What is Sleep Apnea? What are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

You may have heard that frequent snoring is a sign of sleep apnea. It is true that snoring is one of the most common symptoms. However, not everyone with sleep apnea snores. At the same time, of course, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes breathing disorders while sleeping. Your breathing may stop or become very shallow at times. You may not even know you’re doing this until your spouse or roommate tells you. For many people, the only obvious symptom of sleep apnea is fatigue or drowsiness during the day.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that causes frequent pauses in breathing during sleep. Many people experience symptoms such as loud snoring and feeling sleepy during the day. Keep in mind that if left untreated, it can cause loud snoring and daytime fatigue, as well as more serious problems such as heart disease or high blood pressure. This sleep disorder is different from normal or primary snoring. Primary snoring can be caused by nose or throat conditions, your sleeping style (especially sleeping on your back), excess weight, or age. Although both types of snoring occur when the tissues at the back of your throat vibrate, people with sleep apnea tend to:

• They snore much louder than regular snorers
• Pause for more than 10 seconds while breathing
• Take shallow breaths, gasp or suffocate
• Being restless during sleep

Sleep apnea in itself is not considered fatal. But studies have found that people with the condition are twice as likely as people without the condition to die suddenly within a given time period, especially if left untreated. This is due to their links to serious conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

It occurs when your airways become too narrow while you sleep. This prevents you from breathing properly. However causes of sleep apnea It is often associated with:

• obesity
• Thick neck structure
• Aging (may also occur in children and young adults)
• Having other family members with sleep apnea
• Having large tonsils or adenoids
• sleeping on back
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

In addition, the cause is also related to the type of sleep disorder.

What are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

When you stop breathing for short periods of time due to sleep apnea, the oxygen levels in your blood drop. This triggers a brain reflex that wakes you up long enough to start breathing again. These repeated awakenings prevent you from spending enough time in the deep sleep stages. The more serious your condition is, the more often your sleep will be disrupted.

Being sleep deprived makes you feel tired during the day. You may be less productive at work or school and feel irritable, moody, or sad. You may be forgetful or have difficulty concentrating. You’re more likely to have an accident at work or while driving. The most important symptom of this sleep disorder is feeling tired and sleepy during the day. Other sleep apnea symptoms can be listed as follows:

• Loud snoring is one of the most important symptoms. While it can come and go throughout the night, it can be loud enough to wake up those near you.
• Waking up with a dry and sore throat is also common. This is because apnea often causes you to breathe with your mouth open.
• Dry mouth is also caused by mouth breathing.
• Sometimes waking up feeling suffocated or out of breath can also be an indication that you are experiencing a sleep disorder.
• Those who suffer from sleep apnea may experience restless sleep. May experience repeated awakenings during the cycle.
• Even after a full night’s sleep, drowsiness or lack of energy may occur during the day. You may not realize it, but your breathing problems may wake you up several times throughout the night.
• Drowsiness may be felt while driving.
• Morning headaches may occur. Scientists aren’t sure why people with sleep apnea experience these pains. This may be due to lack of oxygen caused by poor sleep or breathing problems.
• Lack of sleep; It can cause symptoms such as forgetfulness and mood swings.
• You may feel dizzy when you wake up due to low oxygen levels.
• Some studies have found links between apnea and bad dreams. However, studies on this subject are still insufficient.

Who Gets Sleep Apnea?

The main risk factors of obstructive sleep apnea are related to age, gender, body weight and some anatomical features of the head and neck region. The risk of sleep disorders may increase with age until you reach your 60s and 70s. However, men are generally more likely to have sleep apnea, especially in the early stages of adulthood. Additionally, obstructive sleep apnea, a type of this sleep disorder, is more common in people with certain anatomical features, such as a larger tongue and shorter lower jaw.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

Sudden drops in blood oxygen levels experienced during sleep apnea strain the cardiovascular system as it increases blood pressure. The risk of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, may be increased. You may also be at greater risk of heart attack, stroke, and irregular heartbeats such as atrial fibrillation. In addition, having sleep apnea may increase your risk of developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. This condition, which includes symptoms such as high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, high blood sugar and increased waist circumference, is linked to an increased risk of heart disease.

What are the Types of Sleep Apnea?

The two main types of sleep apnea are obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA). In OSA, narrowing of the airway during sleep leads to breathing interruptions. In CSA, breathing interruptions are caused by a lack of communication between the brain and the muscles involved in breathing. These breathing interruptions reduce sleep quality. Besides, sleep apnea treatment It is a disease that can potentially cause serious health problems if not implemented. If you think you may be at risk for sleep apnea, it is critical that you see a doctor so you can receive the necessary tests and treatment. Types of sleep apnea can be listed in detail as follows:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS): This is the more common form. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in your head and neck relax while you sleep, causing surrounding tissues to put pressure on your windpipe. This inhibits the ability of air to pass through it.
• Central sleep apnea (CSA): This type of sleep apnea is caused by a problem in your brain. Under normal circumstances, your brain always manages your breathing, even while you sleep. Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain doesn’t send signals to keep breathing-related muscles working.

How to Diagnose Sleep Apnea?

If your doctor thinks you may have sleep apnea, he or she may refer you to a sleep laboratory for tests. Your breathing and heartbeat will be checked while you sleep with devices in the laboratory.

How to Treat Sleep Apnea?

There is no definitive treatment for the disease. But there are many ways to reduce or eliminate your symptoms. Your doctor will recommend a treatment depending on how serious your condition is. In mild cases, just changes in your lifestyle may be enough. Your doctor may recommend losing weight or treating conditions such as allergic rhinitis if you have them. If these don’t relieve your symptoms or you have moderate to severe sleep apnea, your doctor will recommend other treatments, such as sleep apnea machines (CPAP).