Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which breathing is briefly or repeatedly paused during sleep. This means that people living with untreated apnea may have a low supply of oxygen to their brains as well as to the rest parts of the body, which can at times be fatal. About 20 millions of Americans are currently struggling with this disorder. If you are one of them suffering from Sleep Apnea in Cincinnati, OH, it is important to seek treatment services from a professional physician early enough before the situation worsen. Note that this disorder is a chronic condition that requires long-term management.
This condition normally goes undiagnosed. It is not hard to detect it during regular visit to a doctor’s office neither is it possible to diagnose this condition through a blood test. In fact, most people do not know they have it until either a family member or a bed partner mention it.
Types of Sleep Apnea
There are three common types:
- Obstructive Apnea (OSA): In this condition, the air way collapses or become blocked during sleep. This causes shallow inhalation and exhalation or breathing pauses. When a patient suffering from this condition tries to breath, any air that forces past the blockage causes loud snoring. This condition is more common in people who are plump. However, it can affect anyone.
- Central Apnea: In this condition, the airway is not blocked, but the brain fails to signal the muscles to breath due to instability in the respiratory control center. Snoring typically does not happen with central apnea. This condition can affect anyone and normally occur with OSA or alone.
- Complex Sleep Apnea: This is a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
As mentioned earlier it is very hard to indentify this condition. This is because most signs are prominent while you are asleep. However, you can get around this by asking your partner to observe your sleeping habits or you can even record yourself during sleep.
Common signs and symptoms of Apnea
- Loud and chronic snoring
- Snorting, choking, gasping during sleep
- Daytime drowsiness
- Long pause in breathing
