Treatments For Sleep Apnea

Do you feel tired or exhausted upon waking, even after spending at least eight hours in bed? Experiencing extreme fatigue in the morning may be one result of a condition known as sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea often literally stop breathing repeatedly while trying to sleep. In severe cases, this interruption may happen nearly every two minutes, depriving a sleeper of any real rest, and causing the body to gasp and struggle for air repeatedly. While there is no single therapy that always corrects this problem, a sleep apnea pillow has helped many individuals get some real rest.

Obstructive apnea is often one result of excessive weight gain. Excess fat deposited around the neck restricts the air passages whenever the sufferer is lying down, and this momentarily cuts off the air supply. When that happens, the body struggles in panic, fighting for air like a victim of suffocation. Another less common cause is called central sleep apnea, which can occur when the brain doesn’t send the proper signals to control the breathing muscles.

Either form of this condition is very unpleasant and stressful, not only to the victim, but to any sleep partners. It is a serious condition, and should not be ignored or made light of. A person with this problem may not realize how serious and even dangerous the situation has become, because he or she does not fully awaken during each serial episode. They may know that they feel tired and sick, but may not fully realize how this deprivation is affecting their waking lives.

Such lapses during waking hours can be very serious while operating equipment or driving. Often, a sleep-deprived persona may actually have trouble staying awake at work or school, or even during conversations. The consequences are more severe than a poor work evaluation or a bad grade, and can be truly hazardous. The person who is consistently denied periods of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep will lose operating capacity mentally, and often will have difficulty with simple tasks. All bodily functions are affected, and the libido is often severely depressed, or may disappear altogether.

During these nightly bouts the heartbeat is actually interrupted or can even stop momentarily. It is vital to see a physician if you or your loved one experiences them. They are characterized by snoring, followed by a relatively long period of no breathing at all, and then a sudden gasping for air, only to repeat again and again. Not only is this condition frightening, but can be dangerous, especially over a period of time.

The doctor usually advises carrying out an individual sleep study, with the use of a heart monitor. The monitor records the severity and number of times the interruptions occur, and can actually measure how close the heart comes to actually stopping. Several kinds of treatment may be recommended. While frightening and upsetting, it is important to remember that this sleep disorder is treatable, and often curable. For the obese individual, weight loss through exercise and dietary changes are one common recommendation. Others might be advised to utilize a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) monitor. Some treatments include dental devices that keep the throat open, and in a few extreme cases surgery is sometimes an option.

But, for many people, one of the more practical and useful ways to relive the condition is using a sleep apnea pillow. These pillows discourage snoring by providing the user with special neck support, and also discourage sleeping on the back. They gently keep the tongue and neck from closing off the throat’s airways. These special pillows have proven to be very helpful for many people, especially those with less serious air deprivation. Some cases have actually been resolved, and former patients are now able to sleep well, with few interruptions. If you suffer from sleep apnea, be sure to consult with your doctor to see if you may be able to benefit from this kind of treatment.

Now there is a sleep apnea pillow that will meet all your needs and requirements effectively and quickly. Getting the support and comfort you want and controlling your sleeping issues can be accomplished quickly with the My Pillow.