Statistics show that nearly 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. What sleep apnea is would be a condition that causes pauses in normal breathing while you are sleeping? These pauses can range from a microsecond to a few minutes, in extreme cases. When breathing is disrupted during sleep, it can cause the person with sleep apnea to receive poor quality of sleep. Continuous lack of deep sleep will not just leave you feeling tired, it can have far worse effects on your body. In this post, we will be talking about diseases sleep apnea can cause, why a CPAP machine can bring relief for this ailment, and additional tips for your CPAP device.
For many people, getting continually poor sleep can make you feel exhausted. However, there are other ailments that a continued lack of sleep can cause. Statistics show that people with untreated sleep apnea are four times as likely to suffer a stroke, when compared to those without this condition. In addition, those whose sleep apnea goes undiagnosed are three times as likely to develop heart disease than someone who doesn’t have this ailment. One key aspect of treating sleep apnea is to realize that you have it, which can be easier said than done.
A problem that many sleep apnea sufferers often have their condition go undiagnosed. The reasoning behind the wide number of untreated cases of sleep apnea is because it usually happens while they are sleeping. In cases where the person who has sleep apnea lives with someone, they are usually able to report what is happening. However, if you have noticed trouble getting a full night of sleep and wake up feeling groggy you might want to consider seeking the help of a medical professional. The National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research presented data showing that about 38,000 deaths take place annually, all related to conditions that, in one way or another, were related to sleep apnea.
One of the most commonly used methods to treat cases of sleep apnea would be a CPAP machine. Standing for continuous positive airway pressures, a CPAP machine can help sleep apnea suffers enjoy a quality night of sleep. In most cases, your sleep will be monitored which gives physicians relevant data about how you sleep. Next, the physician will ensure that a CPAP machine knows the optimal sleeping levels for you. CPAP machines help eliminate apneas from occurring and will often reduce those apnea induced sleepless nights, so long as you are using the machine properly.
The most common problem that people run into with a CPAP machine is stopping treatments too early. Recent statistics show that nearly 80% of people using a CPAP machine aren’t using it as often as they should be. In order to ensure that you get the best results with a CPAP machine, it is recommended you use it at least 70% of the time throughout a period of 30 days, for a minimum of 4 hours per night. Many times people believe that CPAP treatment isn’t working but they aren’t using the device for the required duration. A recent study showed that about 50% of those who were prescribed a CPAP machine would discontinue use after only seven to 21 days.
In closing, sleep apnea is an ailment that is tough to live with but can easily be taken care of. Sleep apnea causes your breathing to become impaired while you are sleeping. In minor cases, sleep apnea can have you feeling constantly tired. However, as this condition goes untreated, sleep apnea can raise your risk of developing serious diseases. CPAP machines are one of the most popular devices to treat sleep apnea. You will want to make sure that you don’t discontinue use of a CPAP machine too early, a common problem among patients. If you or someone you know is suffering from sleep apnea, it is strongly recommended to check out more about CPAP machines.