Cause of central sleep apnea
One common type of sleeping disorder is known as sleep apnea, a condition in which a sleeping person experiences multiple periods of paused breathing. What causes sleep apnea is the relaxing of the muscles in the back of the throat. These muscles support the interior structure of the mouth including the soft palate, uvula, tonsils, the walls of the throat, and the tongue. When throat muscles relax too much, the airway is closed partially or entirely and the body can’t take in new air. A physician with experience diagnosing sleeping disorders may prescribe a sleep apnea test to determine that a person’s symptoms are in fact sleep apnea and not another type of sleeping disorder. If sleep apnea is diagnosed, the physician may go on to prescribe the use of a CPAP machine while a person sleeps.
Sleep Study Clinic Los Angeles is a high end sleep clinic offering treatment for sleep disorders like sleep apnea. Our physicians are experienced and accomplished and our staff can answer any questions you may have about sleeping disorders and potential treatment options. What Causes Sleep Apnea What causes sleep apnea is the relaxation of muscles in the throat during sleep. Sleep apnea doesn’t discriminate and just about anyone can develop the condition, but certain factors will significantly increase a person’s chances for developing sleep apnea – those factors include obesity, heart failure and other cardiac disorders, history of stroke, physical features (like the natural width of the airway), family medical history, nasal congestion, gender (men are twice as likely to develop sleep apnea), smoking, age (sleep apnea becomes more likely with age), high blood pressure, and the use of alcohol, sedatives, narcotic pain medications and tranquilizers (because of the relaxing effect they have on the muscles of the body and throat).
Sleep apnea can stem from various factors:
Excess weight: Obesity may cause the build-up of soft tissue around the airway, obstructing breathing during sleep.
Anatomical features: Certain traits like a large neck circumference, narrow airway, or enlarged tonsils/adenoids can contribute to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Age: Sleep apnea tends to become more prevalent with age, possibly due to changes in muscle tone and overall health.
Gender: Men are at a higher risk of developing sleep apnea, though post-menopausal women face an increased risk as well.
Family history: There’s a familial tendency for sleep apnea, suggesting a possible genetic component.
Smoking: Smoking exacerbates the risk of sleep apnea by inflaming and narrowing the airways.
Alcohol and sedatives: Pre-sleep consumption of alcohol or certain medications can relax throat muscles, leading to airway collapse.
Medical conditions: Disorders like congestive heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, and hormonal imbalances can elevate the risk of sleep apnea.
Neuromuscular disorders: Conditions impacting the muscles or nerves involved in breathing, such as muscular dystrophy or Parkinson’s disease, can contribute to sleep apnea.
Sleep position: Sleeping on one’s back may heighten the chance of tongue and soft tissue collapse, impeding breathing.
Sleep Apnea Test
Symptoms of sleep apnea generally include excessive drowsiness during the day, headaches, waking up with dry mouth, waking from sleep coughing or choking, and snoring so loud that you wake yourself and / or others asleep nearby. If you think you may be experiencing one or more of these sleep apnea related symptoms, then you should make an appointment with a physician who has experience diagnosing sleep related disorders- like a physician with Sleep Study Clinic Los Angeles. For convenience and comfort, we can complete a sleep apnea test in a person’s own home to determine if a person is actually suffering from sleep apnea or a different sleep disorder. If a sleep disorder is diagnosed, we can prescribe a course of treatment that can drastically improve a person’s ability to sleep at night.
CPAP Machine
For many sleep apnea patients, a CPAP machine – which stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure- is like an answer to a prayer. A CPAP machine works by continuously pumping air through a tube connected to a face or nasal mask worn by the sleeper. The air enters the airway and, through continuous positive pressure, keeps the airway open so that the body can receive oxygen and so the user can enjoy more uninterrupted sleep.
Sleep Study Clinic Los Angeles
Our high end sleep clinic is just the place to go if you’re having difficulty getting a full night’s rest or if you think you may suffer from a sleep disorder like sleep apnea. We’re an experienced medical office with physicians on staff and a team of helpful representatives who can answer any of your questions. To schedule an appointment with a sleep disorder physician, get in touch with Sleep Study Clinic Los Angeles today.