Those of you reading this have probably come here because you have some sleeping disorder of some kind. This short piece is about sleep apnea which is a common breathing condition that can range from mild to moderate to severe. Adult sleep apnea is common around the world and the name comes from the Greek word, apnea, meaning "want of breathe. But just what causes it and what can we do to tackle the problem?
Sleep apnea sufferers are those folks that consistently experience interrupted breathing whilst sleeping. Sometimes the sufferer wakes up gulping or gasping for air. One of the common symptoms of sleep apnea is snoring, but that doesn't mean to say that all those that snore have the condition.
What happens with the sufferer is the that the snore itself actually stops the breathing while they are asleep, and this can last for up to 10 seconds 5 or more times an hour. Over time, if gone untreated, this can lead to many more serious health conditions due to there being low oxygen levels in the body as a result of this breathing disruption.
For those who are suffering with sleep apnea and have sought help from your local GP, you have most likely been told to lose some weight, or if weight is not an issue it may have been suggested that you attempt to sleep on your side, and to sleep at an elevation. All of the above can and do help in many cases, but not all suggestions work for all patients and the conditions is assessed on a case by case basis.
Quite often beds and bedding can play a major role in assisting sleep apnea patients. Adjustable beds can be one of recommendations so too can various support pillows and other bedding items. Basically, the way and the position in which the sufferer sleeps can be the cause of their problems and this is why beds and bedding can help to lesson or cure the problem.
Unfortunately, Sleep apnea is quite a common condition. In fact it's believed to affect as many adults as diabetes. Every person who suffers with sleep apnea is going to find relief using different methods, with surgery being a last resort. But no one should just suffer alone and in silence. If your sleep is constantly being disrupted through sleep apnea then you should seek help without further ado. Sleep apnea can be a dangerous condition which can ultimately lead to death in some extreme cases.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Desperately need weight loss surgery
By: Patricia smarr | 25-08-2008
The doctor told my 650 pound brother he needs to lose weight or he may not be around for another year. He doesn't have health insurance but is on medicare. His wife is at her wits end and he is totally depressed as all of us are. He has never admitted that he needed help but he finally broke down and admitted he is desperate and ready to do something.
Need a part of face mask
By: Eileen | 02-07-2008
I need a small tubing for my face mask from ResMed. All other parts are good. Who can I contact? Eileen embrust2@aol.com
Is Melatonin safe to take with Naispan?
By: Sir Charles | 08-06-2008
Is Melatonin safe to take with Naispan?
How did the dog know there was a problem? The dog was disturbed by my apnea.
By: Bog | 30-04-2008
It seems that the dog has (or had) a real problem with my sleep apnea. And how does he how there was (is now controlled) a problem? Why is the dog so disturbed by it? How does he know it is a potential issue (or was.) Are dogs that smart? Long story short. The dog tends (less so now) to be insistent at waking me up in the middle of my sleep time. He will work very hard at waking me up, then let me go back to sleep. Much of this has stopped as it was partly corrected when I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and got a machine to treat it. Sometimes he will still try to wake me up despite the action the CPAP machine will take. I mentioned that to my doctor and just said ?meh, they just do that, usually you can trust it?? Interestingly, the dog is one that I dog-sit on a regular basis so he isn?t even mine. The dog is very loving.
How long can i go without sleep before these ...
By: Heba | 16-02-2008
How long can i go without sleep before these hallucinations become reality?
"Grey's" Star Checked In to UCLA Psych Ward
By: AllisonG | 01-02-2008
TMZ has learned actor Justin Chambers, Dr. Alex Karev on "Grey's Anatomy," checked himself in to the psych ward at UCLA Medical Center this week. (Yes, it's the same place as Britney Spears!)Chambers' rep confirmed to TMZ that star checked in on Monday and checked out yesterday (Thursday). The rep claims Chambers, a married father of five, was "exhausted and suffers from a sleeping disorder. He went in voluntarily to get some help." I love this show. Does anyone else think his voluntary commitment to a psych ward will affect this show's success?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Non-Fiction Articles
The Story of Halloween
By: Gianni Truvianni | 14/10/2008
An article about Halloween and the history behind this holiday which are among the year’s biggest.
