Sleep apnea, a breathing problem that occurs during sleep, afflicts more than 12 million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health. It can cause people to stop breathing during sleep for a few seconds at a time, as often as ten times an hour. There is an effective treatment---a nasal mask that gently forces air into a sleeping person so they can keep breathing smoothly.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea occurs when a person's breathing is extremely shallow or even stops temporarily during sleep. This happens because the airways collapse during sleep or they are blocked. This forces the body awake to gasp for air. The constant sleep disruption leads to serious problems like constant sleepiness and an increased risk for diabetes and heart disease.
Symptoms include loud snoring, daytime sleepiness even when a person has gotten a full night's rest, and choking during sleep.
CPAP
The best treatment for sleep apnea is a device that delivers slightly pressurized air during sleep to keep the airways open so a patient can breathe freely, according to MedlinePlus. This nasal mask, called continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP, consists of a motor that gently blows air into a tube connected to a mask that sits over the nose and mouth.
The machine has to be fitted by a medical professional who will determine the proper pressure level depending on the severity of the sleep apnea.
Adjusting To CPAP
CPAP can take some getting used to because it can be difficult to sleep in a mask and breathing with the machine is not like normal breathing. Some people feel confined by the mask, others experience skin or eye irritation, dry or sore mouth, or chest muscle discomfort. It can help to break the mask in slowly, by getting used to breathing with it while awake or gradually building up the air pressure to develop a tolerance for it. Trying different masks or machines can also help.
Risks
CPAP is relatively safe and painless but the mask can cause allergic reactions, dry mouth, nasal congestion, runny nose, sinusitis, nosebleeds, stomach bloating and respiratory infections. Many of these problems can be addressed by adding a humidifier, saline nasal spray or changing the mask.
Benefits
CPAP can eliminate snoring, restore normal sleep patterns, reduce daytime sleepiness and improve mood, productivity, memory and concentration. It is a long term treatment and must be used every night. CPAP also seems to reduce related risks like high blood pressure or the increased tendency to get into car accidents because of sleep deprivation, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The machine also improves the sleep of a patient's bed partners.
