Sleep
Apnea Treatment
What
is Sleep Apnea?
Those
of us with Sleep Apnea, stop breathing while we are sleeping.
We wake from this condition in many cases by gasping for air.
Sometimes we wake up hundreds of times per night. The sad thing
is, although we have Sleep Apnea and we wake up hundreds of times
per night, in most cases, we are the last ones to know we have
Sleep Apnea!
When
we have Sleep Apnea, our health may be in danger and we are more
likely to develop serious health problems. Sleep Apnea is a known
cause of high blood pressure and can lead to obesity. Sleep Apnea
can lead to depression and problems in our relationships.
Sleep
Apnea can be a dangerous condition that if not treated can affect
the overall quality of your life. Treatment has been shown to
lower blood pressure, improve glucose levels and boost energy
in people with Diabetes †
††.
Treatment
of Sleep Apnea is not about getting to sleep, it is about getting
the right kind of sleep our bodies need to feel rested, refreshed
and can function the way they were designed…if you or anyone
you know displays any of the signs, do yourself and them a big
favor. Tell them to talk to their Physician about scheduling a
sleep test.
What
are the common signs of Sleep Apnea?
As
mentioned above, those of us with Sleep Apnea are sometimes the
last to know we have this condition. Many times our bed partners
are the ones who encourage us to seek a diagnosis…those
of us with “untreated” Sleep Apnea are not the most
comfortable people to sleep with…or live with for that matter!
The
more common signs of Sleep Apnea are:
‚
Excessive sleepiness
‚ Snoring
‚ Gasping for or holding your breath during sleep
‚ Morning headaches
‚ Depression
‚ High blood pressure
‚ Overweight (including large neck size)
If
you or anyone you know exhibit any of the signs above, you need
to talk to your Physician. Sleep Apnea is no laughing matter.
If
you answer YES, to any of the following questions you may be at
risk for Sleep Apnea!
1.
Do you snore regularly (more than 3 times per week)?
2. Are you excessively tired during the day?
3. Have you been told you stop breathing during sleep?
4. Do you have high blood pressure?
5. Is your neck size greater than 16 inches (female) or 17 inches
(male)?
If
you answered YES please see your doctor about getting a sleep
test…
OK,
OK, I probably have Sleep Apnea now what?
Treatment
Options
There
are several treatment options available for Obstructive Sleep
Apnea or OSA. Most doctors recommend continuous positive airway
pressure (CPAP) therapy. This therapy is safe, effective and noninvasive
and does not require drugs or surgery.
Other
treatments include dental appliances which have some benefits
for people with mild OSA. Invasive surgeries are available but
with variable success rates which also bring into play short and
long term complications and risk.
The
safest and most effective method of treatment is positive airway
pressure. Those of us who use PAP therapy have reduced health
risks and more energy to do all the things we want to do…and
we simply feel better!
Equipment
Options…and Our Story!
Positive
Airway Pressure (PAP) Therapy is critically important to your
health! Make sure you give yourself or make yourself aware of
the options for treatment out there…don’t settle for
whatever you are given, ask questions! Get a free copy
of our book…”I Sleep Like
a Baby and You Can Too! CPAP Secrets Revealed!".
†Babu
AR, Hendegen J, Fogelfeld L, Shott S, Mazzone T. Type 2 diabetes,
glycemic control, and continuous positive airway pressure in obstructive
sleep apnea. Arch Intern Med 2005; 165(4):447-52
††Logan AG, Tkacova R, PerlikowskiSM,
Leung RS, Tisler A, Floras JS, Bradley TD. Refractory hypertension
and sleep apnea: effect of CPAP on Blood pressure and baroreflex.
Eur Respir J 2003;21:241-7
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