It has been recorded that about 5% of the population suffers from the condition known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea, but this number does not take into account those who suffer from it and aren’t even aware of it. The problem with detection is that it needs to be observed by an outside party, and oftentimes it is written off as snoring, which means the condition remains undetected and sleep apnea health issues are ignored for years at a time. Once the condition is diagnosed, however, proper treatment can be prescribed. Unlike insomnia, there is no drug treatment for sleep apnea, and usually, the only course of action available is a CPAP machine.
Treatment for Sleep Apnea Health Issues
A CPAP (or an APAP device) device is a machine responsible for forcing air down the patient’s throat during sleep, and as of right now, this, along with other *PAP machines are the only source of treatment available on the consumer market. This, however, might be about to change, as MIT researchers have come across a dietary supplement known as yohimbine, which reverses the root cause of obstructive sleep apnea.
The Root of Yohimbe
The supplement in question is derived from the bark of the African Yohimbe tree, and it is definitely not a new discovery. While it is not FDA approved for many of its uses, it has been put to use as an aphrodisiac and has even been used by bodybuilders to burn fat. Recently, as we mentioned, it has been shown to reverse the causes of obstructive sleep apnea, making it a great potential player in the medical arena.
Something important to note about this, however, is that while the clinical results have been pretty promising, patients should not be taking it on their own, especially if they suffer from conditions such as high blood pressure, anxiety disorders, or heart disease as this could elevate those conditions and cause additional health problems.
CPAP machines, often prescribed by physicians after using sleep apnea study equipment on their patients and they do work, very well, but almost no one enjoys using them. Sleep apnea machines are inconvenient, they are uncomfortable, and many of the patients who are prescribed them never even use them.
Striking a Nerve
Doctors are currently attempting to address the problem by targeting the hypoglossal nerve, the one responsible for controlling the tongue. The idea is to stimulate the nerve so that the tongue does not fall backward during sleep, thereby causing obstruction.
MIT’s approach has been a bit different, as research suggests that the hypoglossal neurons controlling the tongue are stimulated by the pons, located in the brain stem. Two groups of neurons in the pons have been believed to activate, or at least contribute to the activation of the hypoglossal neuron. Animal testing has revealed that obstructive sleep apnea can be artificially imposed, meaning we are one step closer to finding a cause and potentially a cure.
In the end, the studies must go on, and when it comes right down to it, a solution will be beneficial for everyone, even if the condition effects only 5% of the population. From frustrated partners to angry family members, the stoppage of snoring can be highly beneficial and will most definitely help the individual suffering from sleep apnea. While snoring is definitely an annoyance, the long-term implications of sleep apnea will prove to be even more of an inconvenience for the individual who is suffering from it.
That being the case, scientists continue to toil and come up with new treatment methods. As you can see, we’re pretty close to a breakthrough or potentially a treatment in the next few years. It’s all a matter of time, and to be quite honest, it’s all worth it in the endeavor to finally replace that dreaded CPAP machine that has caused more sleepless nights than the condition itself. Stay tuned for more information and more breakthroughs in the area of sleep apnea.
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