You may be appalled to hear that a distressful sleep disorder like obstructive sleep apnea affects close to 18 million people in America. But what might be even more shocking is that 16 million of those are not even aware of what they are suffering from! The reason why this common health condition remains undiagnosed on such a mass scale is because a majority of the sleep apnea symptoms show up only during sleep.
A good way to catch many of the initial signs of this illness is to remain extra alert as well as take help from others, more specifically from the bed partner. Seek outside help if you agree to some of the statements below:
- You snore loudly and at times stop breathing during sleep.
- Do I feel exhausted and tired throughout the day?
- Am I gaining weight suddenly, without any apparent reason?
- You have restless sleep, marked by tossing and turning
- Your limbs jerk during sleep.
Another good idea is to video record your sleep so that you know exactly what your sleep behavior is like. This is an excellent way to catch the signs early.
One sign that you may want to know more about
This is a common query from most patients. Rapid and irrational weight gain happens to be one of the most identifiable features of this illness. The link between sleep apnea and weight gain is rather difficult to understand. First of all, obesity is one of the prime triggers for the onset of the condition. It results in snoring, which left untreated, worsens into sleep apnea.
While obesity starts the illness, gaining extra pounds is both a feature as well as outcome of the condition. This happens due to two reasons: sleep deprivation on a continuous basis and imbalance between two appetite-related hormones Grehlin and Leptin. Both these situations result in abnormal hunger pangs and help in gaining additional weight.
Triggers responsible for the onset
Other than obesity, deviated nasal septum is a common trigger for the onset of the condition. Septal deviation when major creates obstruction to normal airflow which results in distressful breathing during sleep. Treating the condition usually calls for surgery for rectifying and repositioning the septum.
Signs are not only tough to catch but they may mislead too
Many features of this illness may seem to represent other sleep disorders because of the overlapping nature of the signs. This often leads to misdiagnosis.
For example, excessive daytime sleepiness could announce hypersomnia or even narcolepsy.
However, one can put an end to such diagnostic dilemma by analyzing characteristic features of other sleep disorders. For example, what is narcolepsy? There are certain hallmark signs of this illness that are absent in all other sleep disorders. These include: sleeping for more than 10 hours; daytime sleep attacks that can put the patient off to sleep at the most inappropriate times and places; daytime naps are refreshing; patients likely to have cataplexy attacks, resulting from sudden loss of muscle tone.
Choices of therapeutic initiatives are also different. For example, sleep apnea treatment options depend on the reason for the onset as well as the severity of sleep apnea symptoms. Using devices, altering sleeping position and even surgery is considered if the condition is serious. Cause of onset of hypersomnolence remains unknown since the condition is idiopathic in nature. Therefore therapies merely provide symptomatic relief. Such facts are helpful in identification.
A good way to catch many of the initial signs of this illness is to remain extra alert as well as take help from others, more specifically from the bed partner. Seek outside help if you agree to some of the statements below:
- You snore loudly and at times stop breathing during sleep.
- Do I feel exhausted and tired throughout the day?
- Am I gaining weight suddenly, without any apparent reason?
- You have restless sleep, marked by tossing and turning
- Your limbs jerk during sleep.
Another good idea is to video record your sleep so that you know exactly what your sleep behavior is like. This is an excellent way to catch the signs early.
One sign that you may want to know more about
This is a common query from most patients. Rapid and irrational weight gain happens to be one of the most identifiable features of this illness. The link between sleep apnea and weight gain is rather difficult to understand. First of all, obesity is one of the prime triggers for the onset of the condition. It results in snoring, which left untreated, worsens into sleep apnea.
While obesity starts the illness, gaining extra pounds is both a feature as well as outcome of the condition. This happens due to two reasons: sleep deprivation on a continuous basis and imbalance between two appetite-related hormones Grehlin and Leptin. Both these situations result in abnormal hunger pangs and help in gaining additional weight.
Triggers responsible for the onset
Other than obesity, deviated nasal septum is a common trigger for the onset of the condition. Septal deviation when major creates obstruction to normal airflow which results in distressful breathing during sleep. Treating the condition usually calls for surgery for rectifying and repositioning the septum.
Signs are not only tough to catch but they may mislead too
Many features of this illness may seem to represent other sleep disorders because of the overlapping nature of the signs. This often leads to misdiagnosis.
For example, excessive daytime sleepiness could announce hypersomnia or even narcolepsy.
However, one can put an end to such diagnostic dilemma by analyzing characteristic features of other sleep disorders. For example, what is narcolepsy? There are certain hallmark signs of this illness that are absent in all other sleep disorders. These include: sleeping for more than 10 hours; daytime sleep attacks that can put the patient off to sleep at the most inappropriate times and places; daytime naps are refreshing; patients likely to have cataplexy attacks, resulting from sudden loss of muscle tone.
Choices of therapeutic initiatives are also different. For example, sleep apnea treatment options depend on the reason for the onset as well as the severity of sleep apnea symptoms. Using devices, altering sleeping position and even surgery is considered if the condition is serious. Cause of onset of hypersomnolence remains unknown since the condition is idiopathic in nature. Therefore therapies merely provide symptomatic relief. Such facts are helpful in identification.
About the Author:
If you want more information about sleep apnea symptoms, then be sure to visit Douglas Kidder's site and learn everything you want to know about sleep apnea treatment.
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