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Posts Tagged ‘Shortness Of Breath’

Is Snoring a Symptom of Sleep Apnea?

August 8th, 2010 No comments

Sleep apnea is a common problem that affects about 12 million Americans. A common co-symptom is snoring, and some people refer to this as sleep apnea snoring. . It is not uncommon for sleep apnea sufferers to have up to 30 episodes of apnea an hour. Snorting, choking, and snoring are typical to people with sleep apnea.

It is common in men and older people, although women and children can also be diagnosed with it. Because of the nature of the condition, people with sleep apnea are normally not aware of their sleeping irregularities. In fact, it is said that 80 to 90% of people with sleep apnea are undiagnosed. Usually, it is their bed partners who notice their condition.

There are two common types of sleep apnea. The more common is called obstructive sleep apnea and involves a blocked airway.   The blockage to the airways leads the person to gasp or snort. The oxygen level decreases, while carbon dioxide level increases. This then stimulates the brain to normalize the breathing process and prompts the person to wake up and to open the airway by adjusting the tongue and throat muscles. Normal breathing then ensues followed usually by loud snoring. The person, however, may neither remember being awake for a short time nor be aware of his gasps for air.

The other type is called central sleep apnea , which is caused by the brain’s delayed signals to the breathing muscles. Breathing stops and oxygen level begins to drop. Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea is less common. It is a central nervous system disorder and can result from an injury or disease that involves the brainstem. This can be in the form of stroke and brain tumor, among other things.

Though some people with central sleep apnea may not usually snore, they may experience shortness of breath. Both types have different causes, but their effects are the same: low level of oxygen in the brain, poor sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and even depression. They can also contribute to high blood pressure and heart irregularities when the oxygen reaches a dangerously low level. Additionally, this condition is known to put strains on relationships because of the loud snoring that can cause sleep deprivation. The partner is also very keen to know how to stop snoring at night.

Many sufferers are oblivious to their condition . However, if he suspects to having the condition, specially if he shows the symptoms, he can opt to document his sleeping patterns. For instance, he can ask his bed partner to journal episodes of breath pauses, snoring, choking, or snorting. Or if he sleeps alone, he can videotape himself sleeping and notice if there are irregularities . These observations would help determine if seeing a doctor or a sleep specialist is necessary. Upon diagnosis, the sleep specialist would recommend treatments or surgery depending on the harshness of the condition. But for minor sleep apnea, some behavioral treatments or lifestyle changes can be helpful. Examples are shunning of alcohol and tobacco, weight loss, and having regular sleep hours. Regardless  of your symptoms or progress, you should always seek professional help with your sleep apnea snoring.

How to Cure Sleep Panic Attacks

August 3rd, 2010 No comments

 Panic attacks are not limited to the daytime. Many people also suffer from sleep panic attacks.  Waking suddenly with a racing heart, shortness of breath, spasms and feeling sheer terror – sound familiar? While the attack may only last ten minutes or so, you are unable to sleep again until the early hours of the morning – maybe an hour or so before you have to get up and face another day.

Nocturnal or sleep panic attacks should not be confused with having a nightmare. They are a continuation of what haunts you during the day – anxiety. The same triggers that cause the onset of a daytime panic attack work on your subconscious at night too. Experts are at a loss to say exactly what causes panic attacks but they have very strong theories which include lifestyle choices, chemical imbalances in the brain and learned behaviour.

 Is there anything that can be done about them?  The first step is to get a complete physical examination.  The most common condition that is confused with nocturnal panic attacks is sleep apnea. This is the lack of air reaching your lungs because soft muscle tissue is blocking the airway while you are asleep.    This results in a sudden panicked awakening.  This disorder can cause symptoms similar to nocturnal panic attacks but it is a different condition altogether.

Once this, or any other physical cause has been ruled out, health care providers will look at your lifestyle choices. Habits which encourage sleep will be introduced – no coffee or alcohol in the later part of the day, no TV in the bedroom, no vigorous exercise before bed (except for sex, which produces endorphins in the brain. Endorphins are happy chemicals, so this is good). Herbal teas can be effective relaxants so a cup before bedtime can be beneficial.

 After this stage, treatment strategies are the same as those for day panic attacks.   It may be necessary to use sedatives temporarily as sleep disorders can be so destructive that proper healing cannot take place.  While taking sedatives is not ideal as they can be addictive and the sleep they induce is not quality sleep, at the beginning some sleep is better than none. The effects of a constant lack of sleep on our physical and mental health can be devastating.

A more favourable approach is that of cognitive behavioural therapy. This is where firstly thinking processes are modified which in turn leads to a change in behaviour. This approach is very successful but is not immediate – it can take weeks or months before there are results. The most successful treatment is that which follows a plan drawn up by your health care provider.

The best results have been obtained by a combination of all of the points we have discussed so far. What is important to know is that no-one need suffer from panic attacks – daytime or nightime. They are curable.

Detection and Management of Central Sleep Apnea

July 31st, 2010 No comments

Central sleep apnea is really a condition wherein you will find unexpected halts within breathing that is observed to be repeated through the duration of sleep. If someone is actually resting next to that suits you the spouse or a relative, they’ll be the one to notice if you’re experiencing this sort of condition. They’ll be stressed with how you inhale while resting. That’s the reason in the event that somebody will get your own attention as well as tells you which you sleep by doing this then you much better learn more about it as well as take action of what you could do to resolve this.

The primary cause of this sleeping problem is inside your mind particularly the mind originate. The main organ of the body that is the brain does not send correct signals to your respiratory system muscle tissue. Those who are extremely at risk for getting central sleep apnea tend to be anyone who has heart problems, stroke as well as brain growth that are associated with impairment in the capability of the mind to send indicators. Guys tend to be more inclined to develop this sort of problem compared to females and those who are taking opioids are extremely at risk.

You may need sleep apnea support whenever you experience signs and symptoms such as abnormal breathing patterns while asleep and when you all of a sudden wake up through the night due to this being interrupted. You might have a problem to go back to rest again and also the shortness of breath is happy whenever you try to sit up on your mattress. Due to the lack of sleep at night, you’ll makes up for it throughout the day also it can affect your projects and also the actions that you do throughout the day.

Whenever you experience this kind of problem whilst resting, you must consult your physician immediately, a number of queries will be requested and you will undergo various checks to correctly identify central sleep apnea. Via your consultation with a doctor, it is possible and to request some of your own worries and allow your companion or even somebody that have noticed the actual symptoms go with a person. This will also assist a doctor offer the right drugs as well as remedy to avoid any kind of problems.

CPAP machines for sleep apnea are employed because among the treatment because of this sleeping issue. CPAP means constant positive throat pressure where you will put on a cover up that’s attached to the device that will supply pressurised air and therefore regulates your breathing in while resting. You will be correctly advised as to how to use this. It may be unpleasant whilst sleeping but you will be familiar with it in time. However, in the event that this stops your rest, you are able to discuss it together with your doctor as well as adjustments can be made such as placing the cushion to provide you comfort and ease.

This resting issue will threaten your life if you will not seek medical attention instantly once you spot the signs and symptoms. It is better that you will ask the recommendation from the physician so that your sleeping pattern will not be disrupted and management can be done immediately.

Sleep apnea support is done to the patients clinically determined to have this sort of resting problem. Treatment is done immediately as soon as the thing is discovered using different techniques such as using CPAP equipment. To learn more about how this particular machine works, visit http://cpapsleepapnea.org/.