Although the topic of snoring is frequently met with laughs. It is really no laughing matter, especially to the bed mate of the snorer. As a matter of fact, snoring can actually be a sign of a much more serious health problem known as sleep apnia. All snoring of course, is not the same. Not all who snore suffer from sleep apnia. There are different types of snoring.
If you've tried lifestyle changes such as losing weight and quitting or reducing smoking and alcohol consumption in addition to changing your sleeping position " all without results, then you may want to consult with a physician to rule out sleep apnia.
Sleep apnia is a condition in which you literally stop breathing several times throughout the night while sleeping. In some cases, the interruption can occur hundreds of times during the night. The duration of an interruption can last over a minute.
The condition can be fatal, so if you suspect that your snoring is more than a modest irritation, consult with your physician. If you suffer from sleep apnia, you should feel tired throughout the day because your sleep is far less productive.
The good news is there are many treatments available for those who experience sleep apnia that do not include surgery. More than likely before resorting to surgical procedures that may or may not be necessary, your physician will want to try the less invasive methods available to properly treat your your case of sleep apnia.
There are three different types of sleep apnia: central, obstructive and mixed. The first step your doctor is likely to take is to identify the specific apnia that plagues your sleep. Obstructive is the one you will hear the most about, since its the most common one.
Once your particular apnia is discovered, you and your physician will work out a treatment plan in order to correct or minimize your apnia. Common treatments for obstructive sleep apnia include behavioral changes such as diet and exercise, medications such as nasal sprays with steroids, thyroid replacement therapy medications, and weight loss medications, dental appliances and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines, which are devices that deliver constant air pressure through a facemask in order to keep the airways open.
When used alone or in conjunction with other treatment options, these devices and treatment options while not one size fits all, can be highly effective. Physical fitness tends to be a big problem for those with sleep apnia.
The cycle is brutal with the result of the apnia being a lack of energy that would be needed in order to burn off the required calories to achieve weight loss. Talk to your physician if youre overweight and suffering from sleep apnia. He or she may be able to prescribe medication for weight loss that will assist with both. The worst thing you can do for sleep apnia is to do nothing.