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Those who suffer from sleep apnea, a breathing disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep, often also have signs of major depression (most likely due to lack of quality sleep). And that lack of sleep can cause all sorts of problems, ranging from annoying to life threatening. Sleep apnea may also be associated with irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke – which is why it's important to treat sleep apnea at its first signs.
Although the most common traits of sleep apnea are snoring, chocking sensations, early morning headaches and excessive daytime sleepiness, most people don't even know they have sleep apnea. Usually, their spouses are the first ones to notice a problem (heavy snoring and/or struggling to breathe while asleep). If the sleep apnea has progressed, others may notice the sleep-deprived person falling asleep at inappropriate times (while driving, during meetings or at their desk, etc.).
Sleep apnea can be diagnosed with polysomnography, a test that records a variety of body functions during sleep. The Multiple Sleep Latency Test, which measures the speed of falling asleep, can also be used. Although most tests are still performed in a sleep center, new technology is allowing some sleep studies to be conducted from the patient’s own bed.
There are two kinds of sleep apnea: central and obstructive. The less common central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send the appropriate signals to the breathing muscles to initiate respirations. The more common obstructive sleep apnea occurs when air can’t flow in or out of the person’s nose or mouth (although efforts to breathe continue).
The consequences of sleep apnea can include: depression; irritability; sexual dysfunction; learning and memory difficulties; falling asleep while at work, on the phone, or driving; high blood pressure; risk for heart attack and stroke; and in some cases sudden infant death syndrome.
Sleep apnea treatments include oxygen administration, which does not eliminate sleep apnea or prevent daytime sleepiness; behavioral therapy, including avoiding the use of alcohol, tobacco and sleeping pills; weight reduction; and using pillows or other devices to sleep in a side position.
When those remedies don't work, there are other treatment options including dental appliances that reposition the lower jaw and tongue; surgically removing the adenoids and tonsils, nasal polyps or other growths; and other more extensive surgeries.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, you're not alone. Although it was once thought to only affect overweight, middle-aged men, sleep apnea occurs in all age groups and both sexes – as many as 18 million people in the U.S. suffer from sleep apnea. What's more, 10 to 20 percent of Americans experience some sort of clinical depression in their lives, and one trait common in depression is reduced deep sleep. In other words, it’s a vicious cycle. In order to break that cycle, seek help immediately, even if you're not sure if you suffer from sleep apnea. Talk to your doctor, and ask to be referred to a specialist – your health depends on it.
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