Sleep Apnea

Ellen J. Barrier







Sleep Apnea, is a serious condition to many like myself, who have experienced it.
This is a condition that robs an individual of their sleep. And can be life threatening. It can cause death to occur during sleep. Not only does this condition occur in older individuals, it occurs in the very young. In the young, it is oftentimes called nightmares.


Apnea as pertaining to breathing, is the cessation of breathing, usually of a temporary nature. It may result from reduction in stimuli, to the respiratory center as in over-breathing, in which carbon dioxide content of the blood is reduced; from failure of the respiratory center, to  discharge impulses as occurs when the breath is held voluntarily. Or during Cheyne-Stokes Respiration.

This condition should be taken seriously, especially, in those who have medical conditions such as arteriosclerosis, meningitis, coma, heart and kidney diseases, and brain injury, when a concussion has resulted.

Apnea has been noted in perfectly healthy children, and in people of older ages during sleep. Which is why it got the name “Sleep Apnea“. The symptoms are characterized by a gradual increase in breathing rate, until it ends in a gasp followed - by a gradual decrease until respiration ceases, then it begins again. Also, respiration can gradually increase in force and frequency and then suddenly cease.

Another name for apnea, is Respiration Cheyne-Stokes. Breathing in which respirations gradually increase in rapidity and volume until they reach climax, then gradually subside and cease entirely for 5 to 50 seconds, then they begin again. It is usually a forerunner of death, but may last for several months or a few days. This type of respiration is not necessarily associated with disease. It is observed in normal persons during sleep, especially older people. And has been noted in some people while visiting areas of moderately high altitude.

From my very own experience with sleep apnea, I know that during periods of stress, or fatigue, the attacks will become very frequent and severe. I found  a way to keep the attacks at minimum, and moderate, by exercising & relaxation. And learning how to deal with stress. 


http://barriershealthandfitness.com/

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