SLEEP RELATED BREATHING  DISORDERS(SRBD): SLEEP APNEA

Sleep apnea is, by far, the sleep disorder that causes the greatest detriment to a person’s health. During sleep apnea, the affected person either can’t breathe or won’t breathe or combination of both and will struggle unsuccessfully to bring air into the lungs. The oxygen in the blood begins to decrease. Before death actually occurs, the brain causes the individual to wake up called Arousal from sleep. He or she does so gasping or choking for air. The cycle is repeated throughout the night with the person usually unaware of the events.

A person suffering with sleep apnea is tired during the day. Sleep does not refresh them because they never are able to reach deep stages of sleep. Severe sleep apnea can cause a person to wake up every two or three minutes. Severe sleep apnea is conclusively linked to an increased risk of heart attack & stroke. Evidence suggests that sleep apnea can shorten a person’s lifespan between 8 & 30 years.

Snoring is a socially unacceptable behavior. Severe snorers are often kicked out of the bedroom by a frustrated spouse. A person that snores may be embarrassed to go on a group camping trip or share a hotel room with a friend. Snoring is often the most common sign of Sleep Apnea and is caused by a partial airway blockage. It’s a warning sign for a more serious ,chronic health problem called Obstructive Sleep apnea which in turn can lead to severe health consequences.

Types of Sleep Apnea:

• Central Sleep Apnea is considered a relatively rare neurological problem in which the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing leading to a situation where the person won’t breathe.
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea refers to an airway obstruction problem in which the size of the airway is diminished because of tongue placement, tissue swelling or other anatomical variations where the person can’t breathe. Weight gain, sleep posture, and aging may be additional contributing factors.
• Mixed Apnea: This is when people have a combination of Central and obstructive sleep apnea.

Snoring And Sleep Apnea | Health Risks & Awareness

Sleep Disorders

It has been estimated that nearly 60 million people in the United States suffer from irregular and interrupted sleep periods. The lack of adequate sleep has been associated with a variety of symptoms and medical issues, the most common of which is daytime fatigue and sleepiness which affects your quality of life. Other complaints include:

• Habitual Snoring or heavy breathing
• Early morning headaches
• Heavy sweating during sleep
• Acid Reflux during Sleep
• Teeth grinding and clenching during sleep
• Poor concentration
• Multiple night awakenings-due to choking or gasping for breath or frequent urination
• Personality or mood changes, irritability and depression
• Sleep partner disruption resulting from snoring and excessive movement.
• Low libido and impotence
• Increase your risk or worsen other co-morbidities like Diabetes, Hypertension, Stroke, Heart Attack just to name a few.

Research has shown statistical correlations between sleep deprivation and cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastroenterological, neurological, endocrinological, musculoskeletal, otolaryngological, urological and psychological abnormalities.

There are over 96 Sleep disorders but the most commonly recognized sleep disorders are:

INSOMNIA

Insomnia is habitual sleeplessness or persistent problems falling and staying asleep. Most cases of insomnia are related to poor sleep habits, depression, anxiety, lack of exercise, chronic illness, or certain medications.

SNORING

Snoring is a socially unacceptable behavior. Severe snorers are often kicked out of the bedroom by a frustrated spouse. A person that snores may be embarrassed to go on a group camping trip or share a hotel room with a friend. Snoring is often the most common sign of Sleep Apnea and is caused by a partial airway blockage WHERE THE SOUNDS ARE MADE WHEN AIR PASSES THROUGH THE AIRWAY AND CAUSES THROAT TISSUE TO VIBRATE. Despite the noise, the oxygen levels are normal. It’s a warning sign for a more serious ,chronic health problem called Obstructive Sleep apnea which in turn can lead to severe health consequences.

UPPER AIRWAY RESISTANCE SYNDROME( UARS)

Narrow or partially collapsed airway passages make it harder to draw air into the lungs, so the body has to work harder to get oxygen. Oxygen levels are normal or nearly normal but the effort created by reduced airflow through the airway leads to non-refreshing sleep, daytime sleepiness, fatigue and lack of energy.

PERIODIC LIMB MOVEMENT DISORDERS (PLMD):

While this is not considered a sleep-related breathing disorder ,it can be diagnosed from lab-based sleep studies, and focuses primarily on arm and leg movements associated with sleep disruption. Research now shows jaw movement and jaw-related muscle activity during sleep as a possible movement disorder associated with arousals. Bruxism is the technical term for grinding horizontally while Clenching is forcing teeth together vertically. Bruxism and Clenching can be disastrous for your teeth. Aside from the typical jaw joint pain & frequent headaches , this condition can literally destroy the teeth over time and has been associated with Obstructive Sleep apnea.