sleepapnea-23

Sleep Apnea
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Stop Snoring And Get A Good Night's Sleep
Author: Scott Michaels -
When most people think of snoring, they think of it as an almost humorous nuisance. But snoring can have very serious effects on the quality of your life and your health.

Snoring has several causes. A cold or other infection can make breathing difficult and cause the sound of snoring as the sleeping person struggles to draw air through blocked nasal passages and throat.

Sometimes snoring is the result of a medical condition, such as swollen tonsils and adenoids (lymphoid tissues located at the back of the throat).

Snoring can also be caused by a misshapen wall separating the nasal cavity, called a deviated nasal septum, or a growth in the cavity, called a nasal polyp, both of which cause nasal blockages.

Snoring can also occur when flabby throat muscles are drawn into the airway, particularly when muscular control is overly relaxed by alcohol, drugs, or deep sleep.

The larger the tissues in your soft palate, the more likely you are to snore while sleeping. Alcohol or sedatives taken shortly before sleep also promote snoring. These drugs cause greater relaxation of the tissues in your throat and mouth.

Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but people who have sleep apnea typically do snore loudly and frequently. Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder, and its hallmark is loud, frequent snoring linked to intermittent brief pauses in breathing while sleeping.

Even if you don't experience these breathing pauses, snoring can still be a problem for you as well as for your bed partner. The increased breathing effort associated with snoring can impair your sleep quality and lead to many of the same health consequences as sleep apnea.

Treating chronic congestion and refraining from alcohol or sedatives before sleeping can also stop snoring. In some adults, snoring can be relieved by dental appliances that reposition the soft tissues in the mouth.

Although numerous over-the-counter nasal strips and sprays claim to relieve snoring, no scientific evidence supports those claims.

Tips for a sound night's sleep: relax before bed and try not to worry about whether or not you will be able to sleep, avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol before bedtime as caffeine can keep you awake and alcohol can cause you to wake up during the night (try a hot milky drink instead).

Try not to nap in the afternoon or early evening, try to take some exercise in the late afternoon or early evening , but make sure you are finished at least three hours before bedtime.

Try to avoid disrupting your regular sleeping pattern (this will help your body clock to know when it's time to sleep)

Try wearing an eyemask or earplugs to help block out noise and light which can may be affecting your sleep.

Article Source : http://www.articledashboard.com

Find out how to stop snoring and improve your health.

...

sleepapnea-22

Sleep Apnea
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Medical and Surgical Treatments Available for Sleep Apnea Suffers
Author: Heather Colman
Few drug-based treatments of obstructive sleep apnea are known despite over two decades of research and tests.

Oral administration of the methylxanthine theophylline (chemically similar to caffeine) can reduce the number of episodes of apnea, but can also produce side effects such as palpitations and insomnia. Theophylline is generally ineffective in adults with OSA, but is sometimes used to treat Central Sleep Apnea, and infants and children with apnea.

In earlier years, some neuroactive drugs, particularly a couple of the modern-generation antidepressants including mirtazapine, have been reported to reduce incidences of obstructive sleep apnea. As of 2004, these are not yet frequently prescribed for OSA sufferers.

When other treatments do not completely treat the OSA, drugs are sometimes prescribed to treat a patient's daytime sleepiness or somnolence. These range from stimulants such as amphetamines to modern anti-narcoleptic medicines.

In some cases, weight loss will reduce the number and severity of apnea episodes, but for most patients overweight is an aggravating factor rather than the cause of OSA. In the morbidly obese a major loss of weight, such as occurs after bariatric surgery, can sometimes cure the condition.

Neurostimulation
Many researchers believe that OSA is a neurological condition, in which nerves that control the tongue and soft palate fail to sufficiently stimulate those muscles, leading to over-relaxation and airway blockage.

A few experiments and trial studies have explored the use of pacemakers and similar devices, programmed to detect breathing effort and deliver gentle electrical stimulation to the muscles of the tongue. This is not a common mode of treatment for OSA patients, but it is an active field of research.

Surgical Intervention
A number of different surgeries are often tried to improve the size or tone of the patient's airway. For decades, tracheostomy was the only effective treatment for sleep apnea. It is used today only in very rare, intractable cases that have withstood other attempts at treatment.

