Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleeping disorders affecting millions of people each year. Sleep apnea can have a tremendous affect on the quality and length of sleep each night usually resulting in constant fatigue, lower productivity, and result in moodiness that can damage personal relationships. Here is some information regarding sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder where the sufferer stops breathing during the night causing the internal instinct for him or her to wake up momentarily. Many people that suffer from sleep apnea have a blockage in their throat or mouth such as their tongue or a loose esophagus wall that blocks the airwaves. People that suffer from sleep apnea can stop breathing dozens of times each night. A person might stop breathing for only a few seconds or more than a minute. Each time the person wakes up in order to catch his or her breath. Because the person suffering from sleep apnea is constantly awoken during the night the quality and length of sleep is very poor leading to fatigue and possibly other health problems.

Sleep apnea can be treated fairly well with a device called a CPAP. A CPAP stands for continuous positive air pressure and it is a device that looks like a mask that you wear during sleep. This device maintains an open airway and pumps air into the lungs. While slightly uncomfortable at first to wear, most sufferers are able to return to quality and lengthy sleep with the device. If you think you are suffering from sleep apnea, it is advisable that you consult with your physician.