Sleep apnea is a serious condition that is far more common than generally understood. It was first described in 1965, and was characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. In Greek, the word "apnea" means, "want of breath." Generally, there are two types of sleep apnea: central and obstructive. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type and occurs when air cannot flow in or out of the nose or mouth although efforts to breathe continue. The less common type, central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send the appropriate signals to the breathing muscles that cause respirations.
In a given night, the number of involuntary breathing pauses or "apneic events" may be as high as 40 per hour. These pauses are almost can be accompanied by snoring, although not everyone who snores has this condition. In addition to snoring, sleep apnea can also be characterized by choking sensations. The frequent interruptions of deep, restorative sleep leads to early morning headaches, excessive daytime sleepiness, and irritability.
Early recognition and treatment of sleep apnea is important because it is a potentially life-threatening condition. Sleep Apnea can be associated with irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. Get diagnosed, and get treatment today.
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