Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Do you or someone you love SNORE?

Do you or someone you love snore?  It could be more than just an annoyance. It could be a warning sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a chronic obstructive breathing disorder with long term health consequences.
     We've all heard people snoring loudly (just ask my long suffering wife). It is a loud and penetrating sound. It can be amazing that the snorer himself (or herself) can actually sleep through it. Approximately 45 percent of adults snore and around half that number are habitual snorers. A quarter of those habitual snorers suffer from some degree of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
      Obstructive sleep apnea happens when the tongue falls back and partly or completely blocks the trachea during sleep. This forces your diaphragm and chest muscles work harder to open the obstructed airway and pull air into the lungs. After a short pause,  breathing often resumes with a loud gasp, snort, or cough. This can happen many times each hour you sleep. You may not sleep well, but you probably won't be aware that this is happening. It can affect your blood pressure or neurological functioning, and can increase your risk for heart attack or stroke.

      If you think you or your partner might be suffering from OSA, please discuss it with your physician or dentist. There are several types of treatment that can be effective depending on the individual.  Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machines (CPAP) are like little oxygen masks that apply just enough pressure to open the blocked airway. They are the most effective treatment, but not everyone can get comfortable sleeping with them. For other people, oral appliances or surgery may solve the problem.
DON'T suffer in silence. Talk to your doctor and get a sleep study done so the condition can be properly diagnosed, and if necessary, treated.