Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious condition that affects the way you breathe when you are sleeping. Not only is obstructive sleep apnea a serious condition it could be life- threatening. Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which you actually stop breathing for any where from 10 to 60 seconds up to 30 times per hour every hour you are asleep.
Some of the symptoms or affects you may notice are feeling more tired when you wake up than
when you went to sleep, being more tired during the day, frequent morning headaches, recent unexplained weight gain, inattentiveness, poor judgement and memory loss, mood swings and depression.
Your doctor should be able to make a correct diagnosis just by you relating these symptoms to them and then can order a sleep study to confirm their diagnosis and to get you started on an obstructive sleep apnea treatment regimen to reduce your risk for high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.
During the sleep study you will be monitored for electrical activity of your brain, REM sleep, heart rate and blood oxygen levels. If it is confirmed that you do have obstructive sleep apnea you will be awakened and fitted with the CPAP machine which blows air into your nose and or mouth at a continuous rate to help keep your airway open. Once you go back to sleep the technician will adjust the flow until the best rate of airflow for you is determined.
After the sleep study, you may be required to purchase your CPAP machine for the time you need to use it or you may be able to rent one from a medical supply store. Any tubing you need for CPAP operation should be disposable and you can set up monthly delivery of supplies you need from the supply company. If it is determined that you need oxygen as a supplement to the CPAP then you can set up delivery of that, too, at the same time.
You may just need to wear an oral device, custom made and fitted by your dentist to help keep your tongue and soft palate from falling back and closing off your airway when you sleep. Keep in mind you should also limit the use of depressants like alcohol and sedatives which can make your condition worse.
Surgery may be required to remove the obstruction. You may be a candidate for surgery if you have a deviated septum or some other blockage that can safely be removed by a surgical procedure. Obviously, no surgery is completely safe and all precautions should be taken by you and your doctor before the surgery takes place. surgery should be considered only for the most severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea.
These are all options you have for obstructive sleep apnea treatment. It all depends on the severity of the apnea you are diagnosed with as to what treatment options you and you doctor choose for you.
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