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Posts Tagged ‘Stroke’

If You Suspect Sleep Apnoea

March 29th, 2011 No comments

Perhaps your partner has expressed concern at your snoring or other symptoms, or perhaps your doctor has suggested that you may be suffering from sleep apnoea. Either way, suspected sleep apnoea is not to be taken lightly. We’re talking about a disorder which can bring about some serious problems but which is vastly improved with some simple lifestyle changes.

of the thousands of sufferers in the UK, a great proportion is entirely unaware of their sleep apnoea. Normally the disorder affects people who are middle aged or older and who smoke or weigh more than they should. That said, it affects children, people of healthy weight and those who don’t smoke or drink too.

The condition means that breathing pauses whilst the suffer is asleep. In sleep apnoea sufferers these pauses last ten seconds or more. These pauses happen many times per hour. Whether breathing is interrupted or paused completely, the sufferer’s blood oxygen level is lowered and the heart rate increases in order to try and compensate and better transport oxygen around the blood. This is why sleep apnoea sufferers are prone to high blood pressure and will be more likely than the average person to develop a heart condition. Sleep apnoea sufferers are also more likely to have a stroke.

During these episodes the brain becomes aware that oxygen is not reaching the necessary places as efficiently as possible, or at all and steps in to ensure that breathing begins again. So the sufferer gasps, snores and snorts and will momentarily wake if necessary. This is the reason why so many sufferers snore loudly.

Few sleep apnoea sufferers are aware that they have been woken so many times through the night. But they normally feel the effects of having done so. It’s not uncommon for this interruption to the sleep to lead to tiredness, headaches, irritability and depression. Often these are simply exaggerated versions of the same symptoms we all feel when we are excessively tired. Sleep apnoea sufferers spend less time than is normal and needed in the deep and restorative phase of the sleep cycle and this is naturally going to impact upon their wellbeing.

If these symptoms sound familiar then you should seek the opinion of your doctor. Simple tests such as observing you as you sleep and monitoring your pulse and blood oxygen level can help to diagnose the problem. Remember too that despite the fact that we are talking about a serious disorder here, sleep apnoea responds very well to treatment and simple lifestyle changes are often al that is necessary. For instance, you may be advised to lose weight and avoid substances such as nicotine or alcohol before trying anything more serious.

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.

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/.