Millions of people suffer from sleep apnea. Though it is associated with other serious medical conditions, it is still considered a serious disorder. Sleep apnea can lead to sleep deprivation, obesity, heart disease, stroke, and even heart attacks.

Sleep apnea is a condition where the person stops breathing for a brief period of time during sleep. When the brain is unable to control the breathing during sleep, the person snores or seems to be awake in their sleep. There are two different types of sleep apnea: obstructive and central. What causes them depends on the type of sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where the muscles in the throat relax during sleep. The oxygen is not able to reach the brain during sleep. Symptoms include yawning, snoring, choking, and breathing heavily.

Central sleep apnea is a condition where the muscles that control the breathing stop working during sleep. The person is likely to stop breathing and appear to be awake in their sleep. The person snores loudly or is unconscious.

If you do have a mild form of sleep apnea, it will likely go away on its own without too much difficulty. If however, it is a serious condition, then there are treatments available to help you restore good sleep habits.

All treatments for sleep apnea are aimed at treating the symptoms of the condition. Some methods will help to eliminate snoring while others will help to prevent the condition from getting worse. It is also possible to make lifestyle changes that may not seem like they would help your sleep apnea but actually do. Following a few simple suggestions, each day could make a huge difference in your ability to sleep at night.

A number of individuals often have a problem getting a proper posture in bed each night. For those who sleep on their backs, this may not be so bad but those who sleep on their stomachs or on their sides can be an impediment to sleep. Learning how to properly sleep on your side can be very effective in preventing sleep apnea.

Another way to improve sleep is to learn how to regulate your breathing. Though sometimes this is difficult, by learning to breathe through your nose instead of your mouth, you can help to stop snoring. Breath-holding is a relatively simple technique that will help you control your breathing. While some people are unable to do this on their own, learning the proper techniques can be of great benefit.

Often, people with sleep apnea find it very difficult to get into a good position to sleep. Standing up or changing positions to ensure a comfortable position each night may help to prevent sleep apnea. Some people find it helpful to practice doing this when they are watching television or sleeping while the TV is on.

Many people believe that a memory foam mattress can help alleviate the problem of sleep apnea. There are reports that suggest that the memory foam mattress acts as a cushion, which helps to reduce pressure on the soft tissues in the neck. This can reduce snoring and promote a better night’s sleep.

No matter what type of sleep apnea that you have, it is always best to find out the underlying cause. You should seek help from a doctor if you are suffering from this condition, or at the very least, learn the proper techniques to combat the condition.