2Millions of people suffer from the symptoms of sleep apnea. This condition has no known cure and many people that suffer from it have become so used to waking up in the middle of the night that they find it difficult to live a normal life. In many cases, the cause of this sleep disorder is something as simple as a change in the work schedule.
Workers that regularly work nights or nighttime shifts are more likely to experience sleep apnea. These workers often find that their sleep cycles are interrupted by being awakened suddenly from a restful sleep. For some, the symptoms may go away but for others, the constant occurrence of these symptoms causes severe distress and can lead to serious health problems.
One of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea is frequent pauses in breathing during sleep. The person typically has trouble getting back to sleep once the episode is over. Symptoms may include snoring, heavy breathing, and gasping while sleeping.
Sleep apnea can occur in people of all ages. As a matter of fact, infants that get too much sleep may find that they are more prone to developing sleep apnea. Infants tend to gasp and stop breathing for short periods of time during sleep. A lot of research indicates that there is a genetic link to the development of sleep apnea.
For those who develop sleep apnea early age, it may be difficult to overcome. A lot of research suggests that if the individual has sleep apnea he or she may be prone to other sleep disorders in the future. For this reason, people should learn how to deal with the symptoms and get assistance for the condition.
It is vital that a person with this condition gets diagnosed early so that the proper sleep apnea treatment can be administered. Doctors often treat sleep apnea symptoms with medications. These drugs may help keep symptoms at bay during the day. Some doctors may suggest sleep counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy for the patient.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one type of treatment that has been shown to help reduce the frequency of episodes of sleep apnea. The goal of this therapy is to identify the things that make the individual susceptible to episodes of sleep apnea. Based on this information, the therapist can then devise a treatment plan that will target those elements.
There are a number of medications that can be prescribed to treat the symptoms of sleep apnea treatment. These medications help people that are susceptible to this condition to get through their day on a daily basis. The medications may also help with various side effects that accompany this sleep disorder.
Sleep apnea is very serious. It can affect the heart, the lungs, and other internal organs. Sometimes, it is hard to tell that the individual does not get enough sleep each night and the condition may go undiagnosed for a long period of time.
If you suspect that you may have sleep apnea, don’t delay getting checked out. Seek medical attention right away. While it is true that the symptoms may go away over time, there is no way to know whether a person will suffer the effects of the disorder for the rest of his or her life.
Research shows that sleep apnea treatments do exist and can help individuals overcome the symptoms of this sleep disorder. In some cases, the treatment may be as simple as a change in lifestyle or work schedule. No matter what your options are, make sure that you are diagnosed and receive the appropriate treatment so that you can enjoy a normal night’s sleep.