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Sleep is supposed
to be a rejuvenating experience. But this isn't so if you
have sleep apnea, a condition that causes you to stop breathing
over and over during sleep.
Sleep is supposed to be a rejuvenating experience. But this
isn't so if you have sleep apnea, a condition that causes you
to stop breathing over and over during sleep.
The majority of people with sleep apnea don't even realize
they have it. But if you suffer from this disorder, you may have
been told that you snore loudly and gasp for air when sleeping.
And you may be extremely sleepy during the day and have trouble
concentrating.
The importance of seeing a doctor when you suspect sleep apnea
goes beyond a good night's sleep. Research now shows that
sleep apnea significantly raises your risk of high blood
pressure.
Apnea's Effects on Heart
Health
One large study found that sleep apnea as much as tripled some
people's risk of developing high blood pressure. Another
study of more than 6.000 middle-aged and older men and women came
to similar conclusions: Sleep apnea sufferers had a 45% greater
risk of hypertension. People with sleep apnea may stop breathing
as often as 30 or more times every hour. Each breathing pause can
last anywhere from 10 seconds to one minute.
This disorder causes your blood pressure to rise
significantly during the night. And every time you stop
breathing, your blood is robbed of needed oxygen. Over time,
researchers think that sleep apnea may damage blood vessel walls,
which can lead to hypertension and other hearth problems.
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Self-Care and Treatment
Options
Men are more likely than women to have sleep apnea. The
disorder also is more common in people age 40 and older. Other
risk factors include:
- Excess weight
- A receding chin
- A thick neck, narrow windpipe, enlarged adenoids or tonsils,
or excess tissue in the throat
- Alcohol consumption
Mild sleep apnea may respond to self-care strategies. Try the
following measures:
- Avoid Alcohol— never take sedatives or sleeping pills.
These can keep you from waking up enough to breathe.
- Lose some weight, if you need to.
- Try not to sleep on your back. It can help to sew a tennis
ball into the back of your sleepwear. This can keep you from
rolling onto your back while sleeping.
People with moderate or severe sleep apnea may need
medical treatment. The most successful therapy is called nasal
continuous positive airway pressure. The sufferer wears a soft
plastic mask that covers the nose and is connected to an air
pressure generator. The gentle force of the pressurized airflow
helps keep airways open. According to studies, this therapy is
effective 95% of the time. Other treatments include mouth devices
worn during sleep to push the jaw forward and prevent airway
collapse. In addition, surgical procedures are available that can
help open up narrowed airways.
Call 815-625-0400, ext. 5687 today
to receive our free sleep center packet, which includes a sleep
diary, information about healthy sleeping, and forms to provide
to your primary care physician if you feel you may have a sleep
disorder.
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