There are times when snoring can be a life saver! Usually it is a big nuisance for anyone who sleeps next to someone who snores.
However if it happens to indicate that your partner has the condition known as apnea, snoring could in fact end up being a life-saving alert.
Sleeping near a person who snores can seriously interrupt sleep. “If only the snoring would stop,” you think. Then it does. Peaceful as it is, that’s not always a healthy sign. Snoring is related to the condition, sleep apnea.
If you have sleep apnea, your night time breathing is interrupted and doesn’t return promptly.
It can be a life threatening condition. The airflow into your body is delayed by more than 10 seconds.
That may not sound like much, but it’s a serious situation. This breathing interruption can happen up to five times in an hour during sleep. If you snore loudly and nightly, you’re at higher risk for sleep apnea than the occasional snorer.
Other signs are episodes of daytime fatigue and emotional distress or skill deficits when you’re tired. It seems to start most often in middle age and generally afflicts more men than women.
Risk factors for sleep apnea include:
Being Overweight by more than 120% of your appropriate body weight
Large neck girth. That’s determined by using a tape measure. The danger level is 17” or greater for men and 16” or greater for women.
Hypertension whether treated or untreated by medication
Narrow nasal passages
A medically supervised sleep study is needed to diagnose sleep apnea. A home monitor can be used for children as well as adults to monitor breathing interruptions.
You have a number of options for treating sleep apnea.
You can be fitted for a dental appliance, an orthodontia device that you wear at night. Basically this appliance changes the tongue placement so that the airway is clear for breathing.
Losing weight is also important to moderating sleep apnea. Along with losing weight, you need to be in an exercise program. Many people report that their sleep apnea completely disappears once they lose weight and get back to a normal, healthy range.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or CPAP masks are worn over the nose and mouth to force air into the nasal passages in a continuous flow. This may not be the most comfortable way to sleep, but it has been highly effective and most people get used to the machine and rely on it to deliver a good night’s sleep.
If all else fails, there are surgical procedures such as widening the palate, restructuring nasal cavities or taking out the tonsils to aid this disorder. Make sure you don’t ignore your snoring and mistake it as something harmless because if it’s sleep apnea, you’re putting your life at risk!
There is no need to put yourself at risk if you follow the guidelines above. It is a manageable condition that can often be cured completely, so don’t let it rule your life or the life of your loved ones. Do something about it sooner than later.
I would call this the silent disease, because not many people know about it … unless, of course, it hits you or strikes someone amongst your family or friends.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a disruption of breathing while you are sleeping.
Not many people know they have it.
You may not know that you were experiencing episodes of gasping for air and choking while you were sleeping, once you are awake.
Sometimes the person you sleep with notices that their partner is struggling for air.
This disorder, if it is left untreated can become a life threatening condition. So it is best to get it diagnosed as soon as possible.
Warning Signs Of Sleep Apnea
Choking or Gasping for air
Loud Snoring
Occasional Silences during your sleep due to breaks in breathing
Awaking suddenly to recharge your breathing
Waking Up in a sweat
Daytime sleepiness and not feeling refreshed by a night’s sleep
Falling asleep at inappropriate times
Is Sleep Apnea The Same as Snoring?
Sleep apnea is not the same as snoring. Rather it is an obstruction to your airway while sleeping whereas snoring is just a loud noise, made by vibrations in the soft tissues of the mouth, nose and throat.
While being unpleasant, snoring is definitely not a harm. However, sleep apnea deprives the sleeper from oxygen due to blockages in the airways which can cause a major impact on health. Snoring is a symptom and it often accompanies it but it does not always mean that you have sleep apnea.
Treatments for Sleep Apnea
Lose Some Weight: People who are overweight and lose about 15% of their total weight can relieve this condition and improve their sleeping.
Quit Using Tobacco and Alcohol: They relax the muscles of the throat and encourage snoring.
Maintain Regular Sleeping Hours: keeping a regular routine helps the body to relax and perform optimally
Elevate your head: this encourages better breathing.
Sleep on your side: Sleeping on your back can aggravate the problem
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
Also Known as a CPAP machine, it is strongly recommended for curing or treating moderate to severely obstructed sleep apnea. It requires you to wear a mask lookalike device while sleeping which gives you a continuous supply of pressurised air to help prevent of collapse.
However, although it works really well in treating apnea symptoms, some people find it uncomfortable and difficult to use. On the other hand there are many different types of masks available which can make it possible to choose a type that is more comfortable to use. Many people don’t receive alot of training in using these devices and so give up on them rapidly. If you take some time to get used to them you may be surprisingly pleased with the results.
Tips on using CPAP
Take your time. Start by using your CPAP for short periods during the day.
Make small adjustments to the mask, tubing and straps to find the right fit and to make it more comfortable to use.
Work with your doctor or sleep specialist to ensure the correct fitting and find the settings on your CPAP unit.
Try masks of different sizes and types. A full mask might work more better by breathing through your mouth. A mask with nasal pillows should reduce nose discomfort. A mask with a chin strap will help the mouth to stay closed and reduce throat irritation.
Use the CPAP consistently
Store your CPAP unit under the bed for easy access.
Use a humidifier with the CPAP unit Try a special face moisturiser for dry skin.
Try a saline nasal spray for nasal congestion.
Make sure you keep your mask, tubing and headgear clean.
Regularly replace CPAP and humidifier filters.
Find a support group to exchange tips and give and receive moral support.
CPAP Mask Fun
Comments
Lumbre 1969: That’s brave of you, I give you alot of credit. First, its opened my eyes to sleep apnea not being just gender specific. Second, I find wearing my mask embarrassing almost as a sign of aging. But you turned it into a conversation piece. I have to correct my son(10yo) that I’m not on an oxygen machine. Mom finds it amusing when an old man with an oxygen tank gets refered to me somehow. I’ll try the Darth Vader approach and see if that changes. maybe get things stirring in the bedroom..
bakersbazaar: Hi! Thanks for the comment! I don’t see it as a sign of aging but I believe that it takes a mature person to finally admit that there is a problem & goes to the doctor to find out…without the mask we could fall asleep & not wake up again, it’s a sobering thought. OMG about the old men on oxygen that would make anyone feel old..lol You are not old at all though…38 my, I have 6 yrs. on ya honey. All I can say about the bedroom is get a cape & do some role playing;) Take care!
MoodyBlueEyes: Hi Kellie, I just wondered if you notice any difference in the quality of your sleep and energy during the day when you use your CPAP mask? I am being fitted for one in the next week or so…
bakersbazaar: Hey Terri, Before I had surgery the cpap machine made a huge, huge difference! Since I have had surgery I don’t sleep very good at all partly because of my stricture I guess but when I do manage to sleep it helps alot. When I was in the hospital Friday to have my kidney stone zapped they kept waking me up to breath because I still have sleep apnea though…I hope it goes away when I lose all my weight. You’ll be glad you got the mask though it will take u a little while to get use to it.
RoadToNewErin: how funny.. i myself am on a journey to CPAPLAND. my pcp wouldn’t eval me for a sleep study so he is sending me to an ENT doc. I feel so guilty, like I am using this doctor just to get a sleep study out of him. ha ha ha.. i agree with the masses, you are really funny!
bakersbazaar: Awe well thank you I feel so honored to be called funny:) Isn’t it terrible that doctors have to do that kind of stuff. I think its just a means to make the insurance company spend more money. Even though you do have to go to the ent it could be a good thing if you have sinus problems or anything like that. Keep me posted and I hope you get your cpap soon. Take care! Kellie
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