Obstructive Sleep Apnea   

Do you wake up in the morning not feeling refreshed?  Does your spouse complain that you snore like crazy and then you hold your breath?   If so, you may be suffering from a condition known as obstructive sleep apnea.  This condition is often associated with snoring regardless of the position they are laying in.  They may not realize it, but they probably wake several times during the night after an interruption in breathing. 

The problem with sleep apnea is that the person who suffers from it often does not realize it.  Sleep apnea is very common and comes in three forms known as central, obstructive, and mixed.  The result is that there is an increased carbon dioxide level in the blood and the survival mechanism of the body forces the body to take a breath, even in their sleep. 

The person who is suspected to have sleep apnea will undergo a polysomnogram, which will help to detect unconscious wakeful periods.  When the person is awake five or more times per hour, they are said to have sleep apnea. 

Snoring is one of the key symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.  Usually the back of the tongue or the soft tissue in the back of the throat obstructs the airway.  The tissue then vibrates loudly and blocks the throat and the person’s ability to breathe properly.  The loud snoring often becomes so loud that sleep will be interrupted. 

Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea 

There are a couple of different treatments of obstructive sleep apnea.  The idea is to open the airways during sleep.  In some instances dental devices are used to hold the jaws in the proper position while others work to open nasal passages. 

One of the most common treatments for obstructive sleep apnea is the use of the CPAP machine.  The patient will wear the mask while sleeping and oxygen is pumped into the mouth and nose.  The mask helps to ensure that the patient receives the right amount of oxygen to prevent the apnea episode.