Sleep apnea is relatively common among sleep disorders and is best characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. One common symptom of this sleep problem is heavy snoring. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea.
If left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can become serious. One can always go and visit the sleep disorder clinic for information on treatments, but there are many things that can be done without seeking the help of professionals.
Changes in diet, less alcohol, and sleeping at a 30 degree angle can all help to treat this most unnerving of sleep disorders and give one a much better sleep experience. Playing the didgeridoo, for example, or using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device. While the former helps by making the muscles in the upper airway stronger, the CPAP device is the most common treatment and works by regulating the flow of air into the patient's throat.
Although surgery can be an option in certain cases, it often results in unpleasant swelling of the throat and mouth which many view as counter-productive, as far as treatment is concerned.
