Cure your snoring problem: When to Seek Medical Attention for Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious medical problem and should never be brushed aside as being nothing more than an annoyance. An estimated twelve to eighteen million individuals in the United States suffer from sleep apnea. This works out to be approximately four percent of men and two percent of women, most of whom are middle aged and overweight. Sleep apnea affects children as well but is less rare than it is in adults. It is believed that sleep apnea is almost as widespread across the nation as is other serious diseases such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease.

OSA comes about as a result of repeated episodes of airway obstruction during sleep. Men and women who are considered to be what is known as the “diagnostic criteria for OSA” means that they have on average ten bouts of sleep apnea occurrences (or what is often called apneic events) in the course of one hour’s time.

You should get in touch with your physician right away if either yourself or your spouse or sleeping partner experiences loud, habitual snoring followed by excessive sleepiness during the day coupled with a lack of concentration and memory. If you make note of the alarming fact that your spouse experiences cessation of breathing during the night or other symptoms such as gasping or choking then it is time to schedule a visit to the doctor’s office. If you have the recurring tendency to fall asleep throughout the day and/or at inappropriate periods of time, for example while you are working, eating or even driving then the condition is serious enough to warrant medical attention. The latter can prove deadly for yourself and others.

Since sleep apnea can occur in children as well it is important to pay attention to your child’s sleeping habits. Does he or she have a problem with breathing throughout the night? Does he snore or sleep less than soundly? Does he wake up many times in the night and feel tired during the day? If yes then your child may very likely be suffering from sleep apnea and medical intervention is necessary.

Sometimes what is known, as “watchful waiting” is needed. What this means is that you play a game of “wait-and-see.” If for whatever reason your symptoms improve on their own then that’s good news and nothing further is needed. However if your symptoms worsen you will need to seek out your doctor and he or she can help map out the best treatment for your condition. If you snore then watchful waiting might be exactly what you need especially if you don’t find yourself extremely tired or drowsy throughout the daytime. Snoring is not always a sign of sleep apnea as snoring sometimes exists on its own. Immediate medical intervention as opposed to watchful waiting is what the doctor ordered if you snore often and heavily, if you experience restless bouts throughout the night, if you stop breathing during intervals throughout the night and if you find yourself feeling unrefreshed when you wake and groggy during the workday.

Cure your snoring problem

Sunday, July 5, 2009

When to Seek Medical Attention for Sleep Apnea

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