Causes of Sleep Apnea and How to Treat the Disorder

People who suffer from sleep apnea rarely get a good night’s sleep. Their breathing starts and stops throughout the night, and they are frequently awakening. This can lead to minor issues like irritability and headaches, and larger ones like heart conditions. Sleep apnea can be mild, moderate or serious depending on how often the person stops breathing while they sleep. The disorder also has three types: obstructive, central and mixed.

There are several causes of sleep apnea, depending on the type:

The causes of obstructive sleep apnea are numerous. It can be caused by the relaxation of the muscles behind the throat. These muscles are in charge of controlling the vulva, tongue and tonsils and when the muscle relaxes it narrows the airways or closes as you breathe in, causing it to stop your breathing.
The causes of central sleep apnea. This is due to your brain not transmitting the right signals to your breathing muscles. This is far less common than obstructive sleep apnea. The causes of central sleep apnea are usually heart disease or a stroke.

It is important to consult a physician if you are having trouble breathing at night. Typical symptoms include the constant stop of breathing, snoring, irritability, depression, headaches and more. If you believe you have any of these symptoms, a physician can recommend various treatments. They can vary from changing your lifestyle, to trying sleeping devices, and if the case is serious, surgery. Early treatment is essential to avoid further sleep apnea health problems.