Sleep Apnea is a sleeping disorder that can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. A long list of health complications can occur if sleep apnea isn’t treated as the diagnosis of sleep apnea across Canada continues to rise.
Untreated sleep apnea causes breathing to stop repeatedly during sleep, causing loud snoring and daytime tiredness, even with a full night’s sleep. Sleep apnea can affect anyone, but most often older men who are overweight.
Let’s take a deeper look into Sleep Apnea and outline the causes, symptoms and possible effective treatments.
Types of Sleep Apnea
#1 Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs as repetitive episodes of complete or partial upper airway blockage occurs during sleep.
Breathing usually resumes with a loud gasp or body jerk. These episodes can interfere with sound sleep, reduce the flow of oxygen to vital organs, and cause heart rhythm irregularities.
#2 Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
Central apnea is related to the function of the central nervous system. The airway is not blocked, but the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe due to instability in the respiratory control center.
Sleep therapy is a common therapeutic method of treating an individual’s issue relating to these common sleeping problems.
People who suffer from common sleeping issues generally enrol for sleep therapy. But as with anything, it’s important to do your research into the service provider as the sleep therapy products are only as good as the manufacturer.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Generally speaking, the first signs of OSA sleep apnea are actually not from the person suffering but more from the bed partner.
Those directly affected don’t typically have sleep complaints straight away, but bed partners do. Many bed partners will complain of frequent moving, loud breathing, and snoring from their partners during the night.
Some common symptoms of OSA sleep apnea include:
Loud Breathing
Snoring
Restless Sleep
Night Sweats
Dry Mouth
Headaches
Signs of CSA sleep apnea generally include more recurring awakenings during the nighttime with insomnia. CSA sleep apnea can also be linked to choking when waking up.
Treatment of Sleep Apnea
The most effective treatment for people with sleep apnea is mechanical sleep therapy.
Mechanical sleep therapy has various different types but the preferred treatment for most people is Positive Airway Pressure (PAP).
The PAP therapy requires patients to wear a mask over their nose and/or mouth. An air blower then gently forces air through the nose and/or mouth. The air pressure is adjusted so that it is just enough to prevent the upper airway tissues from collapsing during sleep.
The most widely used PAP device used in Canada is the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP).
Ontario CPAP
CPAP Ontario is dedicated to providing affordable Sleep Apnea equipment to those who need sleep therapy in Canada. We offer products and equipment that is specifically made to help people in Canada improve sleep at an affordable price.
Millions of Canadians have trouble sleeping or suffer from issues relating to sleep. At CPAP Ontario we offer solutions to your sleeping issues with a wide range of products that include advanced technical machinery, masks, and accessories.
For more information on Sleep Apnea in general, and for a breakdown of all our products available, visit our product range here.
