Sleep Disordered Breathing can simply be snoring or it can be a more serious condition called Sleep Apnea. Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder characterized by interruptions in breathing during and snoring noises during sleep. Apnea is a Greek word meaning "want of breath".

Apnea is caused by mechanical or structural problems in the airway, which create interruptions in breathing during sleep. In some people, the throat muscles and tongue relax and collapse during sleep and completely or partially block the opening of the airway. When the muscles of the soft palate and the uvula relax and sag, the airway becomes blocked making breathing difficult and noisy.

There are two types of apnea: central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send the appropriate signals to the muscles responsible for initiating breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when there is an obstruction in the airways causing interruptions in breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common of the two.

For someone who suffers from apnea, the number of involuntary breathing pauses or "apneic events" during sleep can be as high as 50 or more an hour. With each event, the brain briefly arouses the person from sleep in order for him or her to resume breathing, but consequently sleep becomes fragmented and of poor quality.

Apnea can have some serious health consequences such as high blood pressure, memory loss, sexual dysfunction, heart attacks and strokes. In addition untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for depression, job impairment and motor vehicle accidents.

Possible Treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea:

Weight Loss:
By diet, physical exercise, gastric surgery or other means, you may need to achieve normal weight. In some patients, even a small amount of weight loss may be helpful.

Modification of Sleep Position:
If you sleep on your back it may be helpful to start sleeping on your side.

Treatment of Chronic Nasal Obstruction due to:
Infection, allergy, nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum, previous surgery, etc.

Use of Nasal CPAP:
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the most effective means in preventing sleep apnea.

Dental Appliances to Prevent Apnea:
These include so-called mouth guards, dental or tongue retaining devices. These have proven to be effective in patients with mild apnea.

Medications:
Vivactil (protriptyline), nasal decongestants, aminophylline and others

Surgery:
Variable efficacy, may need combined approach of several surgeries sequentially (removal of tonsils and/or adnoids, nasal surgery, nasal septoplasty, removal of nasal polyps, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, hyoid suspension, sliding osteotomy, mandibular advancement, base of tongue reduction).

Avoid factors, which make Obstructive Sleep Apnea Worse:
Alcohol or other depressant medications such as sleeping pills (even over the counter sleeping pills).

If you suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea, you should discuss these options with your physician in order to find out which is the best treatment for you.