Snoring - Could It Be Serious?
Snoring is often the butt of many jokes.
In truth, it can actually be the mark of a rather serious health problem called sleep apnea.
There are different kinds of snoring, and not all who snore do, in fact, suffer from sleep apnea.
If you've tried changing your sleeping position and lifestyle changes such as losing weight or quitting or reducing smoking and alcohol - and you're still snoring - what should you do? You should see your doctor to rule out this sleep disorder.
What is sleep apnea? If you're not familiar with this sleep disorder.
, it is a condition where you literally stop breathing several times throughout the night...
In some cases, you might stop breathing for over a minute.
And these sleep interruptions can happen as many as hundreds of times during any given night.
Apnea can be fatal.
So, if you suspect your snoring is more than moderate, it's important that you consult your doctor.
If you do suffer from sleep apnea, you will also feel that your sleep is far less productive and you find that you feel tired throughout the day.
The good news The good news for apnea sufferers is that there are many treatments available that do not involve surgery.
Chances are, your doctor will want to try the less invasive methods before resorting to surgical procedures.
The first step your doctor is likely to take is to identify the specific type of apnea that plagues your sleep.
There are three different types - obstructive, central, and mixed.
The most common type is Obstructive and it's the one you will hear the most about.
A treatment plan Once your doctor has identified your particular apnea, he or she will work out a treatment plan designed to correct or minimize your apnea.
Common treatments for this sleep disorder.
include behavioral changes such as diet and exercise, and medications such as nasal sprays with steroids.
There are also thyroid replacement therapy medications, and weight loss medications.
Devices used to treat apnea include dental appliances and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines, which are devices that deliver constant air pressure to keep your airways open.
These devices and treatment options are not one size fits all However, they can be highly effective when used either alone or in conjunction with other treatment options.
Sleep apnea and weight Physical fitness tends to be a big problem for those with this sleep disorder.
And, the fact is, overweight people tend to suffer from it more than others.
The cycle is vicious as the result of the apnea is a lack of the energy that would be required to burn off the necessary calories to achieve weight loss.
Talk to your physician if you are overweight and suffering from sleep apnea, be sure to talk to your doctor.
He or she may be able to prescribe medication for weight loss that will assist with both.
The worst thing you can do for sleep apnea is to do nothing.
In truth, it can actually be the mark of a rather serious health problem called sleep apnea.
There are different kinds of snoring, and not all who snore do, in fact, suffer from sleep apnea.
If you've tried changing your sleeping position and lifestyle changes such as losing weight or quitting or reducing smoking and alcohol - and you're still snoring - what should you do? You should see your doctor to rule out this sleep disorder.
What is sleep apnea? If you're not familiar with this sleep disorder.
, it is a condition where you literally stop breathing several times throughout the night...
In some cases, you might stop breathing for over a minute.
And these sleep interruptions can happen as many as hundreds of times during any given night.
Apnea can be fatal.
So, if you suspect your snoring is more than moderate, it's important that you consult your doctor.
If you do suffer from sleep apnea, you will also feel that your sleep is far less productive and you find that you feel tired throughout the day.
The good news The good news for apnea sufferers is that there are many treatments available that do not involve surgery.
Chances are, your doctor will want to try the less invasive methods before resorting to surgical procedures.
The first step your doctor is likely to take is to identify the specific type of apnea that plagues your sleep.
There are three different types - obstructive, central, and mixed.
The most common type is Obstructive and it's the one you will hear the most about.
A treatment plan Once your doctor has identified your particular apnea, he or she will work out a treatment plan designed to correct or minimize your apnea.
Common treatments for this sleep disorder.
include behavioral changes such as diet and exercise, and medications such as nasal sprays with steroids.
There are also thyroid replacement therapy medications, and weight loss medications.
Devices used to treat apnea include dental appliances and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines, which are devices that deliver constant air pressure to keep your airways open.
These devices and treatment options are not one size fits all However, they can be highly effective when used either alone or in conjunction with other treatment options.
Sleep apnea and weight Physical fitness tends to be a big problem for those with this sleep disorder.
And, the fact is, overweight people tend to suffer from it more than others.
The cycle is vicious as the result of the apnea is a lack of the energy that would be required to burn off the necessary calories to achieve weight loss.
Talk to your physician if you are overweight and suffering from sleep apnea, be sure to talk to your doctor.
He or she may be able to prescribe medication for weight loss that will assist with both.
The worst thing you can do for sleep apnea is to do nothing.
