Sleep Apnea

Its symptoms, causes and cures - and what you can do about it...

Sleep apnea - or sleep apnoea - is an upsetting and potentially dangerous (even fatal) sleep disorder. The word "apnea" is derived from Ancient Greek and means "without breath". A sufferer literally stops breathing during sleep for short periods of time - from 10 seconds to a minute.

Sleep apnea is usually associated with snoring. A sufferer will snore regularly for a period of time, usually getting increasingly louder. They then suddenly stop snoring .. and stop breathing! After a number of seconds most give a loud gasp, snort or jerk as the brain kickstarts the body into breathing again and the sufferer wakes up (often without realising it), then immediately settles back into sleep. The cycle  - and the snoring - starts again. The sufferer is usually unaware of their frequent awakenings and their excessive snoring, but may suffer from sleep deprivation and possibly exhibit other sleep apnea symptoms.

If you watch a sleep apnea suffer you will be amazed that this fight for breath can happen many times in any given night and yet the sufferer does not remember any of them. Although the body wakes up to deal with the apnea threat, the conscious mind of the snorer usually doesn’t. Amazingly, someone with sleep apnea may believe they slept restfully through the whole night when, in reality, his or her body was engaged in a frequent and repetitive fight for oxygen. In many cases, the partner of the sleep apnea sufferer is more likely to wake up and have sleep disruptions than the sufferer! (See Living With A Sleep Apnea Sufferer)

For sleep apnea to be regarded as clinically significant, 5 or more apneas must occur per hour of sleep. There are two distinct forms of sleep apnea: obstructive and central. Obstructive sleep apnea, where breathing is interrupted by a physical block to airflow, is common; central sleep apnea, where breathing is interrupted by lack of effort, is more rare.

How do I recognise sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is usually suspected when a partner or companion witnesses apnea episodes, or a sufferer complains to the doctor of symptoms of sleep deprivation. Sleep apnea symptoms may have been present for a long time and a sufferer may not realise that their depression, fatigue, overweight and headaches are all caused by sleep apnea. Certainly if you find yourself suffering from excessiveness daytime sleepiness, or if you wake each morning with a strong headache, you should consult with your doctor. Find out more about sleep apnea symptoms here.

What do I do now?

If you suspect that you or someone you know is suffering from sleep apnea, it is essential that a doctor is consulted and proper testing carried out. If you need more convincing, read (The Dangers of Sleep Apnea). We suggest that, before you visit the doctor, you find out as much as possible about sleep apnea, its symptoms and the possible treatments so that you will be as knowledgeable as possible before you undergo any tests. There is a wealth of sleep apnea information on this website, as well as suggestions for further reading elsewhere.

About Us

Also see:

Sleep Apnea And Snoring
Although often confused, sleep apnea and snoring are not one and the same..

Sleep Apnea: Who Is At Risk?

How Common Is Sleep Apnea?

The Dangers of Sleep Apnea

Latest sleep apnea news: