Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders in the U.S. today, but luckily, it’s easy to treat and the results of treatment are almost immediate. Here are just a few important things you should know about sleep apnea:
First off, sleep apnea typically affects adult men — though it’s possible for kids and women to have sleep apnea, too. It’s typically seen in people who also suffer from another sleep disorder, such as bruxism (grinding the teeth at night).
Unfortunately, it’s not always so easy to diagnose sleep apnea because it occurs when the patient is asleep. In most cases, the patient will begin to notice other physical and mental problems, which result as side effects of sleep apnea. These often include extreme exhaustion that never seems to go away, no matter how much sleep a person gets, and it may include increased irritability, an inability to concentrate, and even high blood pressure and increased stress.
The easiest way to treat sleep apnea is through a sleep apnea mask, otherwise known as a CPAP mask or CPAP machine. This mask fits over the patient’s nose and mouth, and it pushes air through the patient’s airway to make sure that breathing does not stop. CPAP masks come in a variety of styles and sizes, and although it takes some getting used to, the results of a CPAP mask are almost immediate.
If you think you might be suffering from sleep apnea, it’s absolutely essential that you seek treatment or seek a doctor’s advice. You’ll be surprised by just how big of a difference it will make!
