Sleep apnea is a common condition that continues to be under diagnosed. Unfortunately, the long term effects of not treating the disease are very serious and occur over time. Obesity is a major risk factor for the diagnosis.
Apnea is defined as a pause in breathing. One type, referred to as obstructive sleep apnea, is caused by an airway that has become blocked or narrowed. A large tongue, for instance, can fall back and block the oral airway when an individual falls asleep on his back. Large tonsils and adenoids can also block the oral airway. A decreased elevation of the upper palate can reduce the size of the airway or make it collapse more easily. A small or shorter lower jaw compared to the upper jaw can also cause obstruction. All of these situations and others can cause individuals to snore. However, not everyone that snores has sleep apnea.
Most people with obstructive sleep apnea demonstrate a common pattern to their sleep. First, they will start snoring soon after they fall asleep which is especially true if they sleep on their back. Then at some point the snoring will be interrupted by a long pause or silence where the breathing stops. A loud snort or gasp then takes place in an effort to breathe. Many times, the person that has sleep apnea is not aware of these episodes and the history is obtained from their sleep partner.
If you know you snore, feel unrefreshed in the mornings and are sleepy during the day, you owe it to yourself and your family to be checked for sleep apnea. Remember, sleep apnea is a serious condition that if left untreated can lead to high blood pressure, heart failure, irregular heart rhythms, strokes and even death.