Snoring

All you need to know about obstructive sleep apnea

We all love our sleep, but there are many people who have some problem related to sleep, the most common of which is snoring. Snoring while sleeping is a problem which not only troubles the snorer but also troubles the other person. This problem of snoring is known as sleep apnea and it is a sleep related disease. This problem may seem simple, but it can even cost you your life.

In sleep apnea, breathing becomes intermittent while sleeping and many a times the breath gets stuck, due to which not only snoring occurs but many other serious problems start occurring, one of which is obstructive sleep apnea. Apnea (Obstructive Sleep Apnea – OSA). Obstructive sleep apnea, or obstructive sleep apnea, is a type of sleep apnea that is considered the most lethal because it can be life-threatening. Let us know in detail about this sleeping disorder through this article.

What is obstructive sleep apnea? 
Obstructive sleep apnea or obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder or condition in which a sleeping person’s body stops breathing and starts breathing again after some time. This time of inhalation and exhalation can be more or less, but generally this time period is only in seconds. This period of not breathing, called apnea, occurs because the throat’s airways become too narrow to allow the flow of air.

There are several types of sleep apnea, but the most common and serious is obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when throat muscles relax intermittently during sleep and block your airway. The biggest sign of obstructive sleep apnea is “snoring”. There are treatments available for obstructive sleep apnea. This sleep problem is most common in older men, but it can affect anyone, including children. This may also start happening in women after menopause.

What causes obstructive sleep apnea?

The causes of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are as follows:-

  1. Obesity hypoventilation syndrome
  2. Certain endocrine conditions
  3. Chronic lung disease
  4. Neuromuscular conditions
  5. Heart or kidney failure
  6. Pregnancy

Causes, symptoms, treatment and types of sleep apnea

Obesity hypoventilation syndrome – In this problem, people have trouble breathing due to obesity.

Certain endocrine conditions – hypothyroidism, acromegaly, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Due to all these problems there is problem in breathing while sleeping.

Chronic lung disease – asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pulmonary fibrosis.

Neuromuscular conditions – stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, myasthenia Gravis (Myasthenia gravis) and Myopathy. In all these problems a person has to face problems while sleeping. The extent of sleep related problems depends on the severity of the disease.

Heart or kidney failure – Both of these problems cause fluid to build up in the neck and chest, which can cause obstruction in the upper airway. This condition is more common in kidney failure patients, because due to kidney failure, they are unable to remove liquid waste products from the body through urine. Due to this, a lot of liquid waste product starts accumulating in the chest due to which the kidney patient starts having problems in breathing and this happens more while lying down. To get rid of this condition, dialysis is used.

Pregnancy – During pregnancy, from 6 months onwards, a woman may have problem in breathing while sleeping, this is normal. For this, talk to your doctor.

What are the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea?

People who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea mainly experience two symptoms, first – snoring and second – excessive daytime sleepiness. You have already known above why snoring occurs during this problem, whereas due to lack of proper sleep at night, it is natural to feel sleepy during the day.

Generally, following symptoms are seen in obstructive sleep apnea:-

  1. Loud snoring
  2. Panting
  3. Feeling suffocated

Snorting – problem of loud air coming out from the nose

  1. Interrupted breathing while sleeping

Along with the above symptoms, the following health problems also appear as symptoms:-

  • Severe headache in the morning
  • Forgetfulness
  • Sleepiness
  • High blood pressure
  • Lack of sex
  • Redness of eyes

During this period, some mental symptoms may also appear: –

  • Feeling dissatisfied
  • Always be angry
  • Having depression
  • Poor performance at work

Due to lack of proper sleep at night, one faces problems while driving. Because of this the risk of road accidents increases.

What are the risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea?

Any person can have the problem of obstructive sleep apnea. But, some of the following factors may increase the risk of obstructive sleep apnea.

Increasing age – The risk of obstructive sleep apnea often increases after the age of 60 to 70. But this is normal.

Narrowed airways – If a person’s airways are naturally narrow then he may also suffer from this problem. Apart from this, people who have enlarged tonsils or adenoids can also have this problem.

High blood pressure – Obstructive sleep apnea is relatively common in people who have been suffering from high blood pressure for a long time.

Diabetes – Obstructive sleep apnea may be more common in people with diabetes.

Family history of sleep apnea – Having family members with obstructive sleep apnea may increase your risk.

Asthma – According to a research, a relationship has been found between asthma and the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. Having trouble breathing due to asthma is the biggest connection between these two.

Prolonged blocked nose – Many people often have the problem of blocked nose, which is also called catarrh. They may also have the problem of obstructive sleep apnea, because the airway gets narrowed due to nasal blockage.

Overweight – People who are overweight are more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea. Obesity can cause obstruction in breathing due to accumulation of fat around the upper airway. Apart from this, some medical conditions related to obesity, such as hypothyroidism and polycystic ovary syndrome can also increase this problem.

Smoking – People who smoke are more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea because they often have trouble breathing.

How is obstructive sleep apnea diagnosed?

While diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea along with other sleep apnea, daytime sleepiness and snoring are considered to be the biggest signs of this problem. Additionally, the doctor may examine the head and neck to identify any physical factors. The doctor may also ask you to fill out a questionnaire about daytime sleepiness, sleep habits and sleep quality. The doctor can get information in this regard from the patient as well as his family, especially those who share the bed with the patient.

Apart from this, the doctor can also advise to get some polysomnography (PSG) done, so that complete information can be obtained in this regard. During a polysomnography test, the patient has to spend one night in the hospital so that the examination can be done properly while sleeping.

Polysomnography: The following tests can be done while sleeping: –

Electroencephalogram (EEG) – In this test brain waves are measured.

Electroculogram (EOM) – This test works to measure the movement of the eyes.

Electromyography (EMG) – In this test, muscle activity is measured.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) – This test measures the heart rate and rhythm.

Pulse Oximetry Test – It works to measure the change in oxygen level in the patient’s blood.

How is obstructive sleep apnea treated?

Obstructive sleep apnea can be treated by the methods described below and this problem can be got rid of forever.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) – Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is used first in case of obstructive sleep apnea. It is used through a face mask worn at night. The face mask gently provides positive airflow to keep the airways open at night. Positive airflow keeps the airways open. CPAP is a highly effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.

Weight loss – Obstructive sleep apnea can be easily relieved by losing weight. As weight loss starts, this problem starts getting relief.

Management of risk factors – If a person has started having the problem of obstructive sleep apnea due to any risk factor, then the doctor can advise you to correct the concerned risk factor. For example, if a person has the problem of obstructive sleep apnea due to high blood pressure, then the doctor may ask him to control his blood pressure.

Bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) – Bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) machines are sometimes used to treat obstructive sleep apnea if CPAP therapy is not effective in a patient. BPAP machine, sometimes called a BiPAP machine. This machine has settings that provide two pressures in response to your breathing: inhalation pressure and exhalation pressure. This means that the pressure changes during inhalation and exhalation.

Sleeping on your side – Sleeping on your back can increase the problem of obstructive sleep apnea. In such a situation, the doctor may advise the victim to sleep on his side.

Surgery – Surgery is often done in case of obstructive sleep apnea, but this happens only in very serious conditions and this treatment is done only with adult people. Surgery for obstructive sleep apnea is usually performed when bilevel positive airway pressure and continuous positive airway pressure machines, as well as other oral appliances, do not work properly.

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