Sleep is a vital aspect of your life, which helps your body to recharge and rejuvenate. However, for many individuals, a good night's sleep is disrupted by a common yet often misunderstood condition known as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is the most common disorder among other sleep disorders.
It is characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep, causing a significant impact on overall health and quality of life. There is no cure for it, but you can still treat sleep apnea by using positive airway pressure CPAP machines with the guidance of your sleep specialist.
In this article, we will delve into the causes and symptoms of sleep apnea. This insight will help you in treating sleep apnea. It can also shed some light on how sleep apnea is diagnosed. So, if you are curious, then make sure to stick to the end.
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses, also known as apneas, can last a few seconds to minutes. The episodes of apneas can occur multiple times throughout the night. The disruption in breathing often leads to a reduction in oxygen levels in the blood.
Since it happens while you are asleep, it can strain your brain, as it triggers the brain to briefly awaken from a deep sleep to restore normal breathing. These awakenings are usually brief. Most of the time, individuals don't remember waking up, but they disrupt the natural sleep cycle, preventing restful and restorative sleep.
Sleep apnea is primarily divided into three categories: Obstructive sleep apnea or mild sleep apnea, Central sleep apnea and Complex or mixed sleep apnea, which is a severe form of sleep apnea.
The three primary categories of sleep apnea have different causes. Some cases include the inability to breathe during sleep, while others involve the dysfunctionality of the brain. The causes of sleep apnea affect your cardiovascular health as well. Some of the main causes of these three different types of sleep apnea are:
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of this sleeping disorder. It usually occurs when the muscles at the back of the throat relax excessively. As a result, it leads to the narrowing or complete closure of the airway. Some of the reasons behind this excessive throat relaxation include obesity, excess weight around the neck, or structural abnormalities in the airway.
Unlike OSA, central sleep apnea is not caused by a physical blockage of the airway. Instead, it occurs due to the failure in the brain's functionality. An ideal case of CSA happens when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles responsible for controlling breathing. This can be due to certain medical conditions or medications that affect the respiratory control centers in the brain.
In simple words, when an individual suffering from sleep apnea sleeps, they experience breathing problems such as disruptive breathing. This happens because of an incompetent brain and could lead to severe symptoms of sleep apnea. A continuous positive airway pressure machine is used to have a good flow of air in the airways.
The name of complex or mixed sleep apnea is pretty much self-explanatory. Complex sleep apnea occurs when the individual carries both the symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apnea syndromes. It is an advanced form of sleep apnea often found in individuals who initially had OSA that was left untreated for a long period.
The patients can experience excessive amounts of restless sleep, which might affect the quality of their lives, causing high blood pressure problems. As the obstructive component is treated, the central component may become more apparent.
While sleep apnea can affect anyone, it can sometimes be due to genetic conditions; there are still certain factors that increase the risk of developing the condition. Some of them are:
Obesity: Excess weight, especially around the area of the neck, strains the airways, causing them to narrow, which can create breathing interruptions while sleeping.
Neck Circumference: A thicker neck can cause a narrower airway, making it more susceptible to obstruction in breathing.
Gender: A sleep study has found that men are more likely to develop sleep apnea than women. However, the risk for women increases if they are overweight, and the risk also rises after menopause.
Age: Older individuals have various health conditions that might develop these sleep disorders. Thus, sleep apnea is more common in older adults.
Family History: If you have a family history of sleep apnea, you might be at a higher risk.
Nasal Congestion: Conditions like allergies or a deviated septum can obstruct the nasal passages and contribute to sleep apnea.
Smoking: Smokers are at a higher risk of developing sleep apnea due to inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway.
Sleep apnea symptoms can vary in severity, and many times, it might be subtle. Due to this reason, it's important to pay attention to the potential signs mentioned below:
Persistent loud snoring.
Pauses in breathing muscles.
Excessive daytime sleepiness or dizziness due to poor sleep.
Frequent morning headache.
Experiencing difficulty in sleeping.
Waking up, gasping or choking as if there is not enough airflow in the airways.
Dry mouth or sore throat.
Mood disorders related to agitation or irritation.
Trouble concentrating.
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that can not be taken casually. It can significantly impact the overall well-being of an individual if left untreated. All these things can put the quality of life of the patient at higher risk. Therefore, understanding its causes and recognizing its symptoms is the first step toward seeking proper diagnosis and treatment.
If you or your loved one is experiencing the symptoms of sleep apnea mentioned above, then you should immediately consult a medical professional who can recommend appropriate testing and interventions. With the right treatment and lifestyle changes, individuals with sleep apnea can regain restful sleep and improve their quality of life.
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