Sleep apnea is the stopping of one’s breathing. It can happen for as short as ten seconds but it can last for a minute or even longer. Obstructive sleep apnea, also known as OSA, is the most common form of sleep apnea which occurs when the airways are blocked. This usually happens when the throat muscles that keep the airway open suddenly relax, causing the throat to collapse, blocking the airway and stopping the air from getting into the lungs.

Obstructive sleep apnea may also be caused by having large tonsils or adenoids that can obstruct the passage of air. Other anatomical differences like an enlarged tongue, a receding chin or a deviated septum can also cause difficulties in breathing. The shape of the head and the neck can also decrease the size of the airway, making it difficult for air to go through.

Usually, CPAP machines are recommended for such conditions. Your husband can, however, opt for a surgical intervention for sleep apnea. Today, the most common surgical procedure for patients who can’t stand using the CPAP machine is uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). This procedure involves the removal of excess tissues such as the uvula, the teardrop-shaped tissue that hangs at the end of your palate and the opening that leads to your esophagus. During this procedure, the flabby tissues in the throat area are also tightened.

Your husband can also consider getting a mandibular myotomy, a procedure that involves cutting a rectangular portion of the bone in the front part of the jaw where the tongue muscles are attached. This piece goes through a 90-degree rotation after it has been pulled upward. This causes the tongue to move six to ten millimeters forward, preventing it from obstructing the passageway.

Another form of surgical intervention for sleep apnea that your husband can consider is somnoplasty, the latest surgical procedure for getting rid of snoring and sleep apnea. This procedure involves decreasing the tissue in the air passages, freeing the throat from obstruction. During this procedure, the inner tissue of the tongue, throat or soft palate is heated for around thirty minutes with the use of an electrode that is attached to a radio frequency generator. The good thing about this procedure is that the treatment only shrinks the inner tissue of the tongue, not the outer tissue where the taste buds can be found. Unfortunately, this surgical intervention for sleep apnea is not covered by insurance companies yet because it is still an experimental procedure.

Before signing up your husband for a surgical intervention for sleep apnea, you should first consult your doctor and make sure that he refers you to a surgeon who is experienced in these matters. If your husband’s condition is not very severe, perhaps your doctor can suggest other measures like a change in lifestyle or the use of other devices that can help in preventing airway obstruction. Sometimes, the prevention of sleep apnea is as simple as getting a healthier lifestyle that involves exercise and abstinence from alcohol.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome is the most common form of sleep apnea which is caused by the blocking of airway passage. This is usually caused by the sudden relaxation of throat muscles that may cause the throat to suddenly collapse, cutting off the passage of air. Other causes of obstruction are large tonsils, excess tissue in the airway and a large tongue.

Your partner was right to be concerned because loud snoring is one of the symptoms of obstructive sleeping apnea. It is, however, not synonymous to sleep apnea. Sleep apnea involves frequent stopping of breath so if your partner notices moments of silence in between your snoring, you may need to pay a visit to a doctor. This condition can also cause you to choke or gasp for breath while you are sleeping. Other symptoms are sudden awakenings, excessive perspiration while sleeping and waking up in a sweat during the night. Perhaps you should ask your partner to look out for these other symptoms while you are asleep.

If your partner confirms that you do exhibit these symptoms at night then you should go to a doctor so that he could test if you do have this condition and suggest cures for sleep apnea.

One of the most common cures for sleep apnea is the CPAP machine which prevents the occurrence of sleep apnea by forcing air into the passageway at a high pressure. A flexible tube is attached to the machine and carries the air from the machine to a nasal mask or mouthpiece. For more severe cases of sleep apnea, a Bi-level or Bi-PAP machine is usually used. This machine releases are at two different pressures. The pressure is higher when the person is inhaling and lower when the person is exhaling.

Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form of sleep apnea, is caused by excess tissues or any anatomical differences such as having a large tongue or large tonsils that may obstruct the airway. It may also be caused by the abnormal relaxation of throat muscles, causing the throat area to collapse, cutting off the flow of air to the lungs.

Apnea surgery maybe done to remove or decrease the size of the obstructions in the throat area, increasing the size of the airway and making it easier for air to pass through. This can be done by removing the uvula, the fleshy tissue which hangs at the end of the palate, and other excess tissues that may block the air passage. This is called uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), the most common form of apnea surgery.

Another form of apnea surgery is mandibular myotomy which involves cutting a rectangular portion of the front part of your jaw, pulling it out and turning it by 90 degrees before re-attaching it. This will move your tongue forward by six to ten millimeters, stopping it from falling into the opening of your throat, blocking the passage of air. Of course, for this type of surgery, you will need to find a doctor who is experienced in ENT surgery or maxillofacial surgery.

