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.
