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Sleep apnea poses potential daytime dangers to sufferers with impaired memory functions, an inability to concentrate and poor work performance. Apnea has a deleterious impact on sleeping with episodes of breathing cessation that interfere with continuous, deep REM’s that enable profound, relaxation necessary for adequate rejuvenation. Lacking adequate REM sleep can result in an inability to safely drive, or perform routine tasks, increasing accident risk for the patient and others.

Apnea disturbs sleeping patterns in three forms. Most common is Obstructive (OSA), whereby the lax musculature within the neck falls as sleeping occurs, with gravity allowing airway blockage. Central (CSA) is initiated when the central nervous system misfires the impulses that control breathing at the respiratory level. Complex involves varying combinations of the other two forms. Health conditions, such as obesity, respiratory or central nervous system diseases contribute to the propensity for this episodic breathing dysfunction.

This sleep-time disorder exhibits signs that can be part of other conditions. Chronic, daytime fatigue, waking with dry mouth, sore throat or morning headaches and insomnia need to be assessed for conclusive diagnosis. Personality changes can impact social lives and the workplace with mood swings, aggression and impaired motivational drive. Consultation with your physician is necessary to unravel the mystery of your symptoms, rule out complicating health conditions and effectively seek corrective treatment.

Risks increase with being male, stress, including anxiety and depression. High-blood pressure, cardiovascular or arteriovascular disease or a narrowed airway place individuals at risk. Obesity, large neck circumference measured at beyond 17-inches, family history, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, excessive alcohol, mind-altering drugs, aging, senility and hypothyroidism increase the risk of disorders related to apnea.

Instances of falling asleep at the wheel are not uncommon as a direct result of the chronic fatigue experienced with this sleep disorder. The chronic, repetitive, episodic nature of breathing cessation has the potential of creating heart abnormalities resulting in sudden death. The disorder carries the risk of long-term, ongoing oxygen deprivation effectively starving the brain or leaving victims with worse case scenarios of devastating, permanent brain damage or death.

Diagnosis requires comprehensive testing once the physical examination confirms suspicion for the disorder. Lab work allows measuring the amount of oxygen in the blood. An EEG is performed to study brain wave activity. The final diagnosis is arrived at via an overnight polysomnogram study that monitors and records breathing patterns and video recordings observe the physical effects on the body during sleeping.

Treatment is dependent on the severity of the condition, health problems and daytime functioning. Treatments range from a prescription dental appliance to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), where the patient wears a mask over the nose and mouth when sleeping, while a small air-compressor forces air into the nasal passages maintaining an open airway. Treatment may include surgery, such as tonsillectomy or enlarging the larynx.

Doctor recommendations for mild sleep apnea Ottawa begin with weight-loss to manage obesity, smoking cessation for tobacco addiction and medication for daytime sleepiness. Surgery for serious cases can be curative. Dental appliances and CPAP therapies are effective only with diligent patient compliance as viable measures of maintaining open airways while sleeping.

Sleep apnea Ottawa is a sleep disorder many battle, but aren’t aware of the CPAP supplies Ottawa available to them, or where to find information on symptoms, CPAP Ottawa, and the next steps to take.