The most advanced form of apnea surgery is the radio frequency procedure or somnoplasty. This involves piercing the tongue, throat or soft palate with an electrode that is connected to a frequency generator and heating the inner tissue of any of these areas at a temperature of 158 to 176 degrees for at least half an hour. The good thing about this procedure is that it only shrinks the inner tissue, leaving the outer tissue intact. You can go through this procedure without damaging your sense of taste. These procedures are usually done for people who cannot stand using a CPAP machine when they go to bed. Although this machine is safe, effective and can cause immediate relief, using it can be very uncomfortable for some people. As a matter of fact, some people actually stop using it after a year.

Apnea surgery, on the other hand, can permanently cure your sleep apnea. It is not as safe as using a CPAP machine though. Also, sometimes, more than one treatment is necessary to cure sleep apnea. It can also come with some serious side effects such as pain and swelling of the throat. Even worse, if the operation is unsuccessful, other treatments may become ineffective. For this reason, maybe you should make surgery your last resort. Perhaps you should start by renting a CPAP machine and see if you can do without surgery. After all, there are many types of CPAP machines available in the market. You might find one that would fit you perfectly and would not cause you any discomfort.

Infant apnea, also known as Apnea of Infancy (AOI), refers to an abnormally long pause, around 20 seconds or longer, in an infant’s breathing. It is also possible for the pause to be shorter. This is called a brief apnea event and is usually associated with bradycardia which usually happens after a stressful event or cyanosis, an episode that involves color change due to lack of oxygenation in the blood. There are three types of infant apnea: Central Apnea, Obstructive Apnea and Mixed Apnea. Central Apnea usually involves the lack of an infant’s effort to breathe. A baby that has this problem does not exhibit any chest movement. If you put your hand near his nose, you will also notice that air is not moving in and out of it. In the case of Obstructive Apnea, there will be some form of movement in the baby’s chest and abdominal areas because he is making an effort to breathe. You will also feel the movement of air in and out of his nose. Mixed apnea is the combination of these two cases. Reflux, on the other hand, is the movement of stomach contents into the esophagus or the tube that connects the mouth and the stomach. This usually happens to newborns because the circular muscle that covers the bottom of the esophagus and acts like a cap that stops stomach content from going up the tube is very lax. Unlike older children who have a bigger esophagus that can hold the stomach contents, newborns tend to vomit or spit refluxed feeding. Sometimes, reflex apnea may occur, causing the baby to stop breathing. Since it is possible for babies to have both infant apnea and reflux, it is very difficult to differentiate both cases. Usually doctors, test if the baby has reflux by giving him a special liquid that can be captured by x-rays as it moves down the esophagus. This will allow them to see if the liquid would return to the baby’s throat after it has reached the stomach. Sometimes, they also insert a catheter in the baby’s esophagus in order to measure the acid levels in this area. For infant apnea, the doctor usually prescribes theophylline or caffeine which can stimulate the baby’s breathing center. Getting a machine that monitors the baby’s breathing rate and heart rate would help you manage unwanted events before they become worse. For reflux, on the other hand, the solution can be as simple as thickening feedings by adding 1 tablespoon of rice cereal for every ounce of breast milk formula. Elevating the baby’s head by putting some pillows under the mattress can also prevent reflux. Sometimes, medication for preventing reflux can also be prescribed. Lastly, keep in mind that taking note of the events that happened before the episode can help your doctor diagnose the problem and suggest an action that you could take.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or CPAP is usually used to treat sleep apnea. CPAP sleep apnea machines are quite small. Most of them are as big as a shoebox. Some of them can even be smaller. Attached to the machine is a flexible tube connected to a mask that is worn over the nose or mouth. Sometimes, this mask even covers both the nose and the mouth. CPAP sleep apnea machines can prevent sleep apnea by forcing air through the passageway at a high pressure that is usually set by the physician. It’s advisable to bring CPAP sleep apnea machines to the doctor during regular check ups. This will allow the sleep doctor to check the condition of your equipment and adjust its settings if needed. In purchasing CPAP sleep apnea machines, you must always make sure that the device has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Since there are many kinds of CPAP sleep apnea machines in the market, it would not be difficult for you to find one. As a matter of fact, these machines can now be purchased online. The only disadvantage of this is that you would not be able to test the machine before purchasing it and you might end up with a machine that does not suit you. But, if you can find one with a money back guarantee then you could test the machine during the period specified by the advertisement. CPAP sleep apnea machines can also be purchased from a home health care company or a durable medical equipment company. These machines can also be rented and taking this option will allow the user to test the equipment for several weeks before purchasing it. This can be done under the rent-to-own plan. It is important to find a machine that would suit your lifestyle. Of course, you should always consider your budget and the limitations given by your insurance company. After establishing your limitations, you can now go over the features of the CPAP sleep apnea machines that are available to you. If you are a frequent traveler, you can pick a machine that can be adjusted for different altitudes and can be converted to foreign currents. It usually comes with carrying case, making it easy for you to transport it from one place to another. You can also opt for bi-level devices that have a lower pressure for exhalation and higher pressure for inhalation. An auto-adjusting device that can sense varying pressure needs is also available in the market. Because there are many types CPAP sleep apnea machines available in the market, you can easily find one that is right for you.

