5 Myths And Misconceptions About The Common Sleeping Disorder Sleep Apnea

By Author: Essence Harold
Total Articles: 73
Comment this article

There are three distinct types of Sleep Apnea, Central (CSA), Obstructive (OSA) or mixed Sleep Apnea, a mixture of both Central and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Regardless of type, a sufferer will be unaware of their condition completely.

Below are some commonly believed myths about Sleep Apnea, from the symptoms all the way to the diagnosis of the condition to the numerous treatments available.

1.Sleep Apnea is just snoring: Myth Snoring can be seen as a symptom for Sleep Apnea, however there are big differences between the two. People who suffer from Sleep Apnea can wake up around 400 times a night after they have stopped breathing. These pauses can last anywhere between 10 to 30 seconds, often accompanied by a snort which is why many people believe Sleep Apnea to be snoring. These pauses in breathing can disrupt your sleep pattern making you more tired the following day.

2.Sleep Apnea is not dangerous: Myth The pauses in sleep can severely disrupt your sleep pattern, making your body and mind pay the price. People with Sleep Apnea often wake up in the night gasping for breath, which can ...
... be very distressing and as a result can cause the heart and cardiovascular system to over exert. The breaks in breathing can also reduce blood oxygen levels severely. If Sleep Apnea is untreated it can cause car accidents, work-related injuries and strokes.

3.Losing weight can help: Fact If you are overweight or obese you are more inclined to suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This is because of airway's surrounding muscle not being well toned causing your airway to be very narrow. Just by losing a bit of weight your symptoms can be notably reduced. Smoking can also increase the symptoms of OSA, so it is best to get advice from your doctor on how to quit.

4. Only older people get Sleep Apnea: Myth Statistics show that over 17 million people in the USA suffer from Sleep Apnea. However you are more likely suffer from the condition if you are over the age of 40, people of all ages, including children have been diagnosed with the disorder. However if you are overweight and male, you are more likely to develop OSA. Sleep Apnea is also believed to be passed on through families.

5. CPAP is an effective treatment: Fact The acronym CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. A CPAP machine blows a strong enough stream of air through the airways keeping your airway open whilst you sleep. The sleep apnea mask is seen to be a very effective non-surgical procedure for alleviating the symptoms of Sleep Apnea. CPAP is the most popular method of treatment for adults with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. It has also been proved to be a very effective treatment.

Now that a few myths have been corrected, if you believe that you or maybe somebody you know suffer from Sleep Apnea, don't hesitate and visit your family doctor for more advice.