Sleep apnea is a much more widely common condition than many would suspect. Studies from the 1990s in the United States estimated that almost a

tenth of middle-aged females and a quarter of middle-aged males were sufferers, though younger adults and children are also affected by the ailment.

It is, of course, a disorder of sleep, in this case how the respiratory system is affected during the hours of repose. Someone affected by the condition will have their breathing pause whilst asleep, with each of these pauses being

known as an 'apnea'. These pauses can last from just a few seconds to a minute or even longer, and the person affected will rarely remember them or be

consciously aware that their night time breathing is so badly affected.

Broadly speaking, there are two classifications of the condition: Central and Obstructive. The former is caused by a lack of effort in breathing regularly

during sleep. Obstructive apnea, on the other hand, is caused when a physical block obstructs breathing even though significant effort to breath is being made.

The obstructive kind is the more common, with sufferers showing symptoms which range from loud and frequent snoring during the night, to a general

fatigue or low mood during the day, the result of disruptions to the patient's sleeping pattern. Many people who are affected by the ailment remain unaware

of the effect it is having, and it often goes undiagnosed and, as a result, untreated.

If it is left untreated, the consequences of the condition can be severe. In very extreme cases, the hypertension that is caused by the stress of a poor night's rest can result in strokes and heart attacks. It must be stressed that the vast

majority of sufferers experience nothing like as severe as those rather frightening illnesses, though the impact on general healthiness should not be

underestimated.

There are a number of conventional treatments for the condition, ranging from surgical procedures to behavioral therapies. However, many conventional

treatments are invasive and require time and a certain amount of resolve from the patient. As such, may people seek alternative, natural therapies.

Altering behaviour is one obvious way of improving matters. Avoiding alcohol and sleeping pills, which relax the breathing apparatus in the body and allow airways to close, is a good start, and smokers would be advised to cut down

significantly or stop completely if they suffer from the condition.

There are several herbs available on the market which can be used to treat night time conditions, including Valerian, Lavender and Chamomile. All help to

produce a more relaxed repose which could help sufferers feel more rested and less tired. Herbs should not be mixed with prescribed medications though, and

a a trained herbalist should always be consulted before using herbs to treat medical conditions.

Another, more eccentric, technique to combat apnea is to learn the didgeridoo, the Australian Aboriginal musical instrument. Playing the instrument

strengthens muscles in the upper airway, making them less susceptible to collapse. Speech therapy exercises may also be useful.

Sleep apnea can be an enervating and troubling condition that should not be taken lightly. There is nothing more important for good health than good rest,

and it is well worthwhile taking any kind of sleep disorder very seriously.

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