Sleep apnea is where someone stops breathing temporarily, and usually at repeated intervals, during the night.  This is caused by the person’s airway closing off, for whatever reason.  It can be a pretty scary thing for the person’s loved ones to witness, and can cause some major problems with tiredness and problems with cognitive functions for the patient.

The causes of sleep apnea include:

• Obesity
• Large tonsils (because they block the airway)
• Abnormalities in the nose, throat, or airway that cause it to be more susceptible to closing off
• Common colds, sinus infections, and other conditions of the respiratory system

Snoring may also indicate one of these problems, and is often associated with sleep apnea.

Fortunately, sleep apnea is treatable.  One of the most common methods is by using BiPAP or CPAP equipment.  CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure, and essentially maintains a steady flow of air into the person’s airway in order to keep it open.  BiPAP is similar, but alternates the pressure between two different settings, one of inhaling and the other for exhaling.  Both BiPAP and CPAP machines prevent the airway from closing during the night, enabling the person to get restful, uninterrupted sleep.

If you have any of the causes of sleep apnea and you are extremely tired all the time, or if a loved one has heard you stop breathing temporarily during the night, you should definitely see a doctor about possible sleep apnea.  Sleep apnea is difficult to live with, but thanks to modern medical science, you don’t have to live with the debilitating effects of not getting enough sleep!

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