The most common sleep disorder is called sleep apnea, a condition involving partial or complete collapse of the airway during sleep. With the airway blocked, no breathing occurs and oxygen levels drop. This collapse happens repeatedly as the person sleeps, and each time the person jolts awake, and in this way starts breathing again.  Patients with sleep apnea are often completely unaware that they struggle to breathe all night long.

The result of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS); its symptoms range from excessive daytime sleepiness to decreased performance at work. Left untreated, OSAS can lead to hypertension and heart problems.

Options for treatment

Sleeping on your back allows gravity to pull on the soft tissues at the back of your throat and neck, causing the breathing passageway to narrow or collapse completely. Sleep-position training can be used to help keep you on your side during sleep, which can improve your symptoms.

Sleep-positioning training can be accomplished in several ways. The simplest approach, called the "tennis ball technique," involves sewing a pocket onto the back of your pajama top and inserting tennis balls into it. If you start to roll onto your back during sleep, the pressure from the balls will encourage you to roll back to your side. A foam wedge strapped to your back can accomplish the same result. Commercial devices with alarms are also available to help you stay on your side during sleep.

For people who are overweight and suffer from OSAS, weight loss alone may be the most helpful treatment. However, once you reach your desired weight, it is important to maintain that weight because snoring and apneas are likely to return with weight gain. Consult a healthcare professional to find out about safe and effective weight loss programs.

Even one glass of wine just before bed can make snoring and apnea worse. Avoid drinking alcohol for at least four hours before bed. Alcohol and sedatives (such as sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety drugs, and some pain medications) can cause the muscles in your throat to relax more than usual and cause an airway obstruction. Alcohol and sedatives also make it more difficult for the brain to "wake up" and notice a lack of oxygen in the system, which results in longer and more dangerous abnormal breathing periods. Talk with your doctor about modifying your medication or alcohol consumption to more appropriate levels.

If you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you upper airway collapses again and again as you sleep. Positive airway pressure (PAP) devices give you just the right amount of pressurized air through a small nasal mask to prevent collapse. Properly set and used whenever you sleep, PAP machines can eliminate your sleep apnea and snoring so that you get a good night's sleep.

An operation may be an option if your healthcare professional finds a cause for obstruction in your airway or if more conservative treatments have not worked. Whatever type of operation is recommended, be aware of the expected success rates as well as all possible risks and side effects.

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider before starting any new treatment. Nothing contained in this information is intended to be for medical diagnosis or treatment.