Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night's sleep, you might have sleep apnea.
There are two main types:
1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The most common form. Throat muscles relax and block the airway.
2. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): The brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Symptoms
Symptoms overlap between the two types, making diagnosis tricky without a test. Common signs include:
- Loud Snoring: Usually more prominent in obstructive sleep apnea.
- Breathing Pauses: Episodes where breathing stops during sleep (often witnessed by a partner).
- Gasping/Choking: Abrupt awakenings accompanied by shortness of breath.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness (Hypersomnia).
- Morning headache and dry mouth.
- Difficulty concentrating or irritability.
See a doctor if your snoring is loud enough to disturb others, or if you wake up gasping for air. Chronic fatigue is a major red flag.
Causes
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
This occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much. As you breathe in, the airway narrows or closes. Your brain senses the lack of oxygen and briefly wakes you up to reopen the airway. This pattern can repeat 5 to 30 times an hour.
Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
This is less common and relates to the brain's communication network. It is often caused by heart failure or stroke.
Risk Factors
- Excess Weight: Fat deposits around the upper airway can obstruct breathing.
- Neck Circumference: People with thicker necks often have narrower airways.
- Narrowed Airway: You might have naturally large tonsils or adenoids (common in children).
- Sex & Age: Men are twice as likely to have sleep apnea. The risk increases with age.
- Family History: Genetics play a role.
- Alcohol & Sedatives: These relax throat muscles, worsening the obstruction.
- Smoking: Increases inflammation and fluid retention in the airway.
Complications
Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition. Complications include:
- Heart Problems: Sudden drops in blood oxygen strain the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.
- Type 2 Diabetes: Sleep apnea increases the risk of developing insulin resistance.
- Daytime Fatigue: Increases the risk of workplace or driving accidents.
- Liver Problems: Associated with abnormal liver function tests.
Diagnosis
Doctors often use a Polysomnography (Sleep Study). This monitors your heart, lung and brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels while you sleep.
Home Sleep Tests are also available for uncomplicated cases.
Treatment
For mild cases, lifestyle changes (weight loss, quitting smoking) may be enough. For moderate to severe apnea, treatments include:
1. CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)
The most common and reliable treatment. A machine delivers air pressure through a mask to keep your upper airway passages open during sleep.
2. Oral Appliances
Dental devices designed to keep your throat open by bringing your jaw forward. These are easier to use than CPAP but generally less effective for severe cases.
3. Surgery
Surgery is usually an option only after other treatments have failed. Procedures aim to enlarge the airway:
- Tissue Removal (UPPP): Removing tissue from the rear of the mouth and top of the throat.
- Jaw Repositioning: Moving the jaw forward to enlarge the space behind the tongue.
- Implants: Plastic rods implanted into the soft palate to stiffen it.
4. Lifestyle Changes
- Side Sleeping: Sleeping on your back can cause your tongue to block your throat.
- Avoid Alcohol: Do not drink close to bedtime.
- Nasal Sprays: Keep nasal passages open if you have congestion.
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