In some people, sleep apnea is a quiet nuisance. It can cause a person to wake up in the middle of the night for no apparent reason. Sometimes it can be an annoyance, causing fatigue and loss of concentration, as well as having other serious consequences. Often the only time a person is aware of the apnea is when they feel like they have a heart attack, or they hear a wheezing sound while sleeping.
Sleep apnea is also called Obstructive Sleep Apnea. It causes a person to stop breathing for short periods while they are asleep. This causes a pause in the heartbeat, and the breathing stops momentarily. The longer the person’s breathing stops, the longer the apnea can last. A sleep study conducted on patients with sleep apnea demonstrated that individuals who stop breathing for longer periods had higher blood pressure readings than other individuals. This suggests that the blood flow to the brain can become compromised and that oxygen cannot reach all the cells that are in the brain.
The occurrence of acne usually occurs when the individual stops breathing during the daytime. They do not remember having a full night’s sleep, and they experience long periods of loss of consciousness at night, being awakened by this temporary loss of breath. While in a deep sleep state, they may pass out for a short period but will wake up again quickly. Many people suffering from this disorder have said that they were awake and alert during their entire sleep apnea episode. While it can be a serious health problem, many things can be done to help individuals avoid suffering from sleep apnea. These include avoiding alcohol and drug use, taking medications that can be addictive, quitting smoking, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, and exercising regularly.
