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Sleep apnea is a serious and life-threatening sleep disorder affecting a large percentage of the population. This disorder has been labeled the silent killer.

 

Sleep apnea is defined by continuous involuntary breathing interruptions during sleep. These interruptions – or apneic events, as they’re called – can last anywhere from a short second to a couple of minutes, occurring up to 30 times within a single hour. Apneic events pose a threat to the body because they lower oxygen levels in the bloodstream while simultaneously boosting its carbon dioxide, or CO2, levels. This imbalance then triggers the brain to quickly open up the airway, causing loud snores and partial awakening.

 

As a result, this constant stimulation to both the brain and upper airway muscles prevents the body from getting the deep sleep it requires night after night. Because sleep apnea doesn’t always fully awaken sufferers at night, patients may go years without the diagnosis and proper treatment they need, all the while experiencing chronic daytime headaches and drowsiness.

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Snoring and/or mouth breathing, which many people may consider “normal” are possible signs of Sleep Apnea as they are often caused by a restricted upper airway. All breathing should be silent and through the nose. Not only is the silence appreciated by others, but there are many other health benefits from quiet nasal breathing. If left untreated, Sleep Apnea could lead to a range of diseases, such as:

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• high blood pressure

• heart attack

• stroke

• diabetes

• depression

• memory loss