Sleep Apnea is a disorder that can affect anybody, at virtually any age. While the majority of sufferers are older adults, there have also been many documented cases of Sleep Apnea in younger people.
This disorder can cause mild symptoms, but it can also potentially be deadly. This is why anyone having trouble should consult with their doctor. Treatment options generally work to treat the ailment at the source. Read below to learn everything you want to know about treating Sleep Apnea.
Diagnosing Sleep Apnea
Being tired and lethargic can be a sign that you didn’t get enough rest the night before. Some sleep issues can be related to stress levels, diet, or other sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy. On the other hand, Sleep Apnea can be a lot more troublesome. If you snore loudly, constantly wake up at night, and never feel fully rested, these are signs that you have the disorder.
Likewise, if your loved one has ever roused you while you were in your sleep because they were concerned about your breathing, this is another sign that you have Sleep Apnea. The primary way that Sleep Apnea is diagnosed is via a sleep study.
From there, medical experts will observe your sleeping patterns while you are hooked up to an advanced monitoring system to analyze what is going on while you rest.
Surgical Treatment Options
Sometimes, in extremely limited cases, there are surgical treatment options for Sleep Apnea. Young children under the age of 12 are usually the best candidates for surgical treatments meant to open the air passageways and restore normal sleep patterns. However, these surgical procedures are only about 50 percent effective in children.
For older patients, the results can fair even worse. This is why Sleep Apnea patients are generally given CPAP machines as the primary treatment method. Learn how they work by clicking this link. CPAP machines have to be used consistently in order to treat this sleep disorder, but they are highly effective when used in the proper manner.
CPAC Machines and Sleep Masks
When a person is diagnosed with sleep apnea, the first thing that their doctor will do is set them up with the right type of equipment to ensure that they get enough oxygen while sleeping. A comfortable yet firm fitting mask is placed over the face, connecting a steady stream of oxygen to the mouth and nose.
This means that you will be able to breathe well whether you inhale oxygen through your nose or through your mouth. You will need to clean your machine and occasionally replace accessories, but it is a very easy piece of home medical equipment to use.
Additionally, CPAP machines are portable so you can take them with you while you are on vacation or whenever you will be away from home for the night. Sleep Apnea is a disorder that must be treated consistently, much like diabetes. However, you don’t need to let Sleep Apnea make you feel like you can’t still live a normal and functional lifestyle.
Sleep Apnea is often referred to as a silent killer, as it can be deadly if not identified and then subsequently treated. The fact of the matter is that Sleep Apnea sufferers absolutely need to use their sleep masks and CPAP machines every single night.
When they do so, Sleep Apnea is a completely manageable disorder that they can live with happily. It may seem like an inconvenience to have to wear a mask to rest at night but ensuring that you get the right amount of oxygen will leave you feeling better rested and more content. Moreover, using a CPAP machine and sleep mask is what the doctor orders in almost all cases of Sleep Apnea.
