I wouldn?t worry 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 severe and harmful disorder. This breathing disorder during sleep that is followed by interrupted and shallow breathing can be treated easily if it is discovered in time and not mistaken for ordinary snoring.
Therefore 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 next 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 amount of the deep natural sleep that is necessary for the body to function normally 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, lack of concentration and slow reflexes that could make one have increased risks for accidents.
In addition the long-term results of sleep apnea are grave health disorders like diabetes, high 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 weary and sleepy during the day even after long hours of sleep at night.
In addition, watch out for dry mouth or sore throat on waking up, morning headaches, restiveness, insomnia, grumpiness, irritability or even depression. Waking up feeling restless, forgetful, with a lack of concentration power and frequent trips to the bathroom at night could be other symptoms.
On noticing these symptoms 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 tired, sleepy or lack of concentration, all of which could lead to accidents. However the onus of diagnosing rests with the doctor.
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 conscious than one has woken up. The most serious of sleep apneas is the combination of both these apnea known as complex sleep apnea.
Believe me, sleep apnea could be readily discovered in the early stages with your bed partner?s help. A sleep diary would help him/her record your snoring, gasping, choking, or other unusual sounds. In addition a video recording of the patient would help you note signs of sleep apnea.
Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on several subjects, but is now involved with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. If you want to know more, please go to our web site at Sleep Apnea Surgery Techniques