Usually the person wakes up as he cannot breath. It's a reflex. You would have to have severe sleep apnea with a very high arousal index, but in those cases you would have a blockage somewhere and be in the care of a doctor. Treatment for S A is avoiding alcohol, avoiding sleeping on your back, and losing weight.
Also, patients sleep with dental devices, and also resort to surgeries. CPAP therapy is usually not tolerated well by the sleep apnea patient.
When this happens in infants it is called Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.They usually do not wake up.
Health For More » Diseases and Conditions » Respiratory Diseases
Can Sleep Apnea cause SUDDEN DEATH!?
(4 posts)-
Posted 1 year ago #
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In short, YES. Some people have it for years and do not know and pass it off. They end up dying in their sleep. SA does cause heart problems mainly because the heart and blood are not getting enough oxygen.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Yes
Reggie White's Death Linked to Obstructive Sleep Apnea
http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/SleepDisorders/298Posted 1 year ago # -
Yes. The floppy airway tissues that flap back in forth (what you hear when you snore) block your airway causing you to stop breathing. Then after not breathing for a minute or two, your heart rate begins to slow down. If you continue to not breathe, then your heart will eventually stop due to lack of oxygen causing death. Also by not breathing, CO2 (the gas you exhale) rises to a toxic level and contributes to your death as well.
Posted 1 year ago #
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