Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a severe chronic disease that affects a person's breathing while he or she is asleep. If not treated, it can cause major health issues at an individual level. Sleep apnea sufferers snore and may also wake up feeling weary despite having slept through the night.

Types of Sleep Apnea?

There are three primary types of sleep apnea:

Sleep Wake Apnea (OSA)

Owing to its dangerous effects, OSA is also known as sleep apnea or obstructive sleep apnea / hypopnea syndrome. This is the most common type. It occurs when the muscles arias at the back of the throat relax at times, thus narrowing the airway.

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)

This type is when your brain fails to provide appropriate signals to muscles that dictate options for breathing.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS)

The most severe form of OSAS is Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Said to be a combination of both OSA and CSA is the treatment-emergent central sleep apnea.

If you even have an inkling that you are suffering from any of the types of sleep apnea, you should see a doctor. Screening and timely intervention can help you get better quality sleep and enjoy better health.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SLEEP APNEA

It is therefore important to identify some of the signs that may point towards sleep apnea in an endeavor to get appropriate treatment. Here are some signs to watch out for:

• Loud snoring.
• Waking up with a dry mouth.
• Morning headaches.
• Difficulty in breathing during the night or while asleep.
• Sleep conditions such as insomnia or difficulty staying asleep.
• Restlessness and loss of concentration.

In case of any of the due symptoms, it means we can visit the health expert.

When to Seek Professional Medical Help?

If you or someone else observes loud snoring, choking, or gasping during sleep it is needed to act. Discomforts such as difficulty in sleeping, persistent fatigue, irritation, or difficulty in concentration during the day are also indicative of the condition. They can be caused by sleep apnea but can be symptoms of another disease as well. If the unchecked mischief arises, do not hesitate to seek medical advice.

Risk Factors of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Specifically, OSA takes place when muscles at the back of the throat slacken. These muscles bear certain types of organs such as the tongue and tonsils.

When the throat muscles relax:

• The airway either becomes smaller or shuts during breathing.
• Oxygen levels in your blood decrease.
• It confesses the problem to the brain, and for a moment or two, you're awakened to help open the airway.
• This may occur several times in a single hour, thus affecting a person's ability to get sound sleep. You may get choked, start snoring, or gulp for air often at night without even realizing it when you wake up.

How Central Sleep Apnea Occurs?

OSA is different from CSA. In this case, your brain fails to relay correct instructions to the muscles that control breathing. This results in apneas during sleep which are temporary losses of breath. Sufferers of CSA have poor sleeping habits; they wake up gasping for breath and spend most of the night awake.

Known Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea

Some conditions predispose one to have sleep apnea Some of the conditions may include the following. These include:

• Excess Weight: Deposition of fats around the upper airway can make it difficult for one to breathe.
• Neck Size: Having a thicker neck may lead to a condition that results in a narrow airway.
• Age: Hypersomnia is more likely to affect old people as compared to other age groups.
• Family History: This paper shows that genetics are at some level involved in determining the likelihood of a person developing sleep apnea.
• Smoking: Smoking results in irritation and swelling of the airway as well as build-up of fluid.
• Nasal Congestion: Breathing through the nose reduces airway resistance and therefore makes it easier for air to reach the lungs; when this is not possible the risk is high.
• Gender: While sleep apnea itself is more common among men, postmenopausal women are also at risk.

Conditions Associated with Sleep Apnea

Untreated sleep apnea can lead to several health issues, including:

• Heart Disease: This condition raises one's chances of a stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
• Stroke: Any form of breathing interruption can increase the risk of stroke.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Insulin resistance is highly linked to sleep apnea.
• Liver Problems: Patients with sleep apnea tend to have signs of liver disease.
• Daytime Fatigue: This means that patients sleeping less have too much stagger time during the day and this affects their work and safety.

How is Sleep Apnea Treated?

The treatment depends on its stage and sometimes the conditions that cause sleep apnea. Common options include:

• Lifestyle Changes: Yes, it is good to shed excess pounds, stop smoking and curtail alcohol. Side lying is also a good position to avoid the symptoms associated with the condition.
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): A CPAP machine blows air pressure to help keep your airway open throughout the night. This is the predominant therapy for moderate to severe OSA which affects half the population in the United States.
• Oral Appliances: If your jaw or tongue can be adjusted, then custom-fit devices will maintain the opening of your throat.
• Surgery: For some patients, surgery is needed to take out the affected tissue or fix any abnormality in the structure of the organ.

Some Safe Strategies to Help People with Sleep Apnea

In addition to medical treatments, these natural remedies may help:

• Weight Loss: Weight loss is a very effective way of minimizing airway blockage.
• Exercise: Daily physical exercise enhances health and sleep.
• Avoid Sedatives: Avoid or better still cut on alcohol and sleeping pills since they cause relaxation of the muscles of the throat.
• Sleep Positioning: It's dangerous to sleep on your side rather than your back because it reduces the flow of air.

Measures to take for the Next Better Sleep:

Sleep apnea is not merely loud snoring; it is much worse than that. It is a severe disease that directly affects your well-being and the condition you are in. If you or someone you know has sleeping apnea you should consult a doctor. As a result of appropriate diagnosis as well as effective treatment people can have better nights' sleep, enhance their mood, and increase their levels of energy.