Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts, causing loud snoring, gasping, and daytime fatigue due to disrupted, non-restorative sleep. The most common type, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), happens when throat muscles relax and block the airway, while Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) involves the brain failing to signal breathing muscles. It increases risks for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke, and is diagnosed via a sleep study (polysomnogram). Treatments include CPAP machines, oral appliances, lifestyle changes (like weight loss, avoiding alcohol), and sometimes surgery.
Types of Sleep Apnea
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The airway collapses or becomes partially blocked, most commonly due to relaxed throat muscles.
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): The brain doesn't send the correct signals to control breathing muscles.
- Complex Sleep Apnea: A mix of OSA and CSA.
Common Symptoms
- Loud snoring, gasping, or choking sounds during sleep.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue.
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat.
- Restless sleep or tossing and turning.
- Morning headaches.
Risk Factors
- Being overweight or obese.
- A large neck circumference or narrowed airway.
- Being male, older age, or having a family history.
- Alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizer use.
- Smoking, nasal congestion, or certain medical conditions (e.g., heart failure, diabetes).
Diagnosis & Treatment
- Diagnosis: A sleep study (polysomnogram) monitors breathing, heart rate, oxygen levels, and brain activity during sleep.
- Lifestyle: Losing weight, sleeping on your side, avoiding alcohol.
- CPAP: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure keeps airways open with pressurized air.
- Oral Appliances: Custom mouthpieces that reposition the jaw or tongue.
- Surgery: Options like tonsil removal or jaw realignment.
Tags :
Sleep Apnea,
snoring
