Imagine this: you’re fast asleep, but your body wakes you up repeatedly, gasping for air. This is the reality for millions of people suffering from sleep apnea—a sleep disorder caused by interruptions in breathing during sleep. These interruptions can stem from a blocked airway or miscommunication between the brain and the muscles responsible for breathing. Left untreated, sleep apnea not only disrupts your sleep cycle but also leads to daytime fatigue and other health complications. In this blog, we will define sleep apnea, look at what might cause it, and learn about how it can be treated for a better night’s sleep and a better life.
What is Sleep Apnea Meaning and its Types?
Due to lack of sleep, other health issues arise, like blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. The severity of sleep apnea depends on its type. Obstructive sleep apnea causes blockage in the airway of the throat. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain is unable to send messages related to sleep to the organs. When both obstructive and central sleep apnea occur together, it is known as complex sleep apnea. Physical exercises, therapies, and surgeries help in healing from this condition.
What are the Factors Responsible for Sleep Apnea Causes?
Sleep apnea causes are multiple based on different factors. Some lifestyle changes are required to prevent obstruction of the airway channel during sleep, which helps reduce the risk of the disease. The most common causes of the disease that result in issues with having proper sleep are:
- Nasal allergy and sinus are the common causes of this condition.
- This disease is normally caused by muscles in the throat following advancement in age.
- Genetics play a significant role in affecting throat structure and obesity.
- Tonsils, narrow airways, and shorter jaws cause unease in breathing.
- Men have a higher risk of sleep apnea than women due to hormonal changes.
- Excessive consumption of alcohol and other sedatives increases the risk of the disease.
- Obesity around the throat can block airway passage, causing the risk of sleep apnea.
- Smoking causes inflammation and the passage of air also increases and results in OSA.
- The sleeping position is highly responsible for this condition due to the blockage in the airway.
What are the Best Choices for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
Multiple therapies and lifestyle modifications are necessary to recover from sleep apnea. The treatment selection is based on the type of the disease and its severity. These therapies even have disadvantages besides delivering effective results. Sleep apnea treatment is difficult for people with medical conditions like diabetes, PCOS, and heart disorders who have a high risk of getting infected by this condition. Some of the common sleep apnea treatment remedies are:
CPAP Therapy
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy provides proper air while sleeping through a mask. It improves sleep and lowers the severity of the disease. However, patients find it difficult to sleep with a mask.
Lifestyle Modifications
People suffering from obesity should lose weight to reduce pressure on the air passage. Alcohol and other sedatives should be avoided to relax the throat. Further, a proper sleeping position should be maintained to keep the air passage open while sleeping. Unlike other therapies, behavioural therapy includes physical exercises, reducing coffee consumption, and maintaining a proper sleep schedule. This helps reduce the risk of sleep apnea and improves sleep quality in moderate cases.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Dental devices are fitted in the jaw or tongue to clear the air passage, especially for OSA patients. Initially, it can cause discomfort to the patients. However, it is easier to carry and manage than any other therapy for Sleep Apnea.
Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation
An apparatus is placed within the nerve for the muscles to remain open during sleep through an operation. There is no need for a mask or any other external aid is necessary, and the person can even breathe without any problem.
ASV Therapy
It is an advanced therapy for complex sleep apnea. This therapy can be personalised for patients depending on their condition. However, this therapy is a bit expensive and not recommended for heart patients.
Conclusion
Sleep apnea is a prevalent condition that can be a part of heart and diabetes patients’ life. This can cause the feeling of fatigue and restlessness. If a person doesn’t sleep, they cannot concentrate on whatever they are supposed to do the following day. Consequently, sleep apnea treatment should be properly commenced based on its type, as soon as possible. This chronic condition is treated with appliances and surgeries that help give better quality sleep. To manage this condition, make sure to take a proper consultation with your doctor to know the exact reason behind your problem and best treatment that will help you sleep better and with no trouble.
