There are three distinct types of Sleep Apnea, Central (CSA), Obstructive (OSA) or mixed Sleep Apnea, which is a combination of both Central and Obstructive. Regardless of type, a sufferer will be unaware of their condition completely.
Below are some commonly believed myths about the sleep condition Sleep Apnea, from the symptoms and diagnosis of the condition to the numerous treatments available.
1.Sleep Apnea is just snoring: Myth Snoring can often be confused with Sleep Apnea, however there are clear distinctions between the two. As mentioned, people with Sleep Apnea can stop breathing up to 400 times a night. These pauses can last anywhere between 10 to 30 seconds, which are often followed with a snort which is why the condition often gets confused with snoring. The pauses will effect your sleep pattern causing you to feel the consequences the following day.
2.Sleep Apnea is not dangerous: Myth The various breaks in sleep can severely disrupt your natural sleep pattern, causing damage to your body and mind. People with Sleep Apnea often wake up in the night gasping for breath, which can be very distressing and as a result can put a lot of strain on the heart and cardiovascular system. The interruptions in breathing can also reduce blood oxygen levels drastically. If Sleep Apnea is untreated it can cause car accidents, work-related injuries and strokes.
3.Losing weight can help: Fact If you are obese or overweight you are more likely to suffer with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This is because of the lack of muscle tone and soft tissue around the airway, resulting in a very narrow airway. Just by losing a bit of weight your symptoms can be notably reduced. Smoking can also severely effect the symptoms of OSA, so ask your doctor for tips and advice on how to quit.
4. Only older people get Sleep Apnea: Myth Recent statistics show that over 17 million people alone in the USA suffer from Sleep Apnea. However you are more likely to endure the condition if you are over 40, people of all ages, including young children have been diagnosed with this sleep disorder. However if your male and are overweight, you are more likely to acquire OSA. Sleep Apnea is also believed to be passed on through families.
5. CPAP is an effective treatment: Fact The acronym CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. A CPAP machine blows air through a mask into your breathing passages keeping your airways open when you're asleep. The CPAP equipment is considered to be the most effective non-surgical procedure for alleviating the symptoms of Sleep Apnea. CPAP is the most popular method of treatment for adult sufferers of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. It has also proved to be very effective.
So now that a few Myths have been disproved, if you believe that you or maybe somebody you know endure Sleep Apnea, don't hesitate and seek advice from your GP as soon as you can.
A whole host of CPAP equipment are available to meet the diverse needs of people that suffer from sleep apnea.