In a previous article, we discussed the signs of sleep apnea—loud snoring, shortness of breath, intermittent periods of not breathing, daytime sleepiness. Here are some of the causes/signs you may suffer of sleep apnea:

• Excess weight: fat deposits around your upper airway may obstruct breathing; however, not everyone who is overweight has sleep apnea.
• Neck circumference: a circumference greater than seventeen inches is associated with increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea.
• High blood pressure: sleep apnea is more common in people with hypertension.
• A narrowed airway: some people have a naturally narrow throat, or enlarged tonsils and adenoids, all of which can block the airway.
• Gender: men are twice as likely to have sleep apnea. However, overweight women have an increased risk for this condition, and the risk rises after menopause.
• Age: sleep apnea occurs two to three times more often in adults older than 65.
• Family history: your risk for sleep apnea increases if you have family members who suffer of this condition.
• Alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizers usage: They relax the throat muscles and can affect your breathing.
• Smoking: increases the amount of inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway; smokers are three times more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea.
• Prolonged sitting: studies suggest that long period of daytime sitting can cause fluids to shift from your legs when you recline at night, narrowing airway passages and increasing the risk of obstructive sleep apnea.

If you believe you have sleep apnea, visit your doctor for a test to determine if that is the cause of your daytime drowsiness. Here are some tips to help you alleviate symptoms until you visit your doctor:

• Try to sleep on your side—this can help your breathing.
• Lose excess weight. Even a slight loss in excess weight may help relieve constriction of your throat.
• Avoid alcohol and medications such as tranquilizers and sleeping pills, as they relax the muscles in the back of your throat and can interfere with breathing.
• Use a saline nasal spray or Breathe Right® Nasal Strips to help keep your nasal passages open. These medications are generally recommended only for short term use, however.

The best way to deal with sleep apnea is to get a diagnosis from your doctor. The doctor will most likely order a test that monitors your heart, lung, and brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movement, and blood oxygen levels, all done while you are sleeping. Once the test has been performed and an assessment made, the doctor may prescribe several options:

• A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device, which delivers air pressure through a mask placed over your nose while you sleep. The air pressure keeps your upper airway passages open, preventing apnea and snoring.
• An Adjustable Airway Pressure Device automatically adjusts pressure, providing more pressure when you inhale and less when you exhale.
• Another option is an oral appliance, a device that opens your throat by bringing your jaw forward, thereby helping to relieve snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea.

Your doctor will determine what device will work best for your particular case.

Getting treatment for sleep apnea can help you avoid many problems, including:

• Cardiovascular problems: sudden drops in blood oxygen levels that occur during sleep apnea can increase your risk of stroke.
• Daytime fatigue: people with sleep apnea often experience severe daytime drowsiness, fatigue, and irritability.
• Complications with medications and surgery: obstructive sleep apnea is a concern with certain medication and general anesthesia.
• Emotional and mental distress: sleep apnea can be a cause of memory problems, morning headaches, mood swings, depression, gastroesophageal reflux disease, a frequent need to urinate at night, and impotence.

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