What is Sleep Apnea and how to treat it

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing stops and restarts repeatedly.

If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night’s sleep, you may have sleep apnea.

Here we will see the types of apnea that exist, symptoms, factors, consequences and possible treatments.

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Main types of sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea: this is the most common form and occurs when the muscles in the throat relax. Central sleep apnea: occurs when the brain does not send the right signals to the muscles that control breathing. Complex sleep apnea syndrome: occurs when someone has obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of obstructive apnea and central sleep apnea coincide, making it sometimes more difficult to determine the type of apnea.

The most common signs and symptoms of obstructive apnea and central sleep apnea include the following:

• Heavy snoring
• Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep (which someone else points out)
• Wheezing when breathing during sleep
• Waking up with a dry mouth
• Headache in the morning
• Trouble staying asleep (insomnia)
• Feeling excessive sleep during the day (hypersomnia).
• Difficulty paying attention while awake
• Irritability

Risk factors

Sleep apnea can affect anyone, even children.

However, certain factors increase the risk.

Factors that increase your risk include:

• Overweight. Obesity greatly increases the risk of sleep apnea.
• Neck circumference. People with thick necks may have narrower airways.
• Narrow airways. You may have inherited a narrow throat.
• Being a man. Men are two or three times more likely to have sleep apnea than women.
• Be older. Sleep apnea occurs much more often in older adults.
• Family history. Having family members with sleep apnea can increase your risk.
• Alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizers.
• Smoking. Smoking can increase the amount of inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airways.
• Nasal congestion. If you have trouble breathing through your nose (either from an anatomical problem or allergies) you are more likely to develop sleep apnea.
• Affections. Congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease are some of the conditions that can increase your risk. Polycystic ovary syndrome, hormonal disorders, previous strokes, and chronic lung diseases such as asthma may also increase your risk. (1)

Consequences of apnea

This disease is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. The lack of oxygenation caused by the cut in breathing can affect the vital organs and the possibility of infarction increases.

In addition, lack of night rest results in drowsiness during the day, which can occur during activities that require our full attention, such as driving or performing hazardous work. It is therefore a risk factor for, for example, road accidents. (2)

The low quality of sleep is directly associated with attention deficit, lack of concentration, memory problems, and disorganization, all of which have an impact on a reduction in labor performance and productivity and increased risk of accidents at work (2-3 times more frequent). (3)

What treatments are possible?

If you have sleep apnea, you may need to make healthy lifestyle changes forever. You may also need a breathing device or an oral device or surgery to keep your airways open while you sleep.

Changes for a healthy lifestyle Some of them may include regular physical activity, maintaining healthy sleep habits and adequate weight, limiting alcohol, quitting smoking, and sleeping on your side and not on your back. This helps keep the airway open while you sleep.

Breathing devices A breathing device, such as a CPAP machine, is the most common treatment for sleep apnea. A CPAP machine provides constant air pressure in the throat to keep the airway open when inhaled.

Oral devices Oral devices, also called oral devices, are custom devices that are usually used in the mouth to sleep. There are two types of oral devices, which work differently to open the upper airways during sleep: mandibular repositioning devices and lingual retention devices.

Therapy for the mouth and face muscles Exercise for the muscles of the mouth and face, also known as orofacial therapy, can help treat sleep apnea in children and adults. This therapy helps improve the position of the tongue and strengthens the muscles that control the lips, tongue, upper airway, and face.

Surgical procedures You may need surgery if other treatments do not work. (4)

Confirming your sleep apnea diagnosis is an important first step before you can get the treatment you need.

Talk to your doctor for more information on how you can resolve your sleep apnea and find the right remedy for you. (5)

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