Obstructive Sleep Apnea

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea - Symptoms, Causes, and Complications Sleep apnea can be one of the most problematic sleep disorders. It is generally caused by the repeated disruption of breathing during sleep. While there are several types of sleep apnea, the most common among them all is Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This type of sleep apnea occurs when your throat muscles relax beyond the ordinary and block the airway during sleep. One of the most noticeable symptoms of Obstructive Sleep apnea is snoring. If you have problems with your sleep and snoring, you can always take a sleep apnea test at home to self-diagnose your sleep apnea. Symptoms of Sleep Apnea Here are some of the major symptoms of Sleep Apnea: ●Excessive drowsiness ●Loud snoring during sleep ●Periods of stopped breathing ●Abrupt waking of gasping and choking ●Morning headaches ●High blood pressure ●Nighttime sweating

2. If you have more than a few of these symptoms in your sleeping habits, it is best for you to take a home sleep apnea test and diagnose your sleeping disorder. Causes of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Obstructive Sleep apnea is caused by the muscles at the back of your throat. These muscles relax beyond normal and cause disruption in breathing during sleep. The muscles that are causing the problem include the soft palate or the back of the roof of the mouth, the uvula or the hanging tissue at the back of your mouth, the tonsils, and the tongue. The relaxation of these muscles during sleep causes the narrowing or temporary closing of the air tract causing lower levels of oxygen and a carbon dioxide buildup in the body. When the brain senses the impairment in breathing, it rouses you from sleep just to reopen the airway. This might result in an occasional choking or gasping sound during sleep. Complications of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Obstructive Sleep Apnea is known as a serious medical condition and has several complications related to it. Some of the major complications of sleep apnea are: ●Daytime Fatigue and Drowsiness - Repeated awakening during sleep associated with obstructive sleep apnea makes normal sleep a dream. This lack of proper sleep causes people to experience severe fatigue and irritability during the daytime. ●Cardiovascular Disorders - Asudden drop of the blood oxygen levels due to obstructive sleep apnea can increase blood pressure and strain the heart and the circulatory system. Severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea can lead to heart failure, coronary artery diseases, or stroke. ●Eye Problems - There is some research that shows a proper connection between sleep apnea and certain eye conditions like Glaucoma. People with obstructive sleep apnea often do not realize that they have a problem and believe that they sleep well at night. If you are worried about

3. your sleeping habits, you can always take a sleep apnea test at home to ensure your problem.