Addressing Common Sleep Apnea Questions And Concerns
Breathing problems can be serious health matters that will demand professional attention. However, these conditions can come in a wide variety of different types and severities. This can lead to individuals being uninformed about some breathing problems, such as sleep apnea.
What Causes A Person To Experience Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea occurs when a person's airway becomes blocked while they are sleeping. Often, this can be caused by folds of skin shifting position enough to inhibit your breathing. Additionally, individuals with severe allergies or other breathing problems may also be at a much higher risk of developing sleep apnea.
Due to the fact that sleep apnea can lead to very serious complications, it is critical for those with family histories of this disorder or conditions that put them at a higher risk of developing it to be on the lookout for the early warning symptoms of sleep apnea. This may include frequently waking, feeling as though you are out of breath upon waking and chronic sensations of being tired.
Will Sleep Apnea Worsen Overtime?
Some patients that suffer from sleep apnea will make the unfortunate mistake of assuming that this condition is only a minor problem. As a result, they may fail to seek medical treatment for their sleep apnea. Unfortunately, it can be possible for the symptoms of sleep apnea to worsen over time. Also, individuals can start to develop secondary complications as a result of their sleep apnea. This is due to the intense strain that sleep apnea can put on the rest of the body. For example, individuals that have sleep apnea may be at a much higher risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke.
How Will Your Sleep Apnea Be Diagnosed?
There are a variety of ways that your doctor can attempt to diagnose your sleep apnea. Some doctors will perform a thorough evaluation of the airway of the patient to look for signs of this problem. Other patients may find that they have to undergo sleep evaluations. These evaluations will allow the patient's breathing patterns to be monitored while they sleep so that instances of sleep apnea can be identified.
Can Patients Have Their Sleep Apnea Treated?
The treatment options that can be used to address the sleep apnea will vary due to the severity of the disorder. For example, patients that are only experiencing mild symptoms on an intermittent basis may be able to address their symptoms by using specially designed mouthguards that will help to keep the airway open while the patient sleeps. Also, there can be breathing treatments that can keep the muscle in the throat from contacting and restricting airflow.
For more information, contact your local sleep apnea appliance service.
Share