Get Writing!
By: Writer\'s Relief | 13/10/2008
Learn how to get more "Butt-In-Chair" time and become a more productive writer.
Writing for a Living: 7 Ways to Turn Your Writing Into a Home-based Business
By: Rosey Dow | 13/10/2008
Most writers dream of one day hitting the big time with a best-selling novel or a self-help book that goes viral. The chances of that happening are 1 in 10,000,000. However, if you have knowledge and experience, you can create a home-based business from your expertise using these 7 steps...and make more than you would from royalties.
Book Marketing: Using a System to Turn Your Book Into a Primary Business
By: Rosey Dow | 13/10/2008
So many loud voices today proclaim that their training will give you a corner on the market for your book’s niche—blogging, article writing, teleseminars, ebooks, and video. But how do they fit together? Is one of them more important then the rest?
Book Marketing: the Day That is Different for Your Career Strategy
By: Rosey Dow | 06/10/2008
Make an informed decision about the direction of your writing career--print or online, or both.
In the Lap of the Gods 22
By: Steve Morgan | 05/10/2008
For those who have read the other 21 chapters
A Week in the Life of the Single Working Mother
By: Karen Dosw | 03/10/2008
A humorous article about a week in the life of one South African, single mom with two adult children and two little ones.
Why You Should Write for Free
By: Deborah Owen | 01/10/2008
Write for free? I can hear you saying, “Are you nuts?” Write for free, so you can get paid. Read more inside.
More from Gary Tooth
What Are Hemorrhoids? How Do We Prevent And Treat Them?
By: Gary Tooth | 07/02/2007 | Non-Fiction
Many folks see having piles as extremely embarrassing, and as a consequence a lot of people chose to ignore the problem and hope they will go away on their own. Sometimes this will happen, but it really is ludicrous to drag out something which can be quite often cleared up quickly and easily with over-the-counter treatments.
Using A High Protein Diet To Safely Lose Weight!
By: Gary Tooth | 02/02/2007 | Health
Are high protein low carb diets safe? Now there's a question! But you will find as many pros as there are cons and visa versa. To be honest, it's not easy to decide, as professional and personal reviews are pretty mixed up and even.
Athletes Foot. The Causes And Cures!
By: Gary Tooth | 31/01/2007 | Non-Fiction
If you think athlete's foot is something that only 'other people' catch, then think again! If you've not been infected (yet), it probably just means you've just been lucky so far, as it's reported that over 70% of the population will develop athlete's foot during their lifetime.
Treatments, Cures And Remedies For Sleep Disorders!
By: Gary Tooth | 31/01/2007 | Health
There are many treatments and remedies for sleeplessness, some good, some not so good, and other which are just pure poppycock, and it's important to note that what works for one may not work for another. Finding a cure for 'your' sleep problem is first identifying the cause, and then practicing a few of the suggested treatments and remedies.
Toenail Fungus Prevention And Treatment
By: Gary Tooth | 23/01/2007 | Non-Fiction
Toenail fungus is a truly awful condition. Once the nail is infected it will likely turn yellow, brown, or both, and as the condition worsens it'll become thick and overgrown. If gone untreated the nail may even start to crumble and fall off.
The Feng Shui Bedroom. Peace And Tranquility
By: Gary Tooth | 23/01/2007 | Home and Family
Our bedrooms are probably the most important rooms in the house. After all, we do spend the majority of our time in them! So it's little wonder why many people are now looking to improve the ambience of their bedroom with the ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui.
Who Wants Used Cell Phones!
By: Gary Tooth | 18/01/2007 | Cell Phones
You'll be surprised at what a demand there is for used cell phones just as there is for used computers, or anything else that has second hand value. There's a saying that goes 'one man's rubbish is another man's gold!' I'm not saying that used cell phones are rubbish of course! On the contrary, most are as good as the day they were purchased.
How To Make A Cover Letter For Your Job Application
By: Gary Tooth | 11/01/2007 | Resumes
It's a bit of a misconception that the resume is THE most important part of the job application process. While having a resume that stands out is crucial, but it can fall flat on its face if it's accompanied by a poorly written cover letter, or worse still, doesn't even include one.
Writing 
