Sleep apnea – A cunning companion
Although the name of the disease sounds very serious, the symptoms are often ignored and associated with completely different problems. Sleep apnea is a mixture of symptoms that occur during the day and night, such as constant feelings of exhaustion, morning headaches, memory gaps, confusion, and snoring. Current studies have shown that untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious health and life consequences. What are the causes of breathing problems during sleep? How do you deal with it to avoid health damage?
Deadly obesity
The sleep apnea syndrome or SAS is defined as repeated episodes of blockage of the upper airway during sleep, leading to apnea and shallow breathing. Its occurrence increases with further steady obesity problems in the population, which is one of the main risk factors for this disease. About 80 percent of obese people suffer from SAS at the same time; 70 percent of them have a more acute form of the disease. No wonder that disabling sleep apnea affects up to 18 million adult Americans, among whom obesity is a common problem. The accumulation of excessive body fat around the neck particularly affects the development of the disease. This is no coincidence. Muscles that control the upper airways relax during sleep. The reduction of muscle activity causes a soft palate and the sinking of the tongue, which in turn leads to a narrowing of the airways. Some people begin to snore at this point. Breathing problems occur with excessive narrowing of the airways, whose complete blockage leads to a short breathing pause called sleep apnea syndrome. In practice, a feeling of suffocation arises, followed by awakening and recovery of breathing actions. People suffering from this disease usually do not remember the phases of apnea. Such breathing interruptions last a few seconds and can occur several hundred times during a night. It is obvious that such situations have catastrophic consequences for the brain and the entire body.
Diagnosis and treatment
The most common symptom reported by patients with nocturnal respiratory diseases is increased daytime sleepiness. In its mild form, SAS manifests in everyday activities, such as watching TV or reading. In extreme cases, patients with a severe form of the disease fall asleep while eating, talking, working, or even driving. There are also reports on the relationship between nocturnal respiratory diseases and frequent depression and reduced libido. Fortunately, there are a variety of strategies to treat sleep apnea syndrome, especially in non-critical cases, as well as to implement preventive measures. Reducing body weight and maintaining a healthy BMI are among the usual recommendations. Patients with SAS should also observe proper sleep hygiene. Due to the effect of gravity, it is recommended to sleep on the side, as apnea occurs significantly more often in the supine position. To achieve proper sleep comfort, it is worth using sensory blankets. Thanks to the heavier filling (no feathers), they have a calming effect and anti-stress effects. They can also improve the functions of the respiratory systems. Alcohol before going to sleep is not recommended, as it reduces the activity of the hypoglossal nerve and increases the occurrence and duration of apneas. Preventive measures also include quitting smoking. Typical sleep apnea therapy involves producing a constant positive pressure in the airways using a special device (CPAP).