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All Posts Tagged: elderly

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Sleep Apnea Effects on Blood Pressure

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Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that effects many Americans from all walks of life. Although it is more prevalent among certain segments of the population (men, smokers, overweight individuals, and those of Hispanic or African American descent tend to be more susceptible to the disorder), anyone can suffer from sleep apnea. In contrast to many other sleep disorders, which may cause insomnia or difficulty staying asleep, sleep apnea causes repeated waking or changes in sleep due to episodes of breathing cessation. People with obstructive sleep apnea (the most common form) experience interruptions in breathing due to blockages of the airway, whereas people with central sleep apnea (a rarer form of the condition) stop breathing temporarily because of signaling errors in areas of the brain that control breathing.

Although many people think of snoring as sleep apnea’s characteristic symptom, it can actually have much more serious consequences. Snoring is an annoyance – especially for bed partners of sleep apnea sufferers – but it is by no means the only, or the most serious, outcome of the disorder. In fact, although they are often associated, not everyone with sleep apnea will experience snoring. A range of potentially serious health problems can result from untreated sleep apnea, however, including an increased risk of stroke.

People with sleep apnea are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, which in turn elevates the risk of stroke. Repeated interruptions in sleep during the night can trigger a nervous system response that causes blood pressure to soar. People of all ages who have sleep apnea are at an increased risk for stroke. However, in older adults, for whom the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke is already higher, the association between untreated sleep apnea and stroke is of particular concern. Taking steps to detect sleep apnea early, and to begin treatment as soon as possible, is essential in mediating the risk of stroke and other health problems associated with the condition.

Edison Home Health Care is happy to advise and assist you or any loved one who seek appropriate care for sleeping problems. Give us a call at 888-311-1142, or fill out a contact form and we will respond shortly.

General Home Care New York

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Sleep Disturbance of Sleep Apnea

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Sleep apnea is a very common disorder that affects tens of millions of Americans. It is most common among men and people over the age of 40, as well as overweight individuals and people of African American or Hispanic origin. However, anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or body type, can suffer from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is often first detected when a bed partner notices snoring on the part of the affected individual. However, snoring does not always accompany sleep apnea; even someone who never snores can have the condition.

Sleep apnea is characterized by repeated interruptions in normal breathing during sleep. This can be caused by soft tissue blocking the airway (obstructive sleep apnea), by abnormal signaling in the parts of the brain that control the muscles used for breathing (central sleep apnea), or by a combination of both (mixed sleep apnea). When breathing stops or becomes too shallow, a brief period of wakefulness, or a shift from deep to light sleep, often occurs. Although sleep apnea sufferers may not remember waking during the night, these changes in normal sleep patterns can have a profound impact on their wellbeing. Poor sleep often results in daytime fatigue, which can lead to emotional problems such as irritability and depression, increase the risk of on-the-job or automobile accidents, and cause problems with memory and concentration.

In addition to the primary effects of poor sleep on it sufferers, chronic sleep apnea can have long-term health implications. Ailments such as stroke and heart disease, as well as diabetes and high blood pressure, are associated with untreated sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can also worsen underlying medical conditions, and result in a lower quality of life for its sufferers. For these reasons, it is essential for people who suspect they may have sleep apnea to be proactive about pursuing treatment.

Edison Home Health Care is happy to advise and assist you or any loved one who seek appropriate care for sleeping problems. Give us a call at 888-311-1142, or fill out a contact form and we will respond shortly.

General Home Care New York

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Breathing Stoppages of Sleep Apnea

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Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by interruptions in breathing during sleep. Although it can affect people of all ages, it is very common among older adults. Sleep apnea often occurs when the airway is temporarily blocked by soft tissue due to relaxation of the muscles of the throat. This type of sleep apnea is known as obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can also be the result of abnormal signaling in the part of the brain responsible for breathing, causing momentary stoppage of breath. This type of sleep apnea is called central sleep apnea, and is more common among people who have experienced heart disease or a stroke. The two types of sleep apnea may appear separately or in tandem.

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious disorder that can lead to complications, and exacerbate existing ailments and illnesses. It is a major culprit in insomnia, interrupting normal sleep and leading to daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and problems with memory and coordination, especially in older adults. Sleep apnea can also worsen cardiovascular disease and liver problems, and increases the likelihood of a stroke.

