Sleep Apnea: What all you need to know and now

Sleep Apnea: What all you need to know and now Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where a person might stop occasionally breathing during its sleep. People with sleep apnea stop repeatedly breathing during their sleep, sometimes over hundreds of times due to which the brain and tissues don’t get enough oxygen. Sleep apnea, however, once diagnosed can be treated by using breathing devices, oral appliances and surgery.

Types of sleep apnea Sleep apnea is of following three categories: ● Obstructive sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by narrowing of the airway as the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses while the person is asleep. This type of sleep apnea is the most common, accounting for about 84% of the total cases.

Obese, elderly, smokers and diabetics are highly likely to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. ● Central sleep apnea: In central sleep apnea, the brain’s neurological mechanism for respiratory control doesn’t function properly while the person is sleep. Due to this, the brain is unable to signal the muscles to breathe, increasing the carbon dioxide levels in the blood stream as a result. Unlike OSA, there’s no struggle in breathing as it stops all of a sudden, but the breathing may be faster when the pause breaks. This type of sleep apnea is rare and chronic. Therefore, it needs to be treated as soon as it’s diagnosed. ● Complex sleep apnea: The combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea is known as complex or mixed sleep apnea. The phenomenon is very rare and usually, happens when the OSA is treated using CPAP. Sleep apnea signs People with obstructive sleep apnea snore loudly while they’re asleep with some pauses. At times, choking or gasping also follows the pauses. The snoring grows louder with the condition getting worse. It is the loudest when one sleeps on their back and is light when one’s sleeping on their side.

Apart from snoring, another common sign of sleep apnea is excessive daytime sleepiness, where a person fights its urge to fall asleep during the day. One can also notice reduced alertness and blurred vision due to improper sleep. When the signs are noticeable, it is advised to consult a doctor to understand your issues better.

Sleep apnea symptoms People with sleep apnea develop behavioral problems due to lack of sound sleep. They become less attentive, lack energy during the day, and are also moody. Sleep paralysis is also a common symptom of sleep apnea, which may also lead to insomnia. People with moderate or severe sleep apnea also have a higher risk of diabetes and liver function impairment. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully analyze the signs and consult a doctor at the earliest.

How to cure sleep apnea Sleep apnea can be reduced with some lifestyle changes. People with sleep apnea are often advised to reduce their alcohol intake, avoid taking sleeping pills, and any form of sedatives.

These sedatives usually relax the throat muscles while one’s asleep, resulting in the collapse of the airway. It is also advised to sleep on the side instead of their back. During the treatment of sleep apnea, the doctors tell the patients not to gain weight as it hinders the progress of the treatment and increases the risk of breathing problems.

Sleep apnea treatment Sleep apnea can be treated with various methods, the most common one being Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). The CPAP is a device that keeps one’s airway open while sleeping by providing a steady stream of air throughout the night. The device has been very helpful in treating the condition amongst many individuals. Apart from this, certain oral appliances can also be used to hold one’s jaw and tongue in place to avoid the obstruction in breathing. In the case of severe apnea, where CPAP and oral appliances do not help, one can opt for surgical treatments as well.