Modern treatments try one or more of several options, tailored to the patient's needs. Often the long term success rate is low, prompting many doctors to favor CPAP as the treatment of choice.

* Nasal surgery, including turbinectomy (removal or reduction of a nasal turbinate), or straightening of the nasal septum, in patients with nasal obstruction or congestion which reduces airway pressure and complicates OSA.

* Tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy in an attempt to increase the size of the airway.

* Removal or reduction of parts of the soft palate and some or all of the uvula, such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty or laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty. Variations of this procedure sometimes use radio frequency waves to heat and remove tissue.

* Reduction of the tongue base, either with laser excision or radio frequency ablation.

* Genioglossus Advancement, in which a small portion of the lower jaw which attaches to the tongue is moved forward, to pull the tongue away from the back of the airway.

* Hyoid Suspension, in which the hyoid bone in the neck, another attachment point for tongue muscles, is pulled forward in front of the larynx.

* Maxillomandibular advancement. A more invasive surgery usually only tried in difficult cases where other surgeries have not relieved the patient's OSA, or where an abnormal facial structure is suspected as a root cause.

In MMA, the patient's upper and lower jaw are detached from the skull, moved forward, and reattached with pins and/or plates.

* Pillar procedure, three small inserts are injected into the soft palate to offer support, reducing snoring and sleep apnea.

The type of surgery is necessary for you will depend on the severity of your sleep apnea. Explore all the possibilities with your doctor.

Article Source : http://www.articledashboard.com

This article is Copyright © 2006, Heather Colman. Permission is granted to reprint this article as long as no changes are made, and this entire resource box is included. Find more sleep apnea resources at sleep-apnea-news.info .

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sleepapnea-21

Sleep Apnea
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Is Sleep Apnea Killing Your Marriage ?
Author: Ann Robinette
Sleep Apnea or Obstructive Sleep Apnea as it is sometimes called, usually involves loud snoring as one of the symptoms. Anyone that has ever slept with a snoring partner knows that it can be seriously disruptive to one's own sleep. But what effect, long term, does it have on a marriage? It is a common situation in many marriages and apparently has more impact than many couples think.

Obviously the experience of sleeping with a loud snoring partner is not positive, but what can be done? This is the question that The Sleep Disorders Center at Rush University Medical Center recently set out to ask and hopefully solve. In doing so, they hope to save marriages that might be in danger of divorce due to this cronic, ongoing struggle to get enough rest at night....and all the interpersonal implications of not achieving a balanced level of sleep.

The Center is currently evaluating 10 couples in which the male has been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. The couples begin by completing surveys about sleepiness, marriage satisfaction and quality of life. After this step the couples spend the night in the Center's sleep lab where technicians determine each partner's quantity and quality of sleep.

Two weeks after these tests, and treatment, the couple repeats a night's sleep in the sleep lab for comparison purposes. The results have been very interesting and mostly positive.

According to press releases from the Center, the early results show that there is indeed a significant impact on the wife's quality and quantity of sleep. It is termed a serious problem that does indeed lead to a hostile and tense situation within the marriage.

In one example cited, the husband's snoring was arousing the wife out of sleep over eight times an hour. Her sleep efficiency rating (the percentage of time she was actually asleep) was 73%. The average person's sleep efficiency is closer to 90%.

In this example, the wife had attempted to use ear plugs, earphones and had finally given up and started to sleep alone.

To treat the husband, the Center used a device known as a continuous positive airway pressure machine (CPAP). This machine is non-invasive and the flow of air it delivers prevents the upper airway from collapsing during sleep, allowing the lungs to perform normally.

In this particular case, the wife's quality of life measure jumped from a 1.2 to a 7.0, indicating that the snoring had been alleviated and was no longer significantly bothering her. Her sleepiness scale (how tired she felt) dropped from 12 to a 6. Marital Satisfaction scores improved from a 3 to 5.8 and the wife's sleep efficiency moved up from 73% to 82%.

Obviously on every level, this treatment had made great strides for the couple and showed promise in other situations.

