Drunken Hero

Many people suffer from some form of sleep disturbance. This can come in many different forms. Many people experience insomnia, nightmares, an inability to go to sleep, an inability to stay asleep, and many others. While all of these are problematic for the person suffering from it, there is one sleep centered problem that is more serious than all the others, sleep apnea. The most common view of this particular sleep centric condition is the moments of sleep where the sufferer ceases to breathe. For anyone who thinks they may have sleep apnea, the thought of ceasing to breathe can be terrifying. The best defense is to educate yourself as much as possible on the various aspects of the condition. Learn about the most common symptoms, the most popular treatments, and the different types of sleep apnea as well as any other relevant information. The more you understand the condition, the better you will be able to arm yourself in terms of self-care and treatment options. Here, you will learn all of the basic information that you need to begin understanding sleep apnea.

The first thing that you need to know is how to identify potential symptoms so that you know when to seek help. There are several things to consider in terms of symptoms due to the fact that some sleep apnea symptoms can be caused by several other conditions. Also, it is important to note that some of the biggest indicators of sleep apnea can only be observed by a second party. Anyone with a long-term partner will generally turn to that partner to observe them while they sleep in order to gain vital information. Other people may ask a family member or close friend to observe them while they sleep. When none of these is an option, another choice would be to set up a camera in a position to monitor sleep. If you choose this option, be sure to choose a camera that records both picture and sound. Not all security cameras record sound which means that you will have to be careful in your choice of camera. The reason it is important to be able to capture sound is you cannot accurately gauge snoring without the aid of sound and you cannot necessarily discern whether or not you stopped breathing at any point.

As for the exact symptoms to look for, here is a list. Whatever method you utilize to observe your sleep, look for abnormally loud snoring, gasping for air, and ceasing to breathe for any amount of time. These are not the only potential symptoms, there are also indicators to look for when you are awake. Many people who suffer from sleep apnea awake with a dry mouth and/or a headache. Also, insomnia can be an indicator of sleep apnea. Insomnia is a person’s inability to go to sleep, often staying awake for hours after attempting to go to sleep. Some people with insomnia will even stay awake all night. Hypersomnia, being excessively sleepy during the day is another potential indicator of sleep apnea, as is difficulty paying attention and irritability. Also, some doctors have linked TMJ to sleep apnea which is why some TMJ exercises are recommended to help with sleep apnea problems.

Once you know what to look for, you will have a better understanding of when to seek help. It is important to note that anything that continuously disrupts sleep causes to see your doctor. Sleep is vital to a person’s health and when it is constantly being disrupted, it creates an adverse effect. If this continues for an extended period of time, it causes a significant decline in overall health and wellbeing. If your sleep disruption continues for more than a week, it is time to make an appointment with your primary physician. The sooner you make an appointment, the soon you can get answers and treatment. Depending on your exact situation and the severity of your condition, this can include anything from lifestyle changes to a special machine that you wear while sleeping. There may be some tests necessary to determine what is causing your symptoms. In the case of sleep apnea, you may be asked to undergo a sleep study so that your physicians can observe you while sleeping. Your primary physician may refer you to a specialist, or they may be able to treat you themselves. It is all dependent on exactly what your condition is, if sleep apnea is suspected, and the severity of the condition.