Sleep Apnea - What is your feelings/knowledge?

I didn't see a section on just plain health issues so I am putting it here. Hope this is the right section.

Article on Sleep Apnea.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...EA24/TPHealth/

Anyone ever hear of this or have it? Why do you think it happens or what is your insight into this health problem?

Sleep Apnea generally occurs in higher percentages in overweight people, though obesity is not a requirement ot have this ailment.

If you are tired and sleepy during the day, but sleep a normal night lengthwise (8hours plus), you should check up on the possibility of the disorder with your doctor.

If you think you have it, I think you should definately go see a doctor. Getting treatment for this problem can really affect not only your chances of death, but your day to day quality of life.

__________________
"When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night he checks his closet for Cam McHargue"

If you snore loudly...you need to be tested

__________________
You are not where you have been and you are not where you are going you are only here.

My ex husband suffered with sleep apnea for years. (Actually I suffered from his sleep apnea). He was not really over weight, and he never drank alcohol. Those are 2 major stressors.
Back in the early '90's, the wait list for sleep studies was not too long, so he got treated quickly. His O2 sturation was very low and the hospital staff said that he was one of the worst cases they'd seen.
I bought a CPAP machine for him. (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) Back then they were $1200.00 and not covered by medical insurance. They are now, apparantly.
This unit draws in room air, then through a series of (expensive) filters, sends it through the nasal prongs, into your nose, forcing air to keep the epiglotis open, thus preventing one from snoring. It works pretty well. Some nights he was able to snore in spite of it, but within one week of using it, he was feeling 100% better. He stopped falling asleep during the day. His body aches and pains were gone, and he was less grouchy. (Of course he was still an @$$h0le. They haven't found a machine to cure that yet.) the machine is not really noisy. It's like a loud humidifyer. The wearer may complain of discomfort and increased intestinal gas, but they get use to it.
I know for sure that there is one less guy out there falling asleep behind the wheel of a 5 ton truck.

__________________
"I say, if you want to find out where the road goes, get in the fast lane and hit the gas." Calvin and Hobbes

Hmm, I try not to be a hypochondriac, but Storm's post makes me wonder. I guess it doesn't hurt to ask.

My dad has it and now he has this breathing machine to use while sleeping. It's helped him have more energy during the day now that his body has the air to regenerate at night.

I've had sleeping problems all my life and so the doctors thought I had it too. But no, I've just got an overative mind that won't turn off and let me sleep.

__________________
Always fear the man with nothing to lose
- J

If you have cavities, you probably most likely have some sort of sleep problem as well.

Your health starts in your mouth.

read: http://curezone.com/clark/sleep.asp

I never fell asleep in the day, but I used to be VERY VERY tired. I could sleep at night and not wake up but it wouldn't be restful. Not anymore though.

__________________
Land of the Slave, home of the Knave.

“	Originally Posted By: StormMountain sleep a normal night lengthwise (8hours plus)	”

that's for people without kids I guess???

I get 8 hours plus max 1 time in a week....

Chief108

__________________

“	Question Authority. Question Society. Question Reality. Question Yourself. Question your conclusions, your judgments, your answers. Question this. If you question everything thoroughly enough, the truth will eventually hit you upside the head and you will know. But here’s a warning: It won’t be what you imagined. It won’t be even close.	”

all hail Martyr Fakka

“	Originally Posted By: Jaron My dad has it and now he has this breathing machine to use while sleeping. It's helped him have more energy during the day now that his body has the air to regenerate at night. I've had sleeping problems all my life and so the doctors thought I had it too. But no, I've just got an overative mind that won't turn off and let me sleep.	”

Hey Jaron, I use to be like you. No matter how tired I was, I just could not get my brain to turn off. I don't condone pill popping, but... When I started working 3 jobs and I NEEDED to get to sleep fast (sometimes I get 4 hours between jobs) I took 0.5 mg of Xanax before bed just to calm my mind thus enabling sleep. After 2 weeks I sort of trained myself to sleep on demand, and didn't need it anymore.
When I was a stay at home mom, it didn't matter that I hadn't had any sleep. I could be dozy and put the toaster in the fridge nobody cared. Now, I need to be alert because I'm pouring meds for patients, and trying to stay awake for 12 hour night shifts. Ya, ya, ya, I know, we should be meditating instead of pill popping and all that, but when you have A.D.D. it's really hard, and I think short term help is allowed.
(not suggesting you have A.D.D., Jaron)

__________________
"I say, if you want to find out where the road goes, get in the fast lane and hit the gas." Calvin and Hobbes

“	Originally Posted By: bsd_tector No matter how tired I was, I just could not get my brain to turn off.	”

Curse of possessing a higher intelligence. . .

“	Originally Posted By: bsd_tector Now, I need to be alert because I'm pouring meds for patients, and trying to stay awake for 12 hour night shifts.	”

I've never understood that. I have a close friend that's an RN and she tells me stories of working 12 - 18 hour shifts. How is that healthy? And not just for her but her patients. Hey, people get tired and drowsy. That's just asking for people to screw up in my opinion. Doesn't keep the hospitals from staffing it that way though.

“	Originally Posted By: bsd_tector not suggesting you have A.D.D., Jaron	”

Oh, I've had that for some time now. Apparently I wasn't taking school seriously enough when I was five, I wanted to run around and play instead. Can't remember it too much now, the number of pills those psychiatrists prescribed. . .

__________________
Always fear the man with nothing to lose
- J

RE: long shifts
Something to do with continuity of patient care on that shift, also it's nice for some nurses to only work 3 x 12's per week with 4 days off.

__________________
"I say, if you want to find out where the road goes, get in the fast lane and hit the gas." Calvin and Hobbes

some things to avoid if you have it, chocolate, alcohol they both will trigger attacks.
People in advanced stages will have breathing attacks that includes the throat closing. It can kill you. The long term effects of not enough oxygen in the bloodstream means irregular heart beats, that leads to arrhythmia, and then to stroke or heart attack. It also can and does cause brain damage, and effects the digestive system.

There are no pills or medicines but reducing weight helps a lot.

The cpap machine is the best thing but it is not a cure.

As many as 50% of adults have it in some form

__________________
You are not where you have been and you are not where you are going you are only here.

It can lead to stroke/brain damage as Aqira stated.
But I've got to disagree with the alcohol....take a shot of whiskey each night before you go to bed and you wont snore as much and sleep more soundly.... But dont take my word for it !

__________________
If you understand, things are just as they are; if you do not understand, things are just as they are.
-Zen proverb

From the pine tree
Learn of the pine tree.
And from the bamboo
of the bamboo
-Basho

<< I've got to disagree with the alcohol....>>

except that it is a medical fact

__________________
You are not where you have been and you are not where you are going you are only here.

Except it was a joke....of course..then again doctors have said for years that one should drink one glass of red wine per day for health reasons. So I guess it's not a medical fact

__________________
If you understand, things are just as they are; if you do not understand, things are just as they are.
-Zen proverb

From the pine tree
Learn of the pine tree.
And from the bamboo
of the bamboo
-Basho