Sleep Apnea and why we need to care

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What is sleep apnea and how does it affect your health?

Sleep apnea is a sneaky sleep disorder that can go undiagnosed for years until the disturbed sleeper finally discovers that something is wrong. The effects of sleep apnea on health are also not easily detected, and are usually blamed on other factors. Keep reading to *learn more about this disorder and how to identify it.What is sleep apnea?Sleep apnea is frequent pauses in breathing while a person is asleep, which can happen hundreds of times per night in the worst cases. The constant starting and stopping of the person’s breathing can lead to serious health effects, which makes it important to identify and treat sleep apnea as early as possible. There are two types of sleep apnea that are most common in sufferers:Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea. It occurs when the sleeper’s throat muscles relax and block the airway, causing snoring and feelings of choking.Central sleep apnea is when the brain simply does not tell the rest of the body to breathe. These pauses can last up to 20 seconds and usually jerk the person out of deep sleep with each occurrence.Sleep apnea symptomsMost people who are dealing with sleep apnea are unaware because it happens while they are fast asleep. The symptoms are usually first noticed by someone who is observing the person sleep, and they include:GaspingTwitchingChokingSnoringEffects of sleep apnea on healthSleep apnea can lead to daily fatigue because it keeps people from the restful benefits of regular sleep patterns. Even when the person has seemingly had a full night of high-quality sleep, tiredness can still overwhelm them the next day because they never fully experienced the deep sleep that refreshes a person.This sleep deficiency can add up over periods of time and lead to dangerous situations in which cases the person drives, operates machinery or other attention-requiring tasks while drowsy. In addition to tiredness, sleep apnea can contribute to:High blood pressureStrokeMemory lossSleep problems for family members and bed partners due to loud snoringWeight gainImpotenceHeadachesMoodiness or depressionDiabetesSleep apnea treatmentsThere are several treatment options for sleep apnea – some of which can be done at home, and some of which require professional help. You may find relief by visiting a dentist who is experiencating sleep apnea. These dentists can create devices that hold the airway open during sleep to ensure normal breathing.Other possible treatments include:Weight reductionAvoiding smoking, alcohol and sleeping medicationsChanging sleeping positionsSurgeryIf you suspect you are dealing with sleep apnea, don’t hesitate to visit a specialist who will use advanced technology to diagnose your sleep disorder. The specialist will also be able to recommend treatment for you and send you to an dentist who specializes in sleep apnea.


Tgis is something we HAVE to watch guys. This effects probably a good chunk of us and we dont know it. Hope this helps out some one.
 
I got it bro..been sleeping with a CPAP for 6 years now.. went t the sleep study yars back..i use to wake up outta a sound sleep gasping for air..Scary as shit.. i go nowhere without the cpap now...
 
I got it bro..been sleeping with a CPAP for 6 years now.. went t the sleep study yars back..i use to wake up outta a sound sleep gasping for air..Scary as shit.. i go nowhere without the cpap now...

J I have been there too brother. That is the scariest shit ever. You wake up gasping amd u dont know if your going to breath again lol. I had tried relaxing when I woke up lile that but when u cant gasp one bit of airbos hard tp stay calm cool and collected. I am glad that I have been loosing the fat as I have because even though I was 168@5'9 wich u might think is skinny with 40% body mass as fat you still look like the micheline guy.

Once I get back to am area I cam use a lap top I will post some pics of my face. I am way tpo embarrased to post pics of my body. I know that it will be hard loosing the last bit of lower back amd belly fat but I am giving myself a year amd a half to lean out and gain. I am looking to go to 201-210 diet down and them cpme back up to that weight a few times until I am nice amd tight and stay there.
 
Have you done the sleep study bro? You sleep there the night they hook up all types of wires and shit to you and moniter your breathing while you sleep...they will confirm or not if you have sleep apnea...tellin you my friend that cpap changed my life...sleep like a baby..im 100% refreshed now after a nights sleep...stay motivated brother..you will get your body to look how you want...discipline and dedication and you sound like you have both..look into that cpap..youll be amazed if you do...good luck man..
 
I've read that CPAPs can alter the shape of your face by the way the jaw is shifted at night for prolonged periods.

nah bro thats nonsense..its a tiny nose piece that pumps air into your lungs continuously while you sleep...the only thing it alters is your sleep patter..it improves it 100%
 
I guess you don't have the full face mask? I did a sleep study a long time ago and he said it wasn't sleep apnea causing me not to enter REM sleep but he had no idea what it was. I ran out of patience and stopped going for more tests.
 
Best thing I ever did for myself was get the sleep study done , I would highly recommend anyone with this problem not to wait , get yourself checked out .love my cpap ! Recovery, plain and simple
 
In my sleep study I averaged 35 times/hour stopping breathing.

Needless to say I got a CPAP machine and overall health has inproved significantly.
 
Man, I've been putting off a sleep study for some time. I too have woken up completely out of breath and panicked. Thanks for the reassurance fellas, <3 'ology.
 
Also I might add while sleeping with a cpap it lowers your BP by 10%. Good stuff!

Sleep apnea is actually a major cause of high blood pressure. Especially for those that need multiple bld pressure meds for control.

One of the biggest concerns for undiagnosed sleep apnea is the developement of Pulmonary Hypertension and right sided heart failure.
 
Radio around here is advertising an in office procedure to fix apnea and replace cpap. Wonder what that's about BC. I'm due for a sleep study shortly
 
This folks is a silent killer. Not because ypull die over night but because slowly it takes your life away. Starts with your sleep then your bp and then your heart and its stated in the article many times many of the secpndary issues due to sleep apnea are treated wrongly leaving the sleep apnea and the issues gettong wprse. If your a big boy regardless go get a sleep study done apecially if u feel tired every damn morning you wake up. It will be the beat thing you will do for your health ever.
 
I had a tonsilectomy, adnoidectomy, septoplasty, and nasal turbinate reduction to clear up my sleep apnea. Throat was in so much pain I lived off jello for 3 weeks.
 
I had the sleep study done several years before I actually used my cpap regularly.
Technology changes brought a variable pressure machine that would relax the air pressure as I would breathe out. With the first unit it felt like I was suffocating.

I might mention also that you need to try several masks until one feels tolerable.
Now I don't ( read can't ) sleep without it, and my wife will sleep with my all night/ double bonus
 
Good thread. Important to note that sleep apnea increases RBC production, aka elevated hematocrit levels. Coupled with steroids, it's a surefire way to require bloodletting often.
 
Hmm interesting read. My wife says that when I bulk up over 220 my snoring becomes sporadic and crazy loud. Wonder if this has anything to do with this.
 
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