Nothing disrupts an excellent night’s sleep more than loud snoring, and it is also regarded as the leading cause of husbands needing to sleep on the couch. For medical experts, loud snoring should not be ignored because it could be a sign of sleep apnea, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Definition
Sleep apnea is the cessation of breathing while a person is asleep. Shallow breathing with pauses that last for approximately 10 to 20 seconds each is known as sleep apnea. Because of this, lack of oxygen occurs and results in a jolting awakening. This induces sleep deprivation wherein an individual suffers from fatigue, drowsiness, slow reflexes and poor concentration throughout the day.
To understand more about sleep apnea, one must know how exactly to differentiate its kinds. You can find three types namely obstructive, central, and complex sleep apnea.
Types of Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of all. It happens once the soft tissues behind the throat, including the tongue, relax during sleep and block the airway. After the airway is blocked, it causes a loud vibrating sound which we know as snoring. The next type is central sleep apnea. It is the less common type because it involves the central nervous system. This happens once the brain fails to send signals to specific muscles that control breathing. Also, snoring is not that evident for people experiencing central sleep apnea. The last type is complex anti snoring wherein it’s the combination of both obstructive and central anti snoring.
It is very important to pay focus on the signs or symptoms of sleep apnea because it can occur to anybody. It does not choose any gender, race or age. It is advisable to know the following signs or symptoms since it might save a loved ones’ life and even yours.
ufabet Signs and Symptoms
The major signs of sleep apnea are loud snoring with long pauses in breathing, choking, snorting, and gasping for air during sleep. Complaints of people suffering from sleep apnea may include waking up with a dry mouth, coarse voice, sore throat, throbbing headache, restless sleep, fatigue during the day, and lethargy. Before complaining how loudly other people snore and judging them to be lazy, remember to know how they are doing especially in the manner they sleep.
Risk Factors
Some people may ignore the fact that they may be candidates for sleep apnea, especially if they are not aware of the chance factors. Obesity, family history, old age, and cigarette smoking are among the risky factors. Medical conditions such as allergies, nasal congestion, along with other ailments that involve the airway may also cause sleep apnea. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, it is best to consult a doctor.
Sleep Right and Avoid Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can be alleviated by improving one’s sleeping practices. Changing one’s body position during sleep can prevent it from happening. Sleeping on one’s side is recommended for persons suffering from sleep apnea. It is because whenever a person sleeps on the back, gravity makes the relaxed tongue drop on the soft tissues of the throat. This causes obstruction and loud snoring. Propping a supplementary pillow beneath your head elevates it from the body. This prevents the tongue from dropping onto the air way. The ideal height for the head is 4-6 inches because anything higher than that can lead to a stiff neck or a strained shoulder.
Medical Interventions
Anti snoring is treated in a number of ways. Doctors usually recommend anti snoring mouthpieces. They are devices designed to alleviate excessive snoring and bruxism, best known as teeth grinding. Most sleep apnea mouthpieces are custom fit to avoid choking and slipping.
Several users and doctors investigated the pros and cons of using sleep apnea mouthpieces. Since these devices are geared towards providing relief and comfort, you should take time reading the reviews of several products in the market.