Stop Snoring Cures



Sleep apnea is one of the most commonly seen of all sleep disorders and affects almost eighteen million Americans. A sleep disorder that is characterized by interrupted breathing while sleeping, it is also without question the most dangerous of all sleeping disorders because it deprives the brain of crucial oxygen and can occasionally prove to be fatal.

There are two totally different types of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is in effect a neurological disorder in which breathing is interrupted as a result of signals sent from the brain. Obstructive sleep apnea is basically a mechanical problem where the windpipe is blocked either by too much tissue or as a result of the unusual collapse or relaxation of muscle tissue in and around the windpipe. In either case however the results are basically identical with repeated interruptions to the breathing which deprive the brain of oxygen and place sufferers at heightened risk from such things as hypertension, heart attack and stroke.

Regrettably, diagnosing sleep apnea is not always easy because snoring, which is a common symptom and often leads to sleep apnea being called the snoring disease, is also commonly seen as a symptom of several medical problems. Snoring is certainly generally seen in cases of sleep apnea because the brain responds to a drop in oxygen by waking the sufferer sufficiently to restart breathing and this generally leads to snoring.

This repeated awakening during the night also causes a poor quality of sleep and it is quite common for sufferers to get up in the morning feeling more tired than they were when they got into bed. This also produces a feeling of exhaustion during the day and an overpowering need to sleep.

But, tiredness arising from poor quality sleep is only one part of the picture and a variety of other symptoms will almost certainly be seen including morning headaches, forgetfulness and a difficulty in concentrating.

Left untreated the accumulating tiredness from sleep apnea may cause major psychological difficulties beginning with touchiness and moving on to depression with obvious changes in mood and behavior.

Both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea are treatable and, as long as the condition is caught at an early stage, treatment can often be quite easy. For example, minor cases of obstructive sleep apnea arising out of nasal congestion can commonly be treated with nothing more than a course of decongestants. In the same way, a lot of cases of sleep apnea which are not especially severe can be treated with the use of a mask that is worn during sleep and which provides a constant pressure of air to keep the airway open. Finally, in the most serious cases of sleep apnea surgery may be necessary and can be very effective, though it may also result in a number of complications and needs to be approached with care.

Probably the most important thing to bear in mind when it comes to treating sleep apnea is that as it carries the potentially fatal risk of respiratory failure sufferers ought not to be tempted to take sleeping pills or to use other forms of artificial sleep enhancers without first seeking the approval of their doctor.

Natural sleep remedies can undoubtedly provide an effective complement to prescribed medication and herbs which are intended to improve both the quality and duration of sleep can help in managing the excessive daytime sleepiness frequently brought on by sleep apnea. Similarly, things like chromatherapy, aromatherapy and meditation and guided relaxation will help to reduce the insomnia and anxiety that go together with sleep apnea.

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