Thursday, January 8, 2009

Sleep Apnea : Types & Causes

  • Why call it Sleep Apnea?

It actually takes its name from the Greek word apnea, which literally means "without breath".

Sleep apnea is a serious sleeping disorder that people will temporarily stop breathing during their sleep. The stop ("without breath") can last of 10 seconds, a minute or even longer as the airway is being obstructed. It can happen from 20 - 30 within an hour to a few hundred times during a single might sleep.

  • How many people with Sleep Apnea in the States?

According to the National Institutes of Health, Sleep Apnea is very common and affects more than 12 million people in the United States.

  • How to know if I have a Sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disruption of breathing during sleep or "without breath" repeatedly during asleep. Over 90% of people with sleep apnea do not know they have sleep apnea. It is usually their bed partner first notices the person struggling to breathe.

  • Is Sleeping Apnea affect only adults?

No, children can have Sleep Apnea.

Adults with Sleep Apnea will temporarily stop breathing ("without breath") for at least 10 seconds, while in children, the "without breathing" can last about 2 1/2 missed breaths.

  • Is Sleeping Apnea treatable?

Yes, Sleep Apnea is treatable, however it is often undiagnosed. Accordingly to a survey, at least 10 million people in the United States have unrecognized Sleep Apnea.

  • What are the effects if left Sleep Apnea untreated?

If left untreated, it can be life-threatening It can also have significant consequences such as motor vehicles crashes, high blood pressure, other cardiovascular disease, erectile dysfunction (impotence), poor memory, short temper, headaches sore throat or dry mouth in the morning.
While children with untreated Sleep Apnea may be hyperactive.

  • What are the types of Sleep Apneas?

There are 3 types of Sleep Apnea:

  1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) - Most common type
  2. Central Sleep Apnea - Most
  3. Mixed Sleep Apnea

  • What are the causes?

Sleep Apnea can be caused by either a complete blockage of the airway (called Obstructive Apnea) or by a partial blockage (called Obstructive hypopnea, where hypopnea is a shallow breathing).

More information on Sleep Apnea, Insomnia, Snoring, Sleep Disorders, please visit http://sleepapnea-insomnia.blogspot.com

Article Source: EzineArticles.com



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