Have you heard that a person snores loudly while sleeping, and sometimes even seems to be choking? It could be sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing is interrupted during sleep . This can last for seconds, minutes, or even more than 30 times per hour.
Sleep apnea: what it is, symptoms, and causes
Sleep apnea can occur at all ages, but its frequency increases in older adults and can have consequences by collapsing the airway and disrupting sleep.
There are three types of apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea . This is the most common type of sleep apnea and occurs when the throat muscles relax.
- Central sleep apnea . This is when the brain doesn't send correct signals to the muscles that control breathing.
- Complex sleep apnea . Also known as emerging central sleep apnea, it is a combination of the two.
People with sleep apnea are at greater risk for traffic accidents, work-related accidents, and other medical problems.
Some of its symptoms are:
- Waking up the next day with a dry mouth.
- Sore throat in the morning.
- Lack of attention.
- Morning headache.
- Stop breathing while sleeping.
- Gasping for breath during sleep.
- Trouble staying asleep.
- Loud snoring.
- Excessive sleepiness during the day (hypersomnia).
Do you feel sleepy during the day? Learn what hypersomnia is.
These would be some of the causes of apnea
- Alcohol and sedatives . By relaxing the throat muscles, they may worsen obstructive sleep apnea.
- Anatomy . A thick neck would mean narrower airways. Similarly, tonsils or adenoids can also enlarge and block the airways, especially in children.
- History . Having family members with sleep apnea may increase your risk.
- Age . Sleep apnea occurs much more frequently in older adults.
- Breathing problems . Nasal congestion could contribute to obstructive sleep apnea.
- Overweight . Fat deposits around the upper airways can obstruct breathing.
- Smoking . Smoking can increase the amount of inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airways.
What consequences could sleep apnea have?
- Feeling sleepy during the day, fatigue and irritability.
- Difficulty concentrating when performing everyday tasks.
- Irritability, bad mood or depression
- High blood pressure or heart problems.
Men are two to three times more likely to have sleep apnea than women.
- Type 2 diabetes (due to insulin resistance).
- Metabolic syndrome.
- Complications with medications and surgeries (due to sleep and anesthesia).
- Liver problems.
What should I do if I have sleep apnea?
Of course, the first step is always to consult a healthcare professional. There are treatments that help relieve symptoms and even prevent other complications, such as heart problems.
A specialist might recommend the following:
- Oral appliance . These are custom-made oral devices that open the airways for better breathing.
- Upper airway surgery . This is a procedure to open the airway and prevent the airways from narrowing during sleep.
- Continuous positive airway pressure . Also known as CPAP, this is a type of mask that fits over the nose and mouth to send pressurized air into the airways while you sleep.
- Get a pillow or cushion to help reduce snoring. There are products specifically designed to provide anti-snoring sleep.
The TheraJoy pillow is designed to help keep your airways open for a more comfortable night's sleep. It also features a breathable cover to disperse heat and prevent moisture and sweat buildup.
You can also use a wedge-type backrest cushion like TheraMaster , which is specifically designed to help you achieve an anatomical posture that improves your neck position so that your airways are freer when you sleep, without pressure or folding over on themselves.
Sleep apnea, a problem that requires attention
As we've seen, disorders like sleep apnea may be relatively common among people, but that doesn't mean they don't require serious treatment with appropriate follow-up.
There are several alternatives to address this condition, and the sooner the better, as we've already seen the consequences it can have both during the day and at night.
