The Facts on Sleep Apnea

Sleeping apnea is very common disorder where a person has one or more pauses in breathing or even shallow breath while asleep. There can be over thirty pauses in one hour, and when breathing starts again, it is usually with a loud snort. This disorder may even stay unnoticed, but it can affect the quality of sleep, and cause excessive daytime sleepiness. There are three common types of sleeping apnea:

• Obstructive apnea is the most severe type, and it is usually connected with overweight men between 35 and 50 years old. The airway blockage in this case can cause shallow breathing or pauses. This sleeping disorder may get worse when a person drinks alcohol or takes tranquilizers and sleeping pills.

• Central sleep apnea happens when airway remains opened, but diaphragm and chest muscles may temporarily fail. It is more common for people over 60; the sufferer usually does not snore loudly, but he does feel sleepy during the day.

• In some situations, a person may experience obstructive sleep apnea mixed with brief periods of central sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea and menopause

Studies have shown that hormone imbalance can cause many menopausal symptoms, and some may be very severe, such as sleep apnea. On the other side, perimenopausal women are at higher risk of developing sleep apnea than premenopausal and postmenopausal women, especially if they do not use hormone replacement therapy.

The diagnosis of sleep apnea

This disorder cannot be diagnosed easily, and doctors usually do not detect it during a routine visit. On the other hand, most people do not even know they suffer from sleep apnea – a partner is the one who can notice it.

It can be diagnosed by measuring the patient’s heart rate, brain and muscle activity during sleep; but mouth, throat and nose must be additionally checked, as well. Another method is Epworth Sleeping Scale, where a person rates from 0 to 3 the likelihood of falling asleep during particular activities.

Treatments for sleep apnea

Before anything else, it is crucial to distinguish just snoring from sleep apnea. Unlike snoring, sleep apnea will make you experience extreme fatigue and sleepiness during the day. For severe problems, doctors recommend using airway pressure devices and even surgery in order to remove the excess tissue that is vibrating during the sleep. In most situations, it is enough to change sleeping positions, lose weight and use the spray that will keep nasal passages open at night.

Unfortunately, women in menopause can face many other sleeping disorders, such as insomnia and narcolepsy. They can interfere with daily life activities, so they should not be left untreated. Continue reading about facts on sleep apnea during menopause.