First of all, sleep apnea and snoring are two very different things. Snoring is a loud sound that is made while sleeping. Sleep apnea, however, is the stopping of one’s breathing. They are not synonymous to each other. Snoring, however, can be a symptom of sleep apnea. Other symptoms include frequent pauses in one’s breathing or choking or gasping for breath while one is asleep and sudden awakenings.

Before looking for sleep apnea remedies, perhaps you and your partner should first confirm if you are indeed suffering from sleep apnea by asking her to monitor your breathing while you are asleep. She should look out for repetitive silences or choking sounds while you are asleep. If she observes that you have the other forms of sleep apnea, you can then go to a doctor who can diagnose the severity of your sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea remedies are given based on the severity of the condition. People with mild sleep apnea, for example, are usually asked to go through some behavioral treatments. The recommended sleep apnea remedies in this section can be as easy as losing weight, sleeping on your side instead of your back, regularizing your sleep hours and stopping the use of alcohol, tobacco and sedatives. Some are asked to wear oral devices that can pull the jaw forward, keep the tongue from falling back and raise the soft palate.

People with moderate to severe forms of obstructive sleep apnea, on the other hand, are asked to purchase Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or CPAP machines which can prevent sleep apnea by forcing air through the passageway at a high pressure. The air passes through a flexible tube that is connected to a nasal mask or mouthpiece. Sometimes, people who have severe sleep apnea are advised to use a Bi-level or Bi-PAP machine which can release air at two different pressures. This means that the device releases air at a higher pressure when a person inhales and at a lower pressure when a person exhales.

Although the CPAP machine is safe and effective, it can cause discomfort to some people. Surgery is often recommended to people who couldn’t stand using a CPAP machine. This involves removing the excess tissues that may obstruct breathing, changing the structure of the jaw in order to make sure that the tongue will not fall back and block the throat opening or shrinking the inner tissue of the throat, soft palate or throat with the use of radio frequency in order to widen the airway.

Since there are a lot of sleep apnea remedies available, you should consult a doctor in order to find out which one will suit you. Of course, you shouldn’t undergo a procedure as severe as surgery if your condition can actually be resolved by a simple change in your lifestyle. So, go to a sleep doctor before taking any measures.

Sleep apnea refers to the stopping of one’s breathing while sleeping. There are three types of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common form of sleep apnea. It is usually caused by the presence of excess tissues in the airway, large tonsils, large tongues and the collapse of throat muscles while a person in asleep which blocks the airway, stopping the flow of air from the nose and the mouth to the lungs.

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) is a rare type of sleep apnea that happens when the brain signal that tells the body to breathe is delayed. This disorder can be caused by a stroke, a brain tumor or a viral brain infection in the brainstem. Mixed sleep apnea is the combination of Central Sleep Apnea and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

First of all, it is important for you to know which type of sleep apnea you have. Since Central Sleep Apnea is not caused by a physical obstruction and is a neurological issue, there are no permanent means of fixing this type of sleep apnea. Most of the time CPAP machines and prescribed drugs are the best cure for this illness.

If you are diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea, you can consider undergoing surgeries for sleep apnea that will remove the obstruction in your throat area. These procedures involve increasing the size of your airway by removing excess tissues, shrinking inner tissues or changing the structure of your jaw. The good thing about surgeries for sleep apnea is that they can permanently cure your sleep apnea, eliminating the need for other treatments.

Of course, you need to consider some disadvantages if you are planning to go through surgery. Some procedures may need to be performed several times before they can permanently cure your sleep apnea. Also, you should consider that an operation can make it difficult to apply other treatments if it is unsuccessful. Lastly, you need to be prepared for the serious side effects such as pain and throat swelling that may occur after the procedure.  

One of the most common surgeries for sleep apnea is uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) which involves the removal of the uvula, the fleshy tissue hanging at the end of your palate, and the other excess tissues in the throat area. This procedure also includes tightening the muscles of your throat area with the help of plastic surgery.

