Get A Good NIghts Sleep

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea. When a person goes to sleep the walls of the chest normally relax. However when the upper airway completely closes off when one is sleeping, this is known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The uvula and soft pallet collapses on the back wall of the upper airway. Then the tongue falls backward, collapsing on the back wall of the upper airway, the uvula and soft pallet. This forms a tight blockage. The lungs are prevented from receiving any air. The effort of the chest, the abdomen and the diaphragm only cause the blockage to seal tighter. The person must then either arouse or wake up in order to breathe. This arousal creates tension in the tongue thereby opening the airway which allows air enter the lungs.

There are a number of other reasons that can cause the airway to collapse. It may be due to a large tongue, extra tissue in the airway, or decreased muscle tone in the chest which holds the airway open. As a result, air is prevented from getting into the lungs. These cessations of breathing have been recorded up to 100 times an hour and can last up to 90 to 120 seconds during each occurrence. If the tests show levels above 25 treatment is indicated.

Obstructive sleep apnea causes a drop in one's blood oxygen saturation (SaO2) and an increase in the blood's carbon dioxide (CO2). When the blood oxygen level drops the heart starts pumping more blood with each beat. If the blood oxygen saturation continues to drop the heart will start beating faster and faster.

As the carbon dioxide level increases the brain tells the person to breathe. Eventually that message becomes severe enough to cause an arousal, clearing the upper airway blockage, allowing the person to breathe.

Then you go back to sleep and it happens all over again. The normal range of oxygen saturation is 95 to 100% and yet those suffering from OSA have recorded levels lower than 70%.

Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:

• explosive snoring
• periods of not breathing (apnea)
• waking up not rested in the morning
• poor judgment
• severe morning headaches
• gaining weight
• abnormal daytime sleepiness, falling asleep at inappropriate times
• lack of attention
• loss of memory
• lethargy
• changes in personality

Sources say that there are more than 18,000,000 people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. Unfortunately over 90% of these cases go undiagnosed. This is often because many times those who suffer are unaware of whether or not their symptoms are a sign of a serious sleep disorder. It is often up to family members or partners to help in the diagnosis.

Franklin Harris is a personal coach and mentor. He has actively helped individuals to start and expand their business. In order to make the most of the traits and charcteristics that make a successful entrepreneur taking care of ones health is critical. And when it comes to taking care of one's health, nothing is more important than a good night's sleep.
 

Source: http://sleep-apneamachine.com