The Rush Center is continuing tests expected to be completed in April 2006. The Center will evaluate the results and expand on the information being provided to the public.

Their press release is very specific about the measures taken as each couple enters the program. As stated "...both the husband and wife undergo simultaneous polysomonography, a sleep test that monitors brain activity, eye movements, muscle activity, heart rate and rhythms, breathing patterns, blood oxygen level and body movements and respiratory sounds. All sensors are noninvasive and do not cause pain or discomfort.

The study involves first diagnosing the sleep apnea. The husband will sleep alone in the center as technicians monitor his sleep. If he has sufficient sleep apnea, he will undergo a split night study to determine the appropriate CPAP treatment.

Sleep apnea is a serious health problem that should be treated. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the tissue in the back of the throat collapses and blocks the airway. The breathing pause lasts at least 10 seconds and can occur 10 or more times an hour. Apnea lowers the oxygen level in the blood leaving the patient vulnerable to hypertension, stroke and other cardiovascular problems.

Obstructive sleep apnea can occur in men and women of any age; however, it is most common in obese, middle-aged men. The most common signs of sleep apnea are loud snoring, choking or gasping during sleep, and fighting sleepiness during the day. In addition to continuous positive airway pressure, treatment includes losing weight, sleeping on your side instead of your back, avoiding alcohol and tobacco."
For more information go to www.sleep-apnea-facts.com.

copyright 2006 ann robinette

Article Source : http://www.articledashboard.com

The author has sleep apnea and writes articles of interest to others struggling with the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. For more information go to www.sleep-apnea-facts.com .

...

sleepapnea-21

Sleep Apnea
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Is Sleep Apnea Killing Your Marriage ?
Author: Ann Robinette
Sleep Apnea or Obstructive Sleep Apnea as it is sometimes called, usually involves loud snoring as one of the symptoms. Anyone that has ever slept with a snoring partner knows that it can be seriously disruptive to one's own sleep. But what effect, long term, does it have on a marriage? It is a common situation in many marriages and apparently has more impact than many couples think.

Obviously the experience of sleeping with a loud snoring partner is not positive, but what can be done? This is the question that The Sleep Disorders Center at Rush University Medical Center recently set out to ask and hopefully solve. In doing so, they hope to save marriages that might be in danger of divorce due to this cronic, ongoing struggle to get enough rest at night....and all the interpersonal implications of not achieving a balanced level of sleep.

The Center is currently evaluating 10 couples in which the male has been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. The couples begin by completing surveys about sleepiness, marriage satisfaction and quality of life. After this step the couples spend the night in the Center's sleep lab where technicians determine each partner's quantity and quality of sleep.

Two weeks after these tests, and treatment, the couple repeats a night's sleep in the sleep lab for comparison purposes. The results have been very interesting and mostly positive.

According to press releases from the Center, the early results show that there is indeed a significant impact on the wife's quality and quantity of sleep. It is termed a serious problem that does indeed lead to a hostile and tense situation within the marriage.

In one example cited, the husband's snoring was arousing the wife out of sleep over eight times an hour. Her sleep efficiency rating (the percentage of time she was actually asleep) was 73%. The average person's sleep efficiency is closer to 90%.

In this example, the wife had attempted to use ear plugs, earphones and had finally given up and started to sleep alone.

To treat the husband, the Center used a device known as a continuous positive airway pressure machine (CPAP). This machine is non-invasive and the flow of air it delivers prevents the upper airway from collapsing during sleep, allowing the lungs to perform normally.

In this particular case, the wife's quality of life measure jumped from a 1.2 to a 7.0, indicating that the snoring had been alleviated and was no longer significantly bothering her. Her sleepiness scale (how tired she felt) dropped from 12 to a 6. Marital Satisfaction scores improved from a 3 to 5.8 and the wife's sleep efficiency moved up from 73% to 82%.

Obviously on every level, this treatment had made great strides for the couple and showed promise in other situations.

The Rush Center is continuing tests expected to be completed in April 2006. The Center will evaluate the results and expand on the information being provided to the public.

