Sleep Apnea (Apnoea), also known as Sleep-Disordered breathing , is a serious sleep disorder that is recognised by one's breathing being interrupted during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during sleep, sometimes hundreds of times, resulting in insufficient rest and consequently tiredness and fatigue.

Sleep Apnea from a Sufferer's Personal Perspective:

Hi! I suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (or Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome), and have for the last five years, and I can tell you, don't despair, there is life with sleep apnea!

I know all about falling asleep in the middle of a conversation, or at my desk at work (did I mention I snore?) and spending weekends sleeping, being exhausted all the time and having people think you are just plain lazy and bone idle.

I hadn't seen a whole movie through in a long time. People were either laughing at me or embarrassed for me. I was eventually retrenched from a very good job two years ago and draw a small pension, but the difference is I now have a zest for life like I remember in my twenties!

There are so many ways to improve your life in spite of sleep disorders such as Sleep Apnea, and some you're going to smile at, like singing or didgeridoo lessons (which strengthen your throat muscles, not so weird!).

There are home remedies, machines, oral and dental devices, homeopathic or natural remedies, even surgery and of course just ordinary common sense.

Definition: Sleep Apnea, also known as Sleep-Disordered breathing or Cheyne-Stokes breathing, is a serious sleep disorder that is recognised by one's breathing being interrupted during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during sleep, sometimes hundreds of times, resulting in insufficient rest and consequently tiredness and fatigue.

Two distinct types of sleep apnea are Obstructive Sleep Apnea, caused by soft tissue in the back of the throat collapsing and blocking the airway during sleep, and Central Sleep Apnea, when the brain doesn't signal the muscles to breathe because of instability in the respiratory control centre.
 

First let's determine the possibility of you having sleep apnea. Here you may want to check with your family or partner, as when you're asleep you don't always know what's happening, and you're hardly likely to fall asleep in the doctor's consulting room! I have woken up at night gasping for breath, sitting straight up and trembling, so for me it wasn't a stretch.

Sleep Apnea and Snoring

Snoring is the first and most obvious sign of sleep apnea. It is disruptive and annoying for everyone, and prevents deep healthy sleep. I used to hate sleeping away from home as the breakfast conversation was inevitably my snoring, but as soon as your throat stays open during sleep the snoring stops and everyone sleeps better.  

Symptoms  and Risk factors will ring bells for you and your family, and though each may apply to large groups of people, together they are good reasons to check it out .

A sleep study at a sleep clinic is one of the best ways to achieve a proper diagnosis, or there are oximetry tests (to determine oxygen levels) one can do at home.
 

Effects of this sleep disorder can be uncomfortable and embarrassing at best, life-threatening at worst.
 

There are numerous treatments for sleep apnea

Common sense strategies  are available for everyone from insomnia to severe sleep apnea.

Homeopathic or natural remedies are worth investigating to make it easier to get to sleep and sleep well.


CPAP machines (continuous positive airway pressure) do help those with more severe symptoms and are most often prescribed.

Surgery to correct sleep apnea is an option for certain sufferers, but oral and dental devices or prostheses (see navigation panel left) are not expensive, easier to adapt to and easily found.

Moderate lifestyle changes and a different attitude can improve the quality of your life immensely and that of your family, friends and work environment.

The better you feel, the better you live!   Healthy sleeping!