For people who suffer from sleep apnea, breathing stoppages can occur from five to 30 times every hour. Even when people with sleep apnea don’t remember the brief periods of wakefulness that accompany a cessation of breathing, these episode can severely compromise the quality and quantity of sleep. Additionally, the loud snoring that often accompanies sleep apnea can be very bothersome for bed partners, causing them to lose sleep and suffer from the symptoms of insomnia. Although not everyone who has sleep apnea snores, the snoring that goes along with frequent cessation of breath is one of its telltale signs. Often, a bed partner’s observation of snoring is the first thing that alerts sleep apnea sufferers to the problem.

Edison Home Health Care is happy to advise and assist you or any loved one who seek appropriate care for sleeping problems. Give us a call at 888-311-1142, or fill out a contact form and we will respond shortly.

General Home Care New York

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Sleep Apnea

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sleep apneaSleep apnea is a common disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during the night. One of the leading causes of snoring, sleep apnea isn’t just annoying – it can have serious health consequences. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of the disorder, and is caused by airway blockage. This type of sleep apnea can affect anyone, although it is more common in overweight individuals. Another type of sleep apnea is central sleep apnea, which is caused by faulty signaling in the part of the brain that controls breathing. Many sleep apnea sufferers have a combination of both kinds.

Sleep apnea is often first detected through snoring, as the bed partners of sleep apnea sufferers are often kept up or wakened by snoring throughout the night. Although snoring in itself is problematic, it’s not the only reason to take sleep apnea seriously: left untreated, sleep apnea can cause or exacerbate heart problems, diabetes, stroke, obesity, high blood pressure, and other ailments.

For older adults, a group among whom insomnia is particularly prevalent, sleep apnea can worsen the condition and further compromise sleep. Because high quality sleep is vital in retaining memory, motor function, coordination, and emotional health, it is especially important for seniors to address insomnia. One of the best ways to insure a good night’s sleep is to treat sleep apnea as soon as it is suspected, as well as exploring the root causes of the condition.

The first line of treatment for sleep apnea usually involves lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation, weight-loss, and avoiding alcohol, muscle relaxers, and other drugs that may compromise the airway by relaxing the central nervous system. Mechanical treatments, such as special mouth appliances, pillows, and supports, can also be used. If these approaches don’t work, surgical intervention, or the use of special machines that keep the airway open by blowing pressurized air through a face mask, may be indicated.

Edison Home Health Care is happy to advise and assist you or any loved one who seek appropriate care for sleeping problems. Give us a call at 888-311-1142, or fill out a contact form and we will respond shortly.

General Home Care New York

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Health Problems Related to Insomnia

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Insomnia is one of the leading complaints among older adults. Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, waking during the night, and waking up early in the morning and being unable to go back to sleep are all indications of insomnia. While everyone, regardless of age, needs to get adequate sleep, it can be more difficult for seniors to get the seven to nine hours of sleep necessary for optimal health. This can be due to a variety of factors. Underlying biological changes have a big impact on quality and quantity of sleep: as people age, the amount of time they spend in deep sleep relative to lighter sleep stages changes. Additionally, alterations in circadian rhythm (also known as the “biological clock”) often cause people to become sleepy earlier in the evening and wake earlier in the morning.

As well as the changes in physiology that accompany age, seniors suffer at higher rates from many illnesses and ailments that can cause or exacerbate insomnia. Breathing problems are often responsible for difficulty falling asleep, and for waking up in the middle of the night. Sleep apnea (the most common cause of snoring), asthma, or diseases like emphysema can all cause sleep troubles. Chronic pain due to diseases like arthritis can also keep sufferers up at night. Illnesses like dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s often lead to insomnia, as do heart disease, kidney disease, and gastrointestinal problems, such as acid reflux.

Insomnia can often make the symptoms of illness worse. It can also interfere with everyday activities. People who suffer from poor sleep are more likely to experience car accidents, falls, and other mishaps. Poor sleep can also compromise memory and make communication more difficult. For people suffering from insomnia, everyday tasks like meal preparation, cleaning, and self-care can become difficult, as exhaustion makes even the simplest of tasks harder. For these reasons, it’s important to take insomnia seriously, and treat it proactively.

Edison Home Health Care is happy to advise and assist you or any loved one who seek appropriate care for sleeping problems. Give us a call at 888-311-1142, or fill out a contact form and we will respond shortly.

General Home Care New York

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