We hear about it in the news. With the increasing obesity level in the US (although that’s certainly not the only cause), per capita rates of apnea suffers are on the rise.

So, what IS Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disorder which causes respiration to stop when a person is sleeping. A person suffering from sleep apnea will stop breathing from 10 seconds up to a few minutes. These pauses in breathing can take place up to 30 times in one hour. After one of these cessations of respiration, the patient will start breathing normally again, often with a snoring sound. Sleep apnea is a common disorder. According to studies more than 13 million Americans suffer from this condition. The patients are mostly men or people who are overweight.

Sleep apnea can manifest itself in two forms: Obstructive apnea and central apnea. Where central apnea is rare, obstructive apnea is the most common type. With this type of apnea something blocks the windpipe, causing the stop or blockage of air coming into the throat.

Though sleep apnea is a serious condition, it should be noted that it does not form a threat in the sense that it will not cause choking. Because of the lack of oxygen, the brain sends off a signal to the body. The patient will sleep lighter or even wake up. The throat relaxes, which allows the patient to breath normally again until the following apnea occurs.

Due to all the apneas, the quality of sleep for people suffering from this condition is very poor. Sleep apnea causes sleepiness during the daytime and also fatigue. This results in the patient falling asleep during day to day activities such as reading the newspaper or even driving. Other problems which result from sleep apnea are a lowered concentration and high blood pressure. The patient’s body and mind do not recover properly during the night-time which has the effect of shortening the patient’s life span.

Also, sleep apnea does not only influence the patient’s rest, but also the rest and sleep of the partner. Constant snoring and waking up can cause the significant other to also suffer from bad sleeping patterns.

• Lowered concentration and learning difficulties
• Excessive fatigue
• Having headaches for a longer period of time. Most patients who suffer from sleep apnea claim having headaches.
• Heartburn
• For larger people, swollen legs are a common symptom
• Need to urinate during sleep
• Excessive sweating during sleep
• Cramped feeling in the chest area
• Excessive snoring. However, this does not always have to be a symptom of sleep apnea.
• Choking sounds during sleep
• Gasping for air
• Restlessness
• Increased blood pressure
• Lowered sexual functions
• Depression or agressiveness

Older men and women have periods of cessation of respiration. This is normal, but makes it difficult to diagnose if they have sleep apnea.

Nevertheless, all the symptoms of sleep apnea are harmful to the patient’s health and rest. When experiencing any or a number of these symptoms or consider any of the range of sleep apnea treatments, consider seeing a doctor.

Moreover, people who have enlarged tissues, such as enlarged tonsils, in their oral area are also prone to sleep apnea. During sleep, the tonsils push the airway, which causes the airway to narrow.

However, there are also other causes and risk factors for sleep apnea:

• Being overweight. People who suffer from obesity have an increased chance of suffering from sleep apnea. Fatty cells are known to narrow the airway. If your sleep apnea is caused by obesity, consider the fact that there is an interplay between these two conditions, as a person who is tired tends to be less active. This in itself causes obesity.
• Alcohol or any other substance abuse. Alcohol and other drugs influence the brain, which stimulates respiration. This may cause relaxed breathing muscles and a blockage of the airways.
• Mouth breathing. Breathing through one’s mouth may lead to certain structural abnormalities in the facial area. This may contribute to sleep apnea.
• Medication. Certain medication which is used for emotional purposes is known to relax breathing muscles. Check with your doctor if you are taking any medication for allergies, depression or anxiety and have sleep apnea.
• Asthma. Asthma is a potential cause of sleep apnea. Asthma cramps the airway, which may result in a blockage of the throat.
• Acid reflux. Severe cases of acid reflux can cause heavy scar tissue in the throat. This repetitive scaring can cause obstructions in the airways.
• Among these causes are also smoking, stress and bad body posture. Often sleep apnea will dissapear if the patient makes a few lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and alcohol and losing weight.

Be sure to read the other articles on this site to learn more about the various sleep apnea treatments available.

