Article by Art Jones

Sleep apnea is a condition that prevents an individual from breathing properly while sleeping. Those suffering from this condition momentarily stop breathing during periods of rest. The severity varies from person to person, depending on what is causing the condition. The person’s airflow may be obstructed, or there may be a problem with the way his or her brain gives the signals that trigger breathing.

Many people suffering from more mild forms of sleep apnea may not be aware there is a problem. While the person is at rest, those closest to him or her can listen for extremely loud snoring, mouth breathing, gasping or snorting. A sleep apnea sufferer may also experience restless nights, which results in extreme tiredness during the day. Once it has been determined that the problem is more serious than basic snoring, family members or loved ones should encourage the individual to see a healthcare provider.

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Article by John Spencer

There are many different sleep apnea treatments to choose from if you find yourself suffering with the sleeping disorder. However, depending on your age, some may be more effective and easier than others. For example, when children are suffering from sleep apnea, quite frequently the treatment of choice is a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy surgery. These surgeries don’t just treat the sleep apnea, they cure it. Before surgery is decided upon, many times the doctor will try prescribing a course of anti-inflammatory steroids (like prednisone or a different kind of glucocorticoid drug). These drugs will provide short term solutions to the short term problem of tonsillar and adenoidal enlargement due to acute infectious mononucleosis.

While many of the words describing sleep apnea treatments are long and hard to pronounce, some are easier to say and understand. Some doctors, for instance, believe that sleep apnea is a neurological condition, caused by the nerves that control the soft palate and tongue failing to stimulate those muscles. These doctors are currently working on neurostimulation trials, checking to see if the use of pacemakers or other similar devices can put a quick and easy end to the sleep apnea. So far, the early trials look promising.

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I have to start using one after my 2nd sleep study next week..are they horribly hard to get used to, and did it make you feel better? Thanks!!

I’ve had positive feedback so far from everyone who has told me of their surgery. However, the doctors seem to do everything possible to discourage it, claiming it is often ineffective, painful, and has negative side effects. I suspect the doctors’ attitudes may be influenced by HMO policy and liability considerations. Would like feedback from people who have actually had the surgery or are close to someone who has had it.
That’s “surgery”, not “surgerty”.

I feel like my mind is weak because I had sleep apnea all through school. I am in my mind 20′s and have sleep apnea due to the structure of my body (I am not overweight which is the usual cause). I did ok in school but I just feel like I didn’t absorb everything I needed to. What would you do? I know use C-PAP and have been for a few month and am feeling a lot better.

Will it take weeks,months,days,weeks how long?
I’ve had it since February we went to the doctors but they wouldn’t listen so we are going back next week with the symptoms,it has now been 5 months now since I was diagnosed with the sleep apnea.
These are my symptoms of sleep apnea:
1.I fall asleep at inappropriate times and I am even tired in mornings.
2.I stop breathing for ten seconds without having anything on my mind at night.
3.I gasp or choke for breath.
Today at school it happened again when I was a bit tired after having a short sleep in class,and I went outside without a care in the world and it came back and my throat tightened and I was choking for breath it came back after a few seconds of gasping and choking.

He has not been diagnosed but over the past year his snoring has gotten worse and worse. Nothing seems to help it. Sleep apnea never even crossed my mind but I read an article called “are you snoring yourself to death?” (I even think it was on Yahoo) and it was about sleep apnea. I thought he was waking himself up snoring but after researching I now know it’s his breathing stopping and then him gasping the air back in, making the loud snoring noise I thought was waking him up. He’s been in for a little over a year and it has just gotten worse and worse. I feel horrible because he has huge black circles under his eyes and he’s just so beat down all the time. He gets up so early and we’re at an infantry division so he’s doing a lot of physical activity, plus getting off late almost every day. He’s a 35N, do you think something like sleep apnea would keep him from doing his job? We aren’t noticing any other problems besides him being so very tired every day no matter how long he sleeps. He refuses to see a doctor because he doesn’t want to be discharged. I’ve read conflicting stories about this. I can’t convince him to see a doctor because he’s worried if it’s even mentioned in his medical files they will kick him out. He is actually still on profile from having rhabdomyolysis due to being overworked at PT. So that just makes it worse considering even that can get you medically discharged. I’m worried about his health. Any advice appreciated. Thanks
i know it’s serious and that’s why i am so worried. what if he stopped breathing for too long? it makes me want to stay up all night and watch him. i’m buying the chin strap thing for him that’s supposed to help.
also i know he’d get disability, but i’ve heard it’s only 50%.

Lately i have noticed how cloudy and foggy headed i feel. I occasionally get lightheaded and dizzy. Plus my family says i snore much louder than usual. I also never feel satisfied from a good good nights sleep. Please help. Oh yes…..i am somewhat overweight.

An iTunes bonus track from CHEVELLE’s fifth album Sci-fi Crimes.

The past 2 years I haven’t been sleeping well. I got a promotion at my job and have been really stressed out. I don’t know if stress is what is triggering it but it could be. The other night my hubby was in bed next to me. He said I stopped breathing twice in about 30 minutes. It went on for about 10 seconds. When we first got together I didn’t snore and slept through the entire night. I want some real life opinions before I go to the doctor.