Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea (Obstructive sleep apnea, OSA) is a collapse of the upper airway during sleep, which reduces airflow to the lungs. It has many serious health outcomes if untreated, but can very often be effectively treated with positive air pressure therapy. Nasal problems such as a deviated septum will shut down the airway and increase swelling in the mucus lining and nasal turbinates. Corrective surgery (septoplasty) will maximise the airflow and correct the feedback loop to the brain which keeps awakening the sufferer so as not to asphyxiate.
Central sleep apnea is repeated stops in breathing during sleep when the brain temporarily stops sending signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Read more about this topic: Sleep Deprivation
Famous quotes containing the word sleep:
“There dwell the children of the dark Night, the dread gods Sleep and Death.”
—Hesiod (c. 8th century B.C.)