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LAWRENCEVILLE — Sleep apnea is a growing health concern in the United States.
But the nature of the malady and the risks involved are unknown to millions of Americans, many of whom literally lose sleep to it every night.
According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, the Greek word “apnea” means “without breath,” which is exactly what it is — a cessation of breath during sleep.
These moments of breathlessness occur repeatedly throughout sleep time and have been known to last anywhere from a few seconds to longer than a minute.
There are three types of apnea, according to the ASAA — obstructive, central and mixed.
Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form, is caused by airway blockage, oftentimes when soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses and closes while the person is sleeping.
With central sleep apnea — which relates to the central nervous system — there is no airway obstruction, but the brain does not signal the muscles to breath.
Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of the two.
With all three types, the oxygen-deprived brain wakes the sufferer so he or she can resume breathing, so they never seem to get a good night’s rest.
Sleep apnea can affect anyone, including children, but ASAA statistics show that overweight men 40 and older seem to be the target group.
Studies also suggest that young black men are a target group.
Other groups at risk include those who have a large neck size, large tonsils or a larger that normal amount of tissue in the back of their throat, according to WebMD.
Most people need between seven and nine hours of uninterrupted sleep, but those who suffer rarely come close to getting that much interrupted sleep, said Greg Mauldin, medical director of the Center for Sleep Disorders at Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville.
Some of the warning signs of sleep apnea include chronic snoring and waking up in the middle of the night gasping for air, Mauldin said.
Oftentimes, a spouse or bed partner sees the effects of the malady, when those affected (often snorers) get quiet for a brief period and wake up suddenly, gasping for air.
A common danger is falling asleep behind the wheel, which can be the result of sleep deprivation.
Joel Wilsford, 52, a metro Atlanta resident who suffers from central sleep apnea, can attest to the sluggishness and can recall numerous occasions where he would fall asleep in the shower, while watching television and even while driving.
He has suffered from sleep apnea for about eight years.
“What led me to ask my doctor for help was I could not get to work in the mornings without taking a nap about halfway or falling asleep at the lights,” Wilsford said. “I felt exhausted before I did anything. It was frustrating.”
As for other risks, Mauldin said that an increase in the likelihood of heart attacks and stroke are potential risks.
Other effects from untreated sleep apnea include cardiovascular disease, memory problems, impotence, weight gain and headaches, according to the ASAA.
One of the more popular sleep apnea treatments is the nasal CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), which Wilsford uses and has nothing but good things to say about it.
A CPAP is administered through a mask that sits over the patient’s nose or nose and mouth while he or she sleeps, allowing air to enter.
“I look like I am getting ready for a jet fighter plane when I get to bed,” Wilsford said. “At first, it was a little awkward because it forced me to sleep on my back. A position I usually felt suffocated in. After about three days, I had zero adjustment problems and even with a cold manage a great night’s sleep.”
Wilsford usually gets about seven hours a sleep per night, and his symptoms have improved dramatically since he sought treatment.
Many people in the U.S. go undiagnosed, mainly because of a lack of awareness.
The ASAA asserts that sufferers need to know that sleep apnea is treatable.
For more information about sleep apnea, treatment and other risk factors, visit www.sleepapnea.org.
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