If the doctor is under the impression that the patient might suffer from a sleeping disorder, he or she will recommend an overnight sleep study in a sleep lab under the observation of a trained health care provider. Here the patient will undergo a polysomnography. A polysomnograph shows a patient’s brain activity, heart rate, eye movement and respiratory activity during sleep. This test will help to determine if the patient does or does not suffer from sleep apnea… and give hints as to the most effective of the sleep apnea treaments for that particular case.

The sleep apnea test is carried out in a sleep lab during the night, so that the most reliable results can be achieved. Electrodes on the chest, scalp and eyelids will send off messages to the health care provider. These electrodes will measure the time it takes for the patient to fall asleep and the time it takes to fall in REM ( Rapid Eye Movement ) sleep. Also, a video camera will monitor the patient’s movements. All these components will determine if and how often the patient stops breathing during the night.

It is important to avoid any alcohol or caffeine before the test as this may cloud the test results. After the polysomnography the right diagnosis will be determined and the patient will be informed on possible treatments.

There are certain tests which patients can do at home. However, these test results may be unreliable. It is highly advised to visit a doctor to be sure of the right diagnosis.

Once the patient has chosen a sleep apnea dental appliance as means of a treatment, the dentist will design and fabricate a mold of the teeth and jaws. The mouthpiece prevents the blocking of the airways by pulling the tongue and jaws forward. The airways remain unblocked and fewer apneas occur during sleep.

Dental appliances vary in cost and quality. Depending on the quality of the materials the prices can rise up to $1,500. Whichever price range the patient chooses it is important to keep in mind the comfort of the dental appliance. Custom-made dental appliances may cost more, but in many cases they will guarantee a good night’s sleep.

Also, cheaper appliances which are not custom-made are mostly ‘one size fits all’. This means they most likely will not fit. Custom-made appliances will fit and also allow some motion of the jaws, which will prevent discomfort. Remember, you get what you pay for. Depending on the quality of your mouthpiece and the maintenance it may not need replacement for 6 years. Cheaper and over-the-counter dental appliances have a maximum life span of 6 months.

Whichever mouthpiece you chose, be advised to visit a doctor and dentist before purchasing any appliances. Every sleeping disorder is different, and with the wide range of sleep apnea treatments available… be sure to have a physician and dentist investigate if a sleep apnea dental appliance is the right treatment for you.

Obesity and sleep apnea go hand in hand. Losing weight and exercising can be effective in the battle against sleep apnea. Also losing weight and getting in shape will give you more energy during the daytime. Often apnea is caused by a blockage of the airways. When losing weight, and fatty cells in the throat, the airways do not get blocked as much or the airways are opened completely.

Another lifestyle change which may benefit your sleep is avoiding sleeping on your back. This will stop the tongue from falling back and blocking the airways. Also, drugs and alcohol can have a damaging effect on the respiratory drive during sleep. They may soften the throat muscles. This may end in a collapsing of the throat. Cutting down on alcohol and drugs (sleeping pills, for example) will elevate the oxygen levels in the blood and stop or lower the degree of apnea during sleep.

However, homeopathy is also an option.Visit a homeopath to discover which treatments are usefull for your situation. Often the practitioners will prescribe different medication for different types of people. For example, energetic and extroverted people will get Lachesis prescribed, while people who have a history of mental problems will get homeopathic opium for the same condition. Vervain is also a treatment which is used for sleep apnea.

A fairly new alternative treatment for sleep apnea is 5-HTP. 5-HTP has a beneficial influence on the serotonin and cortisol levels in the human body. These two are thought to be the reason behind sleep apnea.  Taking 5-HTP before going to bed will decrease the number of apneas and the fatigue and sleepiness during the daytime.

Before having any major surgery done, it is important to be well-informed by your doctor. Consider all the health risks and which procedure would benefit your health most. It should be noted that surgery may not cure the sleep apnea, but only make it less severe. Also, in some cases surgery will only worsen sleep apnea. Take these factors into consideration before resorting to surgery.

However, if surgery is the best treatment for your situation there are a few options.  The most common procedure for sleep apnea is UPP (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty). This procedure is used to enhance the airways by removing tonsils and adenoids. The surgeon may also choose to remove or shorten the uvula (tissue at the back of the roof of the mouth). With a success rate of more than 40%, this  is a highly effective procedure.

