The Hidden Risks of Snoring
Always feeling tired? Crave a daily nap? Find it difficult to concentrate? You could be suffering from OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea). Obstructive apnea (or apnoea) is a common affliction that affects thousands of people every night causing excessive snoring and sometimes even choking.
How Serious is Sleep Apnea?
If you’ve ever slept next to someone who snores you will know just how irritating it can be! However, a common side effect of sleep apnea is excessive snoring and this can be much more serious.
When we are asleep, our airways relax and start to narrow causing snoring. In people with apnea, the airway can completely close over causing it to become blocked which in turn starves the body of oxygen.
Once the brain realises that the body isn’t breathing, it sends a shot of adrenalin to alert the body to wake up. We then take a deep breath (or loud snort) and go back to sleep. The cycle then repeats and can occur several hundred times a night – exhausting!
How do You Know if You Suffer From it?
Some common signs are:
- Excessive snoring
- A choking sensation or waking with a loud snort
- You appear to stop breathing
- Frequent night visits to the bathroom
- Continual lack of energy
- Poor concentration and short term memory
What is Important About it?
The quality of your sleep is more important than quantity. The reason that most people with apnea are always tired is that their body is still fatigued the next morning as a result of poor quality sleep. It’s also important to consider that the heath of your partner may also be affected by continually interrupted sleep.
Health risks directly linked with apnea include:
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Dementia
How is it Treated?
The most effective treatment is with a CPAP or APAP machine which delivers pressurised air through a tube and mask to your face. The airways are held open by the higher air pressure providing a much better quality, uninterrupted and restorative sleep.
How Will the Treatment Improve my Life?
You will likely find that you have a completely new lease on life and look forward to waking up each day! You will be able to arrange a free consultation to provide you with information about taking a sleep test and the different kind of treatment options available to you including equipment rental. Choosing a better quality of life has never been easier!
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