Understanding Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea is a sleeping disorder. It is characterized by interruptions in breathing while asleep. A person’s breathing actually stops for several seconds at a time, many times during the night, and each time, breaths are missed. The interruptions steal much needed rest and oxygen from the body and brain. And the sleep apnea sufferer is left with days filled with fatigue and low energy.
There are three different kinds of sleep apnea. The Obstructive variety in which a person’s airway is actually temporarily blocked (usually by the soft muscle tissue of the throat), the Central variety in which the brain’s respiratory control mechanisms malfunction, and the Complex variety in which a person cycles between the Obstructive an Central forms.
Of the three, Obstructive Sleep Apnea is by far the most common. It is also the most easily treatable by a combination of lifestyle changes and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. If you suspect that either you or someone close to you suffers from any form of sleep apnea, you should consult a qualified medical professional for diagnosis and treatment options.
Clive Fleming is also the author of Respironics CPAP Masks.
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