Snoring & Sleep Apnea No More PDF / Book Free Download Snoring & Sleep Apnea No More By David Ortega | Page 13

Sleep Apnea: A Closer Look
Of all the snoring-related physical ailments noted above, arguably the most severe – and
ironically least understood – is a condition called Sleep Apnea. These two words should
be emblazoned in the minds of every snorer, and anyone who lives with or cares about
the safety and well being of a snorer.
The word apnea in the term Sleep Apnea derives from the Greek term for absence of
breathing. That, in a nutshell, gives a sense of how dangerous Sleep Apnea can be; it
literally refers to a condition where breathing stops during sleep.
There are three types of Sleep Apnea:
1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea
This is the most common type of sleep apnea and occurs when your airway collapses
during sleep and becomes blocked by your tonsils, tongue, uvula (the hanging tissue at
the back of your throat), your throat muscles or some fatty tissue in the throat. Your brain
gets signals that your breathing is blocked and you wake.
Obstructive sleep apnea can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness and even narcolepsy
(sudden lapse of consciousness), which can be dangerous. The continual deprivation of
oxygen during episodes increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other
cardiovascular problems.
2. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
This is a less common form. Your breathing muscles stop temporarily when
communication to or from your brain is interrupted. The symptoms are like obstructive
sleep apnea but there are usually some others such as changes in your voice, body
weakness, numbness of body parts and difficulty in swallowing.
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