Sleep Apnea is a disorder where the sleeper suffers from regular pauses in breathing due to a blocked airway, as the sufferer sleeps. The condition can lead to more serious health conditions if left untreated.


There are three specific types of Sleep Apnea, Central (CSA), Obstructive (OSA) or mixed Sleep Apnea, a combination of both Central and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Regardless of the kind of Sleep Apnea you suffer from it is likely you will be unaware of your condition.


Below are 5 falsely believed myths about Sleep Apnea, from the symptoms all the way to the diagnosis of the condition to the various treatments available.


1.Sleep Apnea is just snoring: Myth Snoring can often be confused with Sleep Apnea, however there are clear distinctions between the two. As mentioned, people with Sleep Apnea can stop breathing up to 400 times a night. The pauses or "Apnea's" can last from 10 to 30 seconds, which are often followed with a snort which is why the condition often gets confused with snoring. These pauses in breathing can disrupt your sleep pattern making you more tired the following day.


2.Sleep Apnea is not dangerous: Myth The various breaks in sleep can severely disrupt your natural sleep pattern, taking a toll on your body and mind. People with Sleep Apnea often wake up in the night gasping for breath, which can be very distressing and as a result can put a lot of strain on the heart and cardiovascular system. The breaks in breathing can also reduce blood oxygen levels severely. If Sleep Apnea is untreated it can cause car accidents, work-related injuries and strokes.


3.Losing weight can help: Fact If you are overweight or obese you are more likely to suffer with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This is because of airway's surrounding muscle not being well toned causing your airway to be very narrow and restricted. Just by losing a small percentage of your weight can drastically reduce symptoms. Smoking can also worsen the symptoms of OSA, so it is best to get advice from your doctor on how to quit.


4. Only older people get Sleep Apnea: Myth Medical statistics show that around 17 million people alone in the USA suffer from Sleep Apnea. Although you are more likely suffer from the condition if you are over 40, people of all ages, races and body types have been diagnosed with the disorder. However if you are overweight and male, you are more likely to acquire OSA. Sleep Apnea also tends to run through families.


5. CPAP is an effective treatment: Fact The acronym CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. A CPAP machine blows a strong enough stream of air through the airways which will keep your airway open whilst you sleep. The CPAP equipment is seen to be a very effective non-surgical procedure for alleviating the symptoms of Sleep Apnea. CPAP is the most common method of treatment for adult sufferers of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. It has also proved to be very effective.


So now that various myths have been debunked, if you think that you or maybe somebody you know suffer from Sleep Apnea, don't hesitate and visit your family doctor for advice on what to do next.