Sleep apnea may cause health problems, slow metabolism, and impair quality of life

Getting good quality sleep every night promotes healthy metabolism and is essential for normal functions of the brain, and the cardiovascular system. There are several forms of sleep disorders that can potentially cause serious health problems. The most common sleep disorder that affects both quality of life and metabolism, and even the cardiovascular system, is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This disorder has to do with intermittent obstruction of the air flow while sleeping due to a collapse of the tissues surrounding the back of the mouth and throat. The most common symptoms viewed as clues that you may have sleep apnea are waking up for no apparent reason throughout the night, frequent urination at night, and waking up with a gasping or choking feeling. If you notice your partner snoring, having pauses in breathing while asleep, or exhibiting labored breathing, you need to bring these symptoms up so that your partner’s doctor considers setting up a sleep study to diagnose sleep apnea. The most commonly offered treatment for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure machine, or CPAP machine. The device uses a mask placed over the face and pumps air into the nose during the night at varying pressures to avoid breathing interruption. Some people do not feel comfortable using the CPAP device, but it is important to try it for at least two weeks to determine if it will work for you. A mouth appliance that adjusts jaw positioning to improve airflow is another option for people who cannot use the CPAP machine. Improving your diet, losing weight, engaging in regular exercise, and managing stress are good adjunctive measures to manage sleep apnea. Taking care of your sleep apnea is likely to improve your overall health and quality of life.