Sleep Apnea is a condition that affects nearly 20 million Americans. It is also referred to as “sleep-disordered breathing” because those who are affected by it receive inadequate airflow while asleep. If not corrected, this condition can lead to an increase in risk of stroke, congestive heart failure, heart attack, and dementia.
This poor breathing causes a rise in carbon dioxide levels in the body which sends a signal to the brain, alerting it to breathe. This can shock the sleeper, causing them to wake up or send them into a lesser stage of sleep and can happen hundreds of times throughout the night.
There are two types of sleep apnea: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Central Sleep Apnea (CSA).
First, we’ll examine OSA. OSA is caused by the airway becoming obstructed. This is because when asleep, soft tissues collapse. Gravity pulls the tissue down and blocks the airway. Common obstructions are the tongue falling into the back of the throat, enlarged tonsils and adenoids or asthma.
Next, we’ll examine CSA. CSA is caused by the brain not receiving accurate information about CO2 levels in our body. This inaccurate information can cause a disruption in our breathing. CSA is less common than OSA. And it is mostly caused due to external factors such as medication use and/or alcohol use.
One way to help reduce airway obstructions that lead to OSA is by elevating the head. Lifting the head tends to allow the larynx to rise away from the posterior pharyngeal structures, opening the airway. Our mattress store in Georgetown Texas offers adjustable bed bases for sale with the ability to accomplish this goal. Our bases can elevate the head nearly 90 degrees, thus helping to eliminate some of the causes of sleep apnea.