if the apnea condition can be remedied.
One of the indicators that sleep labs look for in determining the severity of a persons sleep apnea is the number of terminations in breathing that are taking place (apnea) and the declines in airflows that cause sleep arousal (hypopnea). These disturbances are summarized on an hourly basis and referred to as the apnea-hypopnea index (or respiratory disturbance index). Medical studies show that if a person has over 15 of these disturbances in a one hour period, that long term mortality rates are increased and that they are more subject having secondary heart related issues.
Apnea Machine Options
An apnea machine uses very specialized air pressures to open up blocked airways and tissues. An apnea mask, which is attached to the nose, mouth, or both receives the air pressure from the apnea machine and delivers to the blocked airways. It is important to note that there are many different types of apnea masks and that it is essential to have a comfortable one (studies show CPAP compliance drops significantly if the mask is uncomfortable). Unlike like apnea masks, there are only a few different models of apnea machines and most operate under the same principle. The most popular, the CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) delivers a constant, steady airflow to its users.
However, for some CPAP users, the constant flow of air can become uncomfortable and not allow them to exhale properly. For these people, "smart CPAP's" have been created to allow for various levels of air pressure. In fact, these "Bi-level" apnea machines are called BiPAP's or Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure devices. A BiPAP apnea machine gradually uses increases and decreases air pressures so that its users can better tolerate airflow.
As one would suspect, a BiPAP apnea machine is more costly than a CPAP because of the technology requirements needed to moderate air flow pressures but it certainly has been proven to help people who are having air pressure issues with CPAP Therapy.
Other Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
It is also important to note that surgical procedures and the use of dental devices have also shown to be successful to treat sleep apnea. However, these treatments are limited to very specific cases. Additionally, surgery can be costly and has inherent risks and rehabilitation factors and associated it.
Dangers of Sleep Apnea
The reason why one should be able to recognize a sleep apnea symptom is because it is a potentially life threatening condition. Aside from exhausting the body and retarding your functions, sleep apnea could lead to more serious conditions such as stroke, heart disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease to name just a few.
There are three types of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is when the brain fails to signal breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea is when the muscles in the air passage collapses or becomes blocked by tissues that prevent air from getting through. The third type is a mix of the two major apnea types. Although they may have their differences, they may share a similar sleep apnea symptom or two.
Symptoms
It is believed that the most common sleep apnea symptom is snoring. This sleep apnea symptom may begin immediately after falling asleep and can grow louder as sleep progresses. It has since been discovered though that sleep apnea may still occur even without this common sleep apnea symptom. It is also possible that one may be a loud snorer without necessarily having an apnea condition.
It is logical to therefore conclude that the cessation of breathing is a more determining sleep apnea symptom. Aside from this obvious sleep apnea symptom, an individual could also gasp and choke while asleep and may eventually wake up dazed and confused. Daytime sleepiness is an insomnia symptom that may also point to a sleep apnea condition.
Accompanying Conditions
It may also be a good idea to look for a sleep apnea symptom among the conditions caused by apnea itself. A person suffering from this condition could end up being depressed because apnea causes either light sleep or wakefulness that in turn causes tiredness and irritability.
Importance of an Observer
Often times, a person with a sleep apnea symptom doesn't know that he has it himself. After all, a sleeping person cannot know what goes on during sleep. The responsibility of first noticing an apnea condition therefore falls on the shoulders of housemates or bed mates. Once a symptom like cessation of breathing becomes obvious a person who is believed to have apnea should be brought to a specialist for proper diagnosis. Housemates should also take note of personality changes brought about by disturbed sleep.
Treatment
It is believed that surgery may only be 50% successful in treating sleep apnea. It may help though for people who have the condition clearly because of enlarged tissues or tonsils. Surgery is generally a last resort treatment for people with apnea. Other medical procedures and treatments are first attempted before surgery is considered. What is important is to seek for expert advice instead of attempting to solve the condition on your own.
Nothing disrupts a good night's sleep more than loud snoring, and it is also considered to be the leading cause of husbands having to sleep on the couch. For medical experts, loud snoring should not be ignored because it can be a sign of sleep apnea, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Definition
Sleep apnea is the cessation of breathing while a person is asleep. Shallow breathing with pauses that last for about 10 to 20 seconds each is considered sleep apnea. Due to this, lack of oxygen takes place and results in a jolting awakening. This induces sleep deprivation wherein a person suffers from fatigue, drowsiness, slow reflexes and poor concentration during the day.
Types of Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of all. It happens when the soft tissues at the back of the throat, including the tongue, relax during sleep and block the airway. Once the airway is blocked, it causes a loud vibrating sound which we know as snoring. The second type is central sleep apnea. It is the less common type because it involves the central nervous system. This happens when the brain fails to send signals to specific muscles that control breathing. Also, snoring is not that evident for people suffering from central sleep apnea. The last type is complex sleep apnea wherein it is 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 does not choose any gender, race or age. It is best to know the following signs and symptoms because it might save a loved ones' life or even 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 suffering from sleep apnea may include waking up with a dry mouth, coarse voice, sore throat, throbbing headache, restless sleep, fatigue during the day, and lethargy. Before complaining how loudly other people snore and judging them for being lazy, take time to know how they are doing especially in the way they sleep.
Sleep Right and Avoid Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can be alleviated by improving one's sleeping practices. Changing one's body position while sleeping can prevent it from happening. Sleeping on one's side is recommended for persons suffering from sleep apnea. It is because when a person sleeps on their back, gravity makes the relaxed tongue drop on the soft tissues of the throat. This causes obstruction and loud snoring. Propping an extra pillow beneath your head elevates it from the body. This also prevents the tongue from dropping onto the air passage. The ideal height for the head is four to six inches because anything higher than that can lead to a stiff neck or a strained shoulder.
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Medical Interventions
Sleep apnea is treated in several ways. Doctors usually recommend sleep apnea mouthpieces. These are devices designed to alleviate excessive snoring and bruxism, best known as teeth grinding. Most sleep apnea mouthpieces are custom fit to prevent 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 in the market.