SLEEP APNOEA & SNORING
from The Blue Mountains Gazette
According to Jennifer Harris of Buteyko Breathe Easy breathing through the mouth during sleep can lead to disturbances like snoring, asthma and dental abnormalities as well as the condition known as sleep apnoea.
“The term apnoea is used to describe a pause in breathing of 10 or more seconds. Sleep apnoea is defined as having 30 or more apneic episodes per eight hours of sleep.
Sleep Apnoea Syndrome is characterised by numerous apneic episodes along with loud snoring and daytime sleeping. SAS has a wide range of side effects such as the inability to stay awake during the daytime, anxiety, depression, irritability, morning headaches, sexual dysfunction, chronic tiredness, high blood pressure and swelling of the extremities. There are social side effects such as a household irritated and/or worried by their relative’s snoring and struggles to regain breathing after each apneic episode. SAS sufferers sometimes fall asleep at work or while driving a vehicle. SAS then becomes life threatening to others as well.
Learning to breathe correctly at all times, even during sleep, is beneficial to all SAS sufferers, even those described as having obstructive sleep apnoea. This approach improves overall health through improvements in oxygenation 24 hours a day. Exchanging poor breathing habits for healthy breathing habits leads to a lifetime of better health.
It is wise for all those who suspect that they have sleep apnoea to see their doctor to organise a formal sleep study to ascertain the severity of their condition.”
If you have any enquiries about breathing or Pilates, please phone Jennifer Harris BIBH FATD on 0414 833 857 or visit Jennifer’s website at www.pnc.com.au/~breatheasy or email breatheasy@pnc.com.au.