Sleep Apnea – Types, Symptoms, Risk Factors

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The main types of sleep apnea are:

• • Obstructive sleep apnea

 

• • Central sleep apnea

 

• Complex sleep apnea syndrome

WHAT IS OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

Obstructive sleep apnea is more common of the two. It occurs as repetitive episodes of complete or partial upper airway blockage during sleep.

Breathing usually resumes with a loud gasp or body jerk. These episodes can interfere with sound sleep, reduce the flow of oxygen to vital organs and cause heart rhythm irregularities.

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SYMPTOMS OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

The most common signs and symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea include:

• Snoring
• Daytime sleepiness or fatigue.
• Restlessness during sleep.
• Choking sensation.
• Dry mouth or sore throat upon awakening.
• Sudden awakenings with a sensation of gasping or choking.
• Cognitive impairment, such as trouble concentrating, forgetfulness or irritability.

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SOME UNCOMMON SYMPTOMS OBSERVED IN SLEEP APNEA ARE :

• Mood disturbances, headache, depression, irritability or anxiety
• Night sweats
• Frequent night time urination.
• Sexual dysfunction.

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COMMON RISK FACTORS OF SLEEP APNEA :

• Excess weight. Obesity greatly increases the risk of sleep apnea.
• Neck circumference. Fat deposition around the neck increases sleeps disturbances.
• More common in older people and in males.
• Family history.
• Use of alcohol, smoking, sedatives or tranquilizers.

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ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS WHICH MAKE PEOPLE MORE PRONE TO SLEEP APNEA :

Tonsils / adenoids, which are commonly seen in kids.

Other medical conditions which can cause sleep apnea are blood pressure, diabetes, COPD, Bronchial asthma, Parkinson disease, PCOS and Congestive Cardiac Failure like conditions.

If not treated and diagnosed on time, sleep apnea could lead to several complications, like

Complications can include:

 

• Daytime fatigue leads to poor concentration in work and increases the risk while driving.
• Oxygen level drops during night hours affecting the normal functioning of brain and heart increasing the chances of hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, liver diseases.
• People suffering from sleep apnea have increased risk of getting heart attack, paralysis attack.
• Sleep-deprived partners.

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HOW TO DIAGNOSE SLEEP APNEA

The doctor may start the treatment based on signs and symptoms of sleep disturbances that are provided from the close relative. He may suggest sleep studies to be done to monitor breathing and other body functions during sleep.

Types of sleep studies are :

 

Home sleep tests-

Home sleep tests use sensors which include a small probe, and mask which help in measuring heart rate, blood oxygen level, airflow and breathing patterns.

 

Nocturnal polysomnography-

In this test, the patient is hooked up to the equipment that monitors heart, lung and brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels during sleep time.

TREATMENT OF SLEEP APNEA :

In milder cases of sleep apnea, doctor may recommend only lifestyle changes, such as,

1 Losing or maintaining weight

2. Quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol consumption

3. To sleep in a lateral position.

If any patient has nasal allergies, doctor will recommend treatment for allergies.

In case of moderate to severe cases, patients are asked to use Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.

This machine delivers air pressure through a mask. The air pressure is greater than that of the surrounding air and is enough to keep the upper airway passages open, preventing apnea and snoring.

CPAP is the most common and reliable method of treating sleep apnea, some people find it uncomfortable, but with practice, most of them learn to adjust the tension of the straps on the mask and become comfortable with the passage of days.

With continuous practice and usage of CPAP machine patients have found significant improvement in the quality of sleep.

Patients having anatomical abnormalities or patients having obstructive air passage or those who do not respond, surgical option is considered. Such patients are offered UVULOPALATAL PHARYNGOPLASTY wherein along with tonsils and adenoids, additional surrounding tissue is removed to clear off the obstruction and open up the passage to breathe comfortably.

Self-care is the best way to deal with obstructive sleep apnea.

Losing excessive weight, doing exercise, avoiding alcohol and certain medications such as tranquilizers and sleeping pills will definitely help in reducing sleep apnea and avoiding any complications.

Having untreated sleep apnea is medically equivalent to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day in terms of what it does to your health.

– JEROME SIEGEL

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Factors That Increase The Risk Of This Form Of Sleep Apnea Include:

• Excess weight. Obesity greatly increases the risk of sleep apnea.
• Neck circumference. People with thicker necks might have narrower airways.
• A narrowed airway.
• Being male.
• Being older.
• Family history.
• Use of alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers.
• Smoking.