Do you snore while you are sleeping? Do you wake up during the night sometimes with the sensation of choking or grasping for breath? Do you wake up with headaches and have trouble staying awake during the day?

If you answered yes to the questions above, chances are you may already be under a threat of a serious, potentially life-threatening sleeping disorder called sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. It comes from the Greek word, apnea, meaning "want of breathe."

There are three forms of sleep apnea these being: obstructive sleep apnea (most common), central sleep apnea (less common) and mixed sleep apnea (least common).

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common and occurs when air cannot flow into or out of the individual's mouth or nose usually accompanied by a reduction in blood oxygen saturation, and followed by an awakening to breathe. Individuals with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing frequently during their sleep, at times up to hundreds of times during the course of the night and often for 60 seconds or longer.

Central sleep apnea, is less common and the airway is not blocked, but it occurs when the brain does not send the appropriate signals to the breathing muscles that instigate respiration, usually with decreases in blood oxygen saturation.

Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

According to the National Institute of Health, sleep apnea afflicts close to 20 million Americans. Sleep apnea occurs in all age groups and both sexes but is more common to overweight men over the age of forty. Sleep apnea also seems to run in some families, suggesting a possible genetic basis.

Early recognition and treatment of sleep apnea is important because it may be associated with memory problems, weight gain, headaches, impotency, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

• Loud and frequent snoring.
• Cessation of breathing during sleep.
• Waking up several times during the night.
• Unexplained concentration problems
• Excessive daytime sleepiness/fatigue.
• Restless sleep with feelings of tiredness, dullness, aches, morning headaches and severe dryness in the mouth.
  
  
  

  Treatment of Sleep Apnea

  
  Fortunately, sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated. Several treatment options exist, such as behavioral therapy, physical or mechanical therapy and surgery. For many sleep apnea patients, their partners are the first ones to suspect that something is wrong, usually from their heavy snoring and apparent struggle to breathe. Friends, relatives or coworkers of the sleep apnea sufferer might notice that the individual falls asleep at inappropriate times during the day, such as while driving a car, working or talking. The patient often does not know he or she has a problem. In these circumstances, it is important that the sleep apnea sufferer sees a medical doctor for further evaluation.
  
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