You can also opt for a mandibular myotomy which involves cutting a rectangular portion from the front portion of your jaw, pulling it out and twisting it by 90 degrees before re-attaching it. This will move your tongue forward by six to ten millimeters, stopping it from falling back into your throat area.

Radio frequency procedure or somnoplasty is the latest surgical procedure for sleep apnea. It involves inserting an electrode into the tongue, throat or soft palate and heating the inner tissue in any of these areas, causing them to shrink.

Of course, before signing up for any of these procedures, you should consult your doctor so that he can prescribe the most suitable procedure for your condition. This will help in lessening the risks of going through surgeries for sleep apnea.

People with sleep apnea usually have breathing problems while they are asleep. You were probably experiencing these episodes whenever you suddenly wake up at night, gasping and choking. This is a reflex that makes your exert effort to continue breathing. Other symptoms of sleep apnea are loud snoring, excessive perspiration and waking up with headaches, sore throat and a dry mouth. Also, because of sleep and oxygen deprivation, you might experience daytime sleepiness, low energy and a feeling of sluggishness that can affect your mood and concentration. Sleep apnea can also weaken your immune system, making you vulnerable to other illnesses.

If you suspect that you have sleep apnea, you should visit a doctor who could give you a diagnosis and suggest some sleep apnea solutions. Because diagnostic sleep studies and medical tests are very expensive, doctors do not usually require patients to undergo these tests unless the patient has a severe medical condition that may be drastically affected by sleep apnea or if the patient’s sleep apnea is severe enough to present serious risks to the patient’s life. At a minimum, he would ask you some questions regarding your medical and sleep history. For these cases, you should prepare a two-week sleep diary that contains your sleep behavior as well as other pertinent data like the amount of alcohol, tobacco or medication that you have taken in for the day. Since you don’t usually remember the things that you do while you are asleep, perhaps you can ask your partner to help you in completing this diary.

Sleep apnea solutions depend on the severity of the condition. Based on the doctor’s diagnosis, you would find out how serious your condition is. If your condition is relatively mild, the doctor may recommend changing your lifestyle. Some sleep apnea solutions do include getting into a sport or doing some exercises, eliminating the use of alcohol, tobacco and other medication and sleeping on your side. The doctor may also ask you to wear some oral devices that would pull your jaw out, raise your palate or keep your tongue in place while sleeping. Sometimes, the position of your jaw, tongue and palate can cause an obstruction in the airway while you are asleep.

If you have moderate or severe sleep apnea, the doctor may ask you to buy a continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP machine. This machine pumps in air through your airway at a high pressure through a flexible tube attached to a nasal mask. Some people find this uncomfortable so they usually opt for surgery instead. Of course, before undergoing these sleep apnea solutions, you should visit your doctor first. It may not be as serious as you think.

Effects of sleep deprivation include fatigue, sluggishness, depression, irritability, inability to concentrate, poor memory, slowed reflexes, and depressed immune system, to name a few. Any form of exertion like exercise and even minor activities can increase the feelings of fatigue. Even eating healthy foods may not be enough because the body itself is in a state of unrest.

Sleep deprivation doesn’t only mean sleeplessness or lack of sleep. You may think you are getting enough number of hours of sleep but the body is still unrested because you are not getting quality sleep due to sleep disruptions. Sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep disruption. This is characterized by snoring, waking up in the middle of the night gasping or choking and brief absences of breathing which can last up to 20 seconds.

If you feel you are exhibiting signs of sleep apnea or if your partner notices these signs, try to consult a sleep specialist. You will be asked to undergo sleep studies and when proven you have apnea, CPAP therapy, the simplest, most effective treatment of apnea, will most probably be prescribed. A CPAP is a machine that will help you breathe during sleep allowing you to get a good night’s rest.

You also mentioned having these “electric shock” episodes which jolts you out of sleep. This, too, causes sleep disruption and sleep deprivation. These “electric shock” feelings are actually called hypnagogic jerks or myoclonic jerks. This is pretty normal. This usually occurs when a person is tired or is sleep deprived, like in your case. When you are sleep deprived, the body somehow gets used to the state of sleep deprivation that when sleep comes, the brain refuses to fall asleep, sending involuntary signals to the muscles.

Right now, the best you can do is to get a sleep study done. It is only then that you can determine what kind of sleep problem you are having and what measures you can do to take care of that. Your physician can refer you to a sleep specialist who understands the sleep phenomenon better. Practicing good sleeping hygiene also helps in dealing with sleep problems such as yours.