Sleep Apnea is Cessation of Breathing During Sleep Longer than 10 Seconds
There are two main kinds of Sleep Apnea Obstructive and Central:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea – occurs due to the physical obstruction of the airway
- Central Sleep Apnea – occurs due to cessation of breathing effort by the brain
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NORMAL During normal sleep, the muscles that control the tongue and soft palate hold the airway open. |
SNORING When these muscles relax, the airway narrows. This can lead to snoring. |
OSA If the muscles relax too much, the airway can collapse and become blocked, obstructing breathing. |
- As a person falls asleep, muscles in the body relax and lose their tension.
- In some people, the upper airway be more likely to collapse.
- The collapse of the airway may be partial (HYPOPNEA) leading to snoring.
- If the airway is completely obstructed (APNEA) it leads to complete cessation of breathing or Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
- When the airway is completely obstructed, the body tries harder and harder to breathe increasing blood pressure and heart rate.
- Eventually, a moment comes when the extra effort wakes up the person, immediately causing the muscles to retain their tension and the airways to open up.
- This cycle continuously repeats itself even several hundred times during the night. Because of that, a Sleep Apnea sufferer never falls into deeper stages of sleep that are necessary to feel rested and fresh in the morning.
- The tiredness experienced affects a person’s quality of life, work and relationships.
Sleep Apnea may be a risk factor for other medical conditions
Recent research indicates that Sleep Apnea is associated with many serious medical conditions. If left untreated, Sleep Apnea may be a contributing risk factor in high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, stroke and depression.
- People with Sleep Apnea are 7 times more likely to have a motor vehicle accident
- More than 58% of people with Sleep Apnea may also have diabetes
- More than 35% of people with Sleep Apnea suffer from high blood pressure
- 83% of people who continue to suffer from high blood pressure despite taking 3 or more medications for it, also have Sleep Apnea
- People with Sleep Apnea are 3 times more likely to suffer a work-related injury or fatality
Effective treatment is available
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy works by blowing air under pressure through your partially obstructed airway in order to eliminate the obstruction and to allow you to breathe normally.
Chemistworks offers the latest range of masks and machines for trial and sale. We have a team of trained sleep therapists to help you with all your needs and perform regular service on your Sleep Apnea equipment.
