The literal meaning of Sleep apnea is the "cessation of breath." It is the ongoing episodes of sleep that are continuous obstruction of the person's upper airway. This is typically caused by a reduction in blood oxygen saturation. It is possible that there is airway obstruction in multiple areas.
This can be caused by extra tissue in the airway, such as the tongue, tonsils, or airway muscles, which expand and contract during sleep. The nasal passage and/or the jaw can also other locations where obstruction takes place.
If you want to do a quick self Sleep Apnea Test, see if you suffer from any of the following symptoms: More daytime sleepiness than usual, lots of episodes of obstructed breathing while sleeping (usually someone else will be the one to notice this), or loud snoring. Other symptoms may include: high blood pressure, morning headaches, depression, heartburn, reduced libido, insomnia, restless sleep, rapid weight gain, difficulty concentrating, constant nighttime urination or nighttime gasping or choking.
Sleep Apnea is a serious condition that can potentially threaten one's life. Your doctor can conduct a Sleep Apnea test, called a polysomnography, on you to see if you have sleep apnea or not. This Sleep apnea test monitors brain waves, eye movement, oxygen levels, and muscle tension. The home test you can take hooks up a lot of electrodes to you, and from there you have to record your sleep with a computerized machine that you return to the doctor the next day.
It is estimated that 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. Yet, millions of people go undiagnosed with this condition. The risks of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea include strokes, heart attacks, heart disease, impotence, and an irregular heartbeat. Furthermore, it can cause daytime sleepiness, which leads to accidents, loss of focus and productivity.
Those who suffer from Sleep apnea can actually stop breathing for 30 seonds or so at a time, as the throat muscles close temporarily. They suddenly wake up to gasp for air, sometimes more than 13 times each hour. Patients often do not remember the nightly breathing troubles. But the next they suffer from fatigue because their brains never get enough REM sleep. Usually a family member complains about the snoring, which leads to a doctor visit and a Sleep apnea test.
For around $500, home Sleep apnea tests use breathing monitors to detect only sleep apnea, not other sleeping problems.