Somnoplasty is also a surgical procedure which may help prevent sleep apnea. The procedure shrinks the tongue or palate using radio frequencies. This is a repetitive treatment as multiple treatments are needed. Another option is the tongue suspension procedure. A small screw in the jaw helps prevent the tongue from blocking the airways. However, somnoplasty and the tongue suspension procedure are new treatments and the efficiancy of the two treatments is yet to be published.

Another treatment which is widely discussed is tracheotomy. A hole in the trachea or windpipe allows air to travel through the airways. This is a treatment for patients who suffer from severe cases of sleep apnea and have tried other treatments without results.

Other treatments are lingualplasty (removing a part of the tongue) or maxillomandibular osteotomy (enlarging the airway by moving the jaw forward).  Though very successful, these surgeries are complicated and last several hours.

When deciding for surgery it is important to be fully aware of the risks and benefits. Consider if surgery is the right option in terms of sleep apnea treatments for you… and always make sure that you are in the hands of a professional surgeon.

Fatigue and sleepiness are two results of sleep apnea which, although frustrating, are bearable. However, recent studies have shown that patients who suffer from severe obstructive sleep apnea are prown to other diseases which may shorten their life span. One of these risks is liver disease. An experiment with patients who suffer from severe and mild sleep apnea and people who do not suffer from the condition showed that patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea have an increased amount of fatty liver cells. Also the levels of insulin found in their blood was significantly higher than those of the other participants. These two results show the devastating effect of severe sleep apnea on the health.

However, liver disease is not the only threat to patients. Patients with severe sleep apnea are so fatigued during the day time that it is impossible for them to stay awake. This is not only dangerous for  them, but also for the people in their surroundings. Falling asleep while driving, cooking or ironing can result in tragedy.

Also, severe sleep apnea can result in clinical depression as a result of sleep deprivation. In some cases the patient may need anti-anxiety medication. Some patients also suffer from agressiveness. Especially in a working environment, this may lead to tension and disruption of day to day life.

These are only a few of the many health risks. Obesity is a danger which goes hand in hand with severe sleep apnea. There is an interplay between these two, obesity causes sleep apnea but is also worsened by it. While there are a range of sleep apnea treatments available…but severe sleep apnea can very frequently be lessened simply by losing weight.

CPAP machines continue to develop over time with advancements in technology. In recent years, they have become smaller and quieter (which, along with providing a solution to the apnea sufferers breathing difficulties, helps enhance the sleep environment). CPAPs commonly cost a thousand dollars or more (usually covered by insurance when diagnosed via sleep study by a doctor), and each one has specific pressure settings. A prescription from a qualified sleep doctor will indicate the setting at which the machine should be used, and technicians from the company that provides the medical equipment will set the pressure before delivery.

CPAP Supplies

CPAP machines use filters which help protect the user from breathing in certain particulates. These filters should be replaced on a regular basis (this is somewhat dependent on the environment where the machine is used).

The CPAP mask comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some provide only a small connection to the nostrils, some cover the entire nose and some “full-face” masks cover the nose and mouth. Getting used to a mask can take some effort and a lot of patience. It’s easy to throw in the towel…but this can be a dangerous decision. If an apnea sufferer is having a hard time adjusting to sleeping with a mask on, there are several options, including:

- trying a different mask style
- use of “nasal pillows” to ease pressure on the nose
- sleeping with the mask for just a few hours each night…gradually increasing the amount over time
- experimenting with strap settings
- using skin moisturizers to prevent chapping and other irritations
- experimenting with various sleep positions
- consulting with your medical equipment company or your sleep doctor

Also, while the CPAP machine creates a stream of pressure that naturally tends to hold the mouth closed, not all apnea sufferers have the same experience. Some find that a chin strap is required to hold the mouth closed, protecting the “seal” and maintaining the appropriate air pressure.

BiPAP machines (or bilevel PAPs) add another feature to breathing enhancement, by lowering the pressure during exhalation. This makes the breathing process easier for some apnea sufferers. Another recent development is the AutoPAP, employing an internal regulator which adjusts the pressure as needed, rather than remaining at a fixed level.

Read the other articles on this site for more about sleep apnea treatments.