Sleep apnea is a condition where a person suffers from loud snoring during sleep. This condition can be controlled and if done properly, cured. There are a lot of treatment options for it and these treatments will vary depending on the severity of the problem.
Sleep apnea is caused by a variety of factors such as obstructive sleep apnea, which happens when the throat muscles cannot relax enough to allow the air to get through the mouth. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles relax too much and the air does not get properly sent into the lungs.
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is another condition that may cause excessive snoring. Snoring is usually heard during the night by only one person. Most cases of this condition are hereditary.
Sleep apnea can be categorized into two types, obstructive and central. The former is where the airway remains open because the throat muscles relax too much and the air cannot flow properly.
The latter involves an obstruction in the nasal or uvula tissue due to the person’s brain not communicating correctly with the throat muscles. People who suffer from this condition have a constant snoring noise during sleep and usually awaken when a loud sound is heard.
Lifestyle changes are often suggested to reduce the chances of the person suffering from this condition because it decreases the oxygen level in the blood. It is also common for a person to lose weight. Drinking at least eight glasses of water each day is recommended.
Treatment of snoring problems may also involve treatments for high blood pressure, which may also cause excessive snoring. This is not a cure for snoring though but can reduce the symptoms that will eventually lead to relief from the condition.
A sleep specialist, a physical therapist, or a physician may perform an evaluation on the person that needs to be treated. During the evaluation, they will look at the people’s medical history and other factors such as weight and the number of people the person has slept with.
The person will also undergo a test before deciding to try a new treatment. When the treatment is chosen, a small device called a mask is worn during sleep.
When the person moves around too much or goes back to sleep after changing position, the mask will release the air through a tube into the mouth. The device will allow the throat muscles to relax and the person can breathe freely again.
The treatment process involves continuous use of the device until the person has completely recovered from the condition. Only then can the person sleep without a mask.