Their press release is very specific about the measures taken as each couple enters the program. As stated "...both the husband and wife undergo simultaneous polysomonography, a sleep test that monitors brain activity, eye movements, muscle activity, heart rate and rhythms, breathing patterns, blood oxygen level and body movements and respiratory sounds. All sensors are noninvasive and do not cause pain or discomfort.

The study involves first diagnosing the sleep apnea. The husband will sleep alone in the center as technicians monitor his sleep. If he has sufficient sleep apnea, he will undergo a split night study to determine the appropriate CPAP treatment.

Sleep apnea is a serious health problem that should be treated. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the tissue in the back of the throat collapses and blocks the airway. The breathing pause lasts at least 10 seconds and can occur 10 or more times an hour. Apnea lowers the oxygen level in the blood leaving the patient vulnerable to hypertension, stroke and other cardiovascular problems.

Obstructive sleep apnea can occur in men and women of any age; however, it is most common in obese, middle-aged men. The most common signs of sleep apnea are loud snoring, choking or gasping during sleep, and fighting sleepiness during the day. In addition to continuous positive airway pressure, treatment includes losing weight, sleeping on your side instead of your back, avoiding alcohol and tobacco."
For more information go to www.sleep-apnea-facts.com.

copyright 2006 ann robinette

Article Source : http://www.articledashboard.com

The author has sleep apnea and writes articles of interest to others struggling with the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. For more information go to www.sleep-apnea-facts.com .

...

sleepapnea-20

Sleep Apnea
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Excessive Snoring & What It Could Mean To You
Author: Alan Schill -
It may be difficult to know whether you suffer from typical or excessive snoring. A large part of the problem comes from the fact that it can be difficult to diagnose your own snoring habits while you are asleep. Perhaps the most useful information would come from a spouse, who may be awoken through the night as a result of the snoring. He/she will be more familiar with your snoring and may be able to offer an opinion as to whether they notice excessive snoring.

So, just what is excessive snoring? Perhaps it could best be defined as repetitive, loud, disruptive and continual. Regular snoring is often the result of the airway passages becoming restricted through the night. This is generally caused by the fatty tissues relaxing in the back of the throat and causing a vibration, which is snoring. Excessive snoring, however, may be a sign of something much more serious. In fact, excessive snoring is a direct symptom of sleep apnea. Sufferers of this disorder actually stop breathing on more than one occasion during the night. This results from the airways becoming completely blocked and, if left untreated, sleep apnea may lead to heart disease, a stroke or other serious medical problem.

If you suffer from excessive snoring, it may be time to consider visiting the doctor for a proper diagnosis. If it is determined that you have sleep apnea, you may need treatment to prevent the disorder from causing further problems. If you simply suffer from excessive snoring, there may be various snoring remedies that can curb your nighttime nuisance. Among them, sleeping on your side instead of your back, ridding your home of allergens, losing weight if previously diagnosed with obesity, giving up cigarettes and alcohol, etc. In addition, some anti-snoring devices may be able to stop snoring immediately. One such device, known as the Sleep Genie, is doctor approved and comfortably supports the jaw while keeping the mouth closed during sleep. It is virtually impossible to snore with your mouth closed, which is why the Sleep Genie is popular among snoring sufferers. It is important to remember that the Sleep Genie is not intended to cure sleep apnea, but rather help to eliminate snoring and add better quality sleep.

This article is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be used as, or in place of, professional medical advice. Before beginning any treatment for snoring, please consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and remedy.

One of the most effective ways to cure sleep apnea is through weight loss. Obesity is one of the leading causes of sleep apnea and, therefore, is a large part of it's cure. By beginning a well-balanced program consisting of diet and exercise, you will not only be helping to cure sleep apnea, but also taking a big step toward warding off future illnesses associated with obesity.

It is important to remember that only a physician can properly diagnose sleep apnea. This is confirmed through a series of questions and possibly a sleep study, which is when the patient spends the night at a sleep center where there breathing patterns are monitored. After every possible attempt to cure sleep apnea has proven unsuccessful, a physician may recommend surgery. Before electing for surgery, the patient should be aware of all risks associated with the procedure. At the same time, it is very important to cure sleep apnea or suffer the increased risks of heart disease, stroke and other serious illnesses. Many physicians will recommend use of a device called a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device, which provides continual air pressure for the sufferer throughout the night. Some users of the CPAP machine find additional comfort with the Sleep Genie, which helps the mouth to remain closed and prevents the escape of the CPAP air treatments. While not intended as a cure for sleep apnea, the Sleep Genie often provides for better quality sleep to sufferers.

