Understanding a disorder is your first step to effectively treating it. For instance, many patients who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea are often not aware of their predicament, even when the effects of the sleep disorder begin to manifest in their daily lives. To help you stay vigilant against sleep apnea and its destructive influence, we test your knowledge of the sleep disorder and the mechanisms that cause it with a short sleep apnea quiz.
More About Sleep Apnea
1.) What is the cause, and most obvious symptom, of obstructive sleep apnea?
a.) Snoring c.) Coughing
b.) Sneezing d.) Fever
2.) What does the term “apnea” mean?
a.) To lose sleep c.) To stop breathing
b.) To cause others to lose sleep d.) To sleep loudly
3.) Sleep apnea is untreatable.
a.) True
b.) False
Quiz Answers
1.) Snoring—The mechanisms behind obstructive sleep apnea are the same as those behind snoring, only more extreme. When you sleep, the muscles and tissues in your mouth and throat relax, closing your airway as they collapse into it. Snoring occurs as air tries to squeeze past the shrinking airway and causes the tissue to vibrate. In cases of sleep apnea, the airway closes completely, forcing you to stop breathing for a short period of time.
2.) To stop breathing—Apnea is a Greek word that means to stop breathing; an apt description of what happens to sleep apnea patients. During an apnic episode, your mind panics from the lack of oxygen and wakes your body to start breathing again. The episodes can recur hundreds of times a night, although typically, they don’t fully rouse you from consciousness. Nevertheless, the repeated disturbances can prevent your mind and body from achieving the deep sleep they require to rejuvenate.
3.) False—There are options for treating obstructive sleep apnea, depending on its severity. In most cases, a custom-designed sleepguard can be worn to prevent the collapse of your oral tissues, stopping the mechanisms behind snoring and sleep apnea.
Learn More About Sleep Apnea Treatment
If you snore or suspect that you might have sleep apnea, then visit your sleep expert as soon as possible to diagnose and treat the problem. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling Houston Sleep Solutions in Spring, TX, at (281) 320-2000, or in Pearland, TX, at (832) 564-3508.