This May be the Answer to your Sleep Problem

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by a reduction or stopping of breathing and air flow during sleep. It is common among adults but is rare in children. An apnea is a period of time during which breathing stops or is significantly reduced. Simply put, an apnea occurs when a person stops breathing for ten seconds or more. Apneas usually occur during sleep. When an apnea occurs, sleep is disrupted. Sometimes this means the person wakes up completely, but sometimes this can mean the person comes out of a deep level of sleep. Apneas are usually measured during sleep over a two-hour period.

Types of Apnea

The three types of sleep apneas are central sleep apnea (CSA), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and mixed sleep apnea (a combination of the two).

During sleep, the brain instructs the muscles of breathing to take a breath. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain does not send the signal to the muscle to take a breath, and there is no muscular effort to take a breath. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the brain sends the signal to the muscles and the muscles make an effort to take a breath but are unsuccessful because the airway becomes obstructed and prevents the flow of air. The third type of sleep apnea, mixed sleep apnea, occurs when there is both central and obstructive sleep apnea.

CSA

CSA occurs when the brain does not send the signal to the muscles of breathing. This type of apnea usually occurs in infants or adults with heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, or congenital diseases, but CSA can also be caused by some medications and high altitudes.

CSA, when occurring in premature infants, is defined as apnea lasting more than 20 seconds, usually with a change in heart rate, a reduction in blood oxygen, or hypotonia (a general relaxation of the body’s muscles). CSA is not the same thing as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

OSA

People with obstructive sleep apnea have an airway that is more narrow than normal, usually at the base of the tongue and palate. When lying flat, the palate is above the air passage. When the pharyngeal muscles relax, the palate can fall backwards obstructing the airway. Patients with OSA often do not report waking up during the night.

OSA can cause the following medical problems (just to name a few):

· High blood pressure

· Heart problems

· Weight gain

· Constant tiredness

· Diabetes

· Slow metabolism

· Memory/concentration problems

· Depression

· Anxiety

· Sore throat

· Dry mouth

About the Author

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Panic Attacks During Sleep

Panic attacks and disorders are very scary, but having a panic attack while sleeping or otherwise known as nocturnal panic disorders has to go down as one of the most scariest experiences ever. Waking up suddenly in terror, feeling that you are losing breath and shaking all over is not just scary, but disturbing.

Unfortunately more and more people are suffering from panic attacks at night and during sleep and this is generally down to lifestyles. Stress and Anxiety is a huge part of panic disorders and with added working hours or daily stressful activities, the mind just doesn't rest. So, you go to sleep and a few hours in you are woken in terror as your brain and body just cannot handle anymore.

If you suffer from these, then you are certainly not alone, as this is a disorder that is becoming more and more common. What is needed now though, is action to prevent this happening because if it is left untreated or touched, it will only get worse and develop further.

To handle panic attacks during sleep you need to follow these points as strictly as possible:

1. Following a regular sleeping habit
2. Do not work during your bedtime hours
3. Don't think too much before bed
4. Don't eat before you sleep

These 4 issues are known to cause panic attacks during sleep because you go to sleep with your mind still working at a 100 miles an hour. So, relax, make sure you follow the above tips and you should be a step closer to handling your nocturnal panic attacks.

About the Author

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Original Source: panic attacks during sleep

Sleep Apnea Treatment

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea is recognized as a problem by others witnessing the individual during episodes or is suspected because of its effects on the body (sequelae). In sleep apnea, your breathing stops or gets very shallow while you are sleeping. Each pause in breathing typically lasts 10 to 20 seconds or more. These pauses can occur 20 to 30 times or more an hour. Symptoms may be present for years, even decades without identification, during which time the sufferer may become conditioned to the daytime sleepiness and fatigue associated with significant levels of sleep disturbance. In adults, the most typical individual with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is obese, with particular heaviness at the face and neck. The hallmark symptom of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in adults is excessive daytime sleepiness. Typically, an adult or adolescent with severe long-standing obstructive sleep apnea will fall asleep for very brief periods in the course of usual daytime activities if given any opportunity to sit or rest. Sleep apnea is recognized as a problem by others witnessing the individual during episodes or is suspected because of its effects on the body.

Sleep apnea is a common disorder that can be very serious. There are two distinct forms of sleep apnea: Central and Obstructive. Sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure and other cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain, impotency, and headaches. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common category of sleep-disordered breathing. The prevalence of OSA among the adult population in western Europe and North America. The hallmark symptom of the disorder is excessive daytime sleepiness. Additional symptoms of sleep apnea include restless sleep, loud snoring (with periods of silence followed by gasps), falling asleep during the day, morning headaches, trouble concentrating, irritability, forgetfulness, mood or behavior changes, anxiety, and depression. Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA). A more invasive surgery usually only tried in difficult cases where other surgeries have not relieved the patient's OSA. Apneas are usually measured during sleep (preferably in all stages of sleep) over a two-hour period.

Weight reduction and avoiding alcohol and sedatives may help some individuals. Surgery to remove excess tissue at the back of the throat , to remove enlarged tonsils or adenoids ,or to create an opening in the trachea to bypass the obstructed airway during sleep. Sleep Apnea in children where removing the tonsils or adenoids does not take care of the problem is usually treated with a C-PAP (continous positive airway pressure) or Bi-Level positive airway pressure. C-PAP is a machine that blows air into your nose via a nose mask, keeping the airway open and unobstructed. Bi-Level has an inspiratory pressure that is higher than the expiratory pressure. Some children have facial deformities that may cause the sleep apnea. Maxillomandibular advancement. In this procedure, the upper and lower part of your jaw is moved forward from the remainder of your face bones. Tracheostomy is used in persons with severe, life- threatening sleep apnea. Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) is done to eliminate snoring but has not been shown to be effective in treating sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea Treatment Tips

1. Behavioral Therapy-Is usually all that is needed for a mild case. It changes the person behavior towards the use of alcohol, tobacco which affects the airway.

2. Physical or Mechanical Therapy- The therapy provides air pressure to keep the airway from narrowing.

3. Surgery is considered only when other alternative therapy failed or if the patient volunteered to.

4. Avoid or at least limit alcohol intake.

5. Avoid or limit the use of tranquilizers, sleeping pills.

6. Avoid sleeping on your back.

7. Oxygen and medications may have adjunctive roles in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in some patients.

8. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, which removes excess tissue in the throat to make the airway wider.

9. Tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy, which removes the tonsils and/or the adenoids.

10. Tracheostomy, which creates a hole in the windpipe (trachea). A tube is then put in the hole to bring air in.

About the Author

Juliet Cohen writes articles for online medical clinic and skin disorders. For more information visit our site at http://www.diseasestreatment.com.