Sleep apnea affects thousands of people each year in the United States alone. Many suffer from the problem long enough to cause significant health problems. There are two categories of sleep apnea: primary and secondary.
Sleep apnea occurs when a person stops breathing while sleeping or snoring. If it is not treated, there is a risk of very serious medical conditions. An untreated condition of apnea can lead to mild brain damage, as well as potentially fatal cardiovascular disease and strokes.
A stroke is a sudden lack of blood to the brain. There are two main types of stroke, ischemic and hemorrhagic. Both can cause death. And both can happen partly as the result of sleep apnea.
An ischemic stroke occurs when part of the brain dies suddenly because of a blood clot that obstructs blood flow. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel inside the brain begins to bleed.
Either type of stroke can occur when the brain is deprived of oxygen for a long period of time because of sleep apnea.
Often, the most serious effect of a stroke is memory loss. If someone has either type of stroke, treatment is necessary immediately to prevent permanent damage to the brain.
There are many other symptoms associated with sleep apnea, so it is very important to make sure that you visit your doctor for a full examination. It can be difficult to detect the disorder initially, and it can be difficult to diagnose if your doctor doesn’t know what to look for.
Sleep apnea is a serious condition. You need to get it checked out. Even if you aren’t affected by the disorder now, you may be at a higher risk later on.
There are a number of treatments for sleep apnea. The most common is surgery. Other treatments include exercises, prescription drugs, and devices that are worn during sleep.
One type of device is designed to wake you up during nap times so that you can take a few extra moments to catch your breath. Many individuals find that these devices are very effective.
Proper management of sleep apnea will improve your health dramatically. Although the condition affects millions of people in the United States alone, it is often overlooked until it becomes a much bigger problem. If it is caught early, you can actually prevent permanent damage.
