Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Learn How To Cure Sleep Apnea

Definition Of Sleep Apnea

It is estimated that nearly 60 million Americans suffer from some form of sleep disorder. Between 17 and 18 million of those are afflicted with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), with another 10 million estimated as being undiagnosed. Treatment options available for sleep apnea can vary from surgical to intervention to homeopathic remedies such as hypnosis and acupuncture. However, the primary and perhaps most effective measure used in treating sleep apnea is the use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices. The original designs for these devices were modeled after the Respironics CPAP machine.

Sleep disorders like OSA result in personal sleep deprivation. Consequently, this can affect all aspects of a normal daily routine like work obligations, driving a car, or social functions. This does not include the nearly 20 billion dollars in associated health care costs that sleep disorders are estimated to cost in the United States every year. The only good news about these disorders is that there are plenty of options for treatment, and most can be effectively treated.

Interruption of sleep due to a halt in breathing is the definition of sleep apnea. This occurs due to an obstruction within a person's airway that eventually causes a lack of oxygen that reaches the brain.

Once the airway has become obstructed, and the breathing process has stopped, the brain can sense the lack of oxygen within the blood stream. As soon as it senses this, it 'wakes' the person up to restart the breathing. This reaction results in a 'snort' or a loud 'snore' indicating that the person is starting to breathe again.

When an OSA sufferer stops breathing, it is because the surrounding muscles of the windpipe have become too relaxed, resulting in complete airway collapse. This results in the complete obstruction of the windpipe and therefore the airway, which is the clinical definition of OSA.

Besides the complications associated with the lack of sleep, OSA can contribute to serious life threatening diseases. When someone is feeling as if they never get a good night's sleep it can affect their mental health which can manifest itself as depression or irritability. Lack of oxygen has also been shown to affect a person's libido, cause headaches, increase blood pressure, and increase the risk of heart disease.

OSA is quite treatable with CPAP therapy. A CPAP works by blowing a stream of air into the back of the throat, thereby forcing the airway open and preventing it's collapse during sleep. This ultimately increases the flow of oxygen to the blood stream, the body, and of course the brain. Treatment with a CPAP machine results in better rest for the normally unrested OSA sufferer.

In 1985, Respironics developed the first CPAP machine. Since then they have not only grown but have quietly established themselves as the premier of the CPAP industry. Respironics also developed the bi-CPAP which is a more advanced model used to treat sufferers of severe OSA.

Respironics CPAP machines are currently sold under the Philips Respironics brand, have developed one of the largest CPAP selections available today. They offer very competitive prices for some of the most advanced devices on the market. If you or someone you know is suffering from OSA, please seek assistance from your personal health care provider. This is something that can be treated and could change your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. QUESTION:
    my bf is a snorer...it's driving me bananas!!..are sleep doctors expensive?
    I'm literally going insane with his snoring...it's like sleeping next to a big broken truck reving up...in fact it's probably more annoying...and i've been with him more than 3 years...i'm a light sleeper too...it seems the only time I could sleep through the night is if I've consumed alcohol or sleeping pills or I've been so sleep deprived therefore so exhausted on the 3rd or fourth day that i would completely knock out....and then the cycle would start again...i try not to take sleeping pills because it makes me feel woozy the next day...

    Nothing has helped...he quit smoking for a year now....he is a drinker..but he doesnt drink everyday...i don't know if that's the case....he is a social drinker so i dont think he'll quit completely...but if he was to go a month without drinking...it woudl sound just as loudly as if he did...sleeping on his side doesn't help either....he is a tad bit overweight...but it's just a little...i do make him nwork out..and it's helped like a tiny teeny bit....

    I think he does have sleep apnea because he would sometimes stop breathing for like 15-20 seconds and then snore really loud afterwards...I know i should sleep in another room but i dont like sleeping by myself...and really i don't like sleeping without him either

    I called a couple of doctors today and they are expensive...consultations by itself is 200...and than it ranges from 800-2400 afterwards...he does have insurance but still that's still expensive...

    I just want to know if there are any alternatives that is cheaper and that works!...I'm so desperate...and also does sleep apnea correlate with premature ejaculation?? while sleeping he's deprived of oxygen right??..i wonder if that relates.....He's never gone longer than two minutes, a lot of times it could be like 15 or 30 seconds...although he's never had a problem getting hard...or getting hard again...

    lastly he works out pretty well since i got him into it....and his body has toned up a bit...he was never flabby to begin with...but now u can see some minor definition....but like i said he has been working out for a year..i figured his body should be more developed...his friends that work out with him have all sculpted out a muscular body...although they are thinner though...he works out about 5 times a week...about 1 hour to 2 hours each time...i wonder if sleep apnea is hindering his body's ability to build those muscles as well??

    I do love him but we need to cure his snoring problem...i don't know how much longer i can take this....

    • ANSWER:
      Ok. Classic symtoms of sleep apnea. This is a semi-serious problem. The doc will prescribe him a c-pap machine. Google it.

      If he'll use the thing, he and you are very likely to sleep much better, and consequently, feel and function much better. But, he'll still snore when not using the gadget.

      There may be a fix for the cause of his snoring. Google for that too, and check with a ear, nose, throat (ENT) doc.

      Down side is he's got to be willing to cooperate.

  2. QUESTION:
    If you're a film buff, please help me answer this question!?
    This is for my anatomy and physiology 2 class... we're getting five percentage points added to our grade if we can figure out this film from the clues my teacher gave us. The clues:
    1. The movie is a 1980's murder mystery.
    2. The plot has something to do with Ondine's curse a breathing problem--where the person has to consciously breathe themselves. I doubt this term or the actual medical definition appears in the film. Maybe sleep apnea?
    3. There is a scene in the film involving a woman in a pool. He says its suggestive... perhaps its overtly sexual?
    4. He also says there are "arachnids" in the film.
    5. There is a twist ending

    I've been searching online forever for clues, for anything, but I've run dry on ideas. Ideas I've come up with so far is that the film is about a man who commits murders with poisonous scorpions that causes paralyzation of a person's lungs.

    I've tried yahoo, imdb, rotten tomatoes, does anyone have any search clues, or an actual name for this film?

    • ANSWER:

      http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0090738/

      Black Widow (1987) Debra Winger Theresa Russel Dennis Hopper


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