In previous years, doctors would treat sleep apnea as if it were an allergy problem or snoring issue. Emotional stress has also been an underlying reason for sleep apnea. It has not been until recently that medical professionals and researchers have discovered the truth behind this insomnia-based complication. The harsh reality of the situation has opened the eyes of the medical field into realizing that this sleeping disorder might be the leading cause of most of the serious medical issues that exist today.

Recently, a study produced by the American Diabetes Association gave proof that almost forty percent of patients, who reported an issue with sleep apnea, have also been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. According to the report released from the study, the researchers have stated that all patients who are having a problem with sleep apnea should be tested for type 2 diabetes. This will prevent those with the first signs of the diabetes stage to be treated appropriately and hopefully contain the issue before it becomes worse.

A scary fact about sleep apnea is that a person with this condition will randomly stop breathing during the course of their sleep. The lapse in breathing could occur for one minute or even more, depending on the person. This causes the brain to be cut off from oxygen during the time that the respiration stops.

The most severe case of this sleep problem is called “Obstructive Sleep Apnea”. This serious insomnia problem is caused by a blockage in the airway path. People with this disorder usually have more periods of breathing lapse during a night, as opposed to those with a regular case of sleep apnea. As time goes on, any form of sleep apnea can lead to loss of memory.

The researchers at the University of California in Los Angeles, United States have given the scientific proof that sleep apnea is the leading cause to memory loss. After conducting various brain scans on 43 patients with the insomnia, there was significant tissue loss in the areas of the brain used to store memory. The same shrinkage in tissue has been found in patients suffering from memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease and alcoholism.

Along with diabetes and memory loss, sleep apnea is also linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. The most common symptoms of sleep apnea are a frequent urge to urinate at night, mood swings and irritability, or a drop in libido. The best way to tell if your partner is suffering from this is to listen for a frequent pattern in snoring that was not present in earlier years or due to a cold, as well as watching for an extreme increase in fatigue throughout the day.

The only way that the problem can be diagnosed is to participate in a sleep lab or sleep study. Your pulse and brain waves will be monitored to watch for any lapse in breathing. Often, a second opinion is necessary. If you notice any of the above symptoms then you are urged to contact your doctor immediately.

Article published by George Venables Sleep Expert at Mattressman suppliers of beds
& mattresses