2006-11-26 02:49:56 · 5 answers · asked by malisa_kay 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
I have sleep apnea and sleep with a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine. The difference between sleeping without the machine or with it are like night and day. I used to loudly snore, so bothersome that my husband had to sleep in another room. I used to toss and turn all the time and wake up (if you can call it that) still very tired and had no energy. I could not get through the day without a nap. Because I wasn't sleeping very well, my body could not regenerate itself during the night. I had memory problems and I was depressed because I did not know what was wrong with me, until, I had a sleep study done. The results showed that I would stop breathing and then my body/brain woke itself up just enough to restart my breathing(tossing and turning). It was hard at first to sleep with the CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine, but I got used to it and the results were amazing! I literally became more alive! You can find out more information on webmd.com
2006-11-26 03:09:02 · answer #1 · answered by Katielle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are three different types of sleep apnea. Obstructive, the most common. Central and a mixture of the two. I happen to have Obstructive sleep apnea.
Most people misunderstand the causes. I have been told to lose weight and it will go away. However, I was very fit and trim when I first developed it. It took over a year to finally diagnose it. I think in my case, I smoke and drink a lot of coffee, and it made the tissue in my throat to become softer. It collapses whenever I lay down and start to fall asleep.
Central sleep apnea is controlled by the brain. It is a defect in the brain that doesn't send the message to the body to breathe. And there is a mixture of the two.
Many people die from this due to misdiagnosis, or the patient doesn't follow the recommended treatment--which is CPAP. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. It is a machine with a face mask that forces air into the patient's airway to prevent it from collapsing. Some find it hard to tolerate like myself. I happen to have a severe case and the CPAP doesn't always work.
If you notice someone snoring a lot and stop breathing in between breaths it is a good chance they have some sort of Sleep Apnea.
2006-11-26 11:01:54 · answer #2 · answered by amish-robot 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sleep apnea doesn't kill in the majority of cases but it is still very frightening.
Losing weight helps.
Found the breathe right strips not all that good personally.
Avoid sleeping on your back
If really bad do see the help of a doctor.
2006-11-26 11:01:56 · answer #3 · answered by lollipoppett2005 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can kill you. Mostly due to overweight. Can cause arrhythmia. Pap mask can help. So can nasal strips. Sleep on your side. Have a test!
2006-11-26 10:57:25 · answer #4 · answered by gandolphus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my view is i also have it.
2006-11-29 06:13:39 · answer #5 · answered by duc602 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