Enough rest is needed for all the hard work that a person does in order to lead a good and healthy life.The major form of rest for all beings is sleep.Sleep stands equal importance with work because without sleep work would not end up as good.It is considered as a basic necessity for existence itself.But humans tend to give less attention to sleep and take it for granted.Sleep leads to some disorders also.Sleep apnea is one such disorder that occurs due to breathing altercations during sleep.
It is one of the most commonly found sleep disorders that occurs in people but still poses as a threat in its serious and adverse stages.Sleep apnea takes place when the breathing cycle breaks off and starts again while sleeping.This leads to a number of pauses in between each breath and each of these pauses is called an apnea.Such types of pauses can occur from around 4 to 30 times in one hour.There are also cases of low breathing where the breathing activity takes a sudden low during sleep and each such event is called hypopnea.Sleep apnea is mainly divided into three types: Complex, central and obstructive sleep apnea.
Snoring occurs in all these three types and is the main symptom in this disorder.The person who suffers from such a disorder is not aware of it and has no idea about what goes on during sleep.But the only way it is detected is when someone else notices the higher levels of snoring.Apneas are usually diagnosed afterwards by clinical tests called Polysomnograms that are conducted overnight on the patient.The level of intensity(sleep apnea index) of the disorder is calculated by dividing the number of apneas to the hours of sleep.
Some of the main symptoms that can be observed by witnesses are: long pauses during breathing, loud snoring, gasping while sleeping and sleepiness in spite of considerable sleep during the night.The supplementary symptoms also include Insomnia, forgetfulness, lack of concentration and headaches .Sleep apnea is usually not very serious and can be cured at the basic stages by regular sleep, losing weight, avoiding drugs and smoking are the main necessities.The later and more severe stages can be treated by Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure (CPAP) and dental and nasal surgeries.
Such sleep disorders like sleep apnea are usually ignored by everyone and not given much importance.This might lead to adverse and more serious damage.Rather it is better to ‘wake up’ and act fast!