This article is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be used as, or in place of, professional medical advice. Before beginning any treatment for snoring, please consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and remedy.

Article Source : http://www.articledashboard.com

A new anti-snoring scientific breakthrough is rapidly changing the lives of ex-snorers… because the first night you use it, it stops snoring! Visit SleepGenie.com for more information!

...

sleepapnea-20

Sleep Apnea
Back To Snippet
Back To SITEMAP

Excessive Snoring & What It Could Mean To You
Author: Alan Schill -
It may be difficult to know whether you suffer from typical or excessive snoring. A large part of the problem comes from the fact that it can be difficult to diagnose your own snoring habits while you are asleep. Perhaps the most useful information would come from a spouse, who may be awoken through the night as a result of the snoring. He/she will be more familiar with your snoring and may be able to offer an opinion as to whether they notice excessive snoring.

So, just what is excessive snoring? Perhaps it could best be defined as repetitive, loud, disruptive and continual. Regular snoring is often the result of the airway passages becoming restricted through the night. This is generally caused by the fatty tissues relaxing in the back of the throat and causing a vibration, which is snoring. Excessive snoring, however, may be a sign of something much more serious. In fact, excessive snoring is a direct symptom of sleep apnea. Sufferers of this disorder actually stop breathing on more than one occasion during the night. This results from the airways becoming completely blocked and, if left untreated, sleep apnea may lead to heart disease, a stroke or other serious medical problem.

If you suffer from excessive snoring, it may be time to consider visiting the doctor for a proper diagnosis. If it is determined that you have sleep apnea, you may need treatment to prevent the disorder from causing further problems. If you simply suffer from excessive snoring, there may be various snoring remedies that can curb your nighttime nuisance. Among them, sleeping on your side instead of your back, ridding your home of allergens, losing weight if previously diagnosed with obesity, giving up cigarettes and alcohol, etc. In addition, some anti-snoring devices may be able to stop snoring immediately. One such device, known as the Sleep Genie, is doctor approved and comfortably supports the jaw while keeping the mouth closed during sleep. It is virtually impossible to snore with your mouth closed, which is why the Sleep Genie is popular among snoring sufferers. It is important to remember that the Sleep Genie is not intended to cure sleep apnea, but rather help to eliminate snoring and add better quality sleep.

This article is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be used as, or in place of, professional medical advice. Before beginning any treatment for snoring, please consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and remedy.

One of the most effective ways to cure sleep apnea is through weight loss. Obesity is one of the leading causes of sleep apnea and, therefore, is a large part of it's cure. By beginning a well-balanced program consisting of diet and exercise, you will not only be helping to cure sleep apnea, but also taking a big step toward warding off future illnesses associated with obesity.

It is important to remember that only a physician can properly diagnose sleep apnea. This is confirmed through a series of questions and possibly a sleep study, which is when the patient spends the night at a sleep center where there breathing patterns are monitored. After every possible attempt to cure sleep apnea has proven unsuccessful, a physician may recommend surgery. Before electing for surgery, the patient should be aware of all risks associated with the procedure. At the same time, it is very important to cure sleep apnea or suffer the increased risks of heart disease, stroke and other serious illnesses. Many physicians will recommend use of a device called a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device, which provides continual air pressure for the sufferer throughout the night. Some users of the CPAP machine find additional comfort with the Sleep Genie, which helps the mouth to remain closed and prevents the escape of the CPAP air treatments. While not intended as a cure for sleep apnea, the Sleep Genie often provides for better quality sleep to sufferers.

This article is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be used as, or in place of, professional medical advice. Before beginning any treatment for snoring, please consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and remedy.

Article Source : http://www.articledashboard.com

A new anti-snoring scientific breakthrough is rapidly changing the lives of ex-snorers… because the first night you use it, it stops snoring! Visit SleepGenie.com for more information!

...