Because of the hectic lifestyle and additional stress, more and more people complain of their inability to rest well at night. However, most individuals do not know that besides the mentioned causes, restless nights can also result from sleep problems. Sleep disorders have become very common and affect people of every age. Sleep apnea, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, and jet lag are a few common examples of sleep issues. In order to make people aware of these conditions, we will today discuss the causes, symptoms, risk factors, and diagnosis of sleep apnea. Here you go!

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea refers to a rest problem in which your breathing repeatedly starts and stops. It happens temporarily but repeatedly during sleep. After the patient starts breathing again, he may snort, gasp, take a deep breath, or awaken with a choking sensation. The condition is serious and must be treated asap as it may lead to complications like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high BP, and depression.

When it comes to types, sleep is basically of three kinds. The most common is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) which happens because your airway gets blocked. Another is central sleep apnea (CSA), which results from miscommunication between the brain and nervous system. Here, the brain fails to send the proper signal to the muscles that control your breathing. The third type is mixed sleep apnea which occurs when central apnea ends as obstructive sleep apnea.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Since sleep apnea is a rest disorder, patients fail to notice the signs themselves. However, anyone who is sharing a room with you can see the following sleep apnea signs:

• Pause and restart breathing
• Snore loudly while resting
• Gasp for air

Besides these, other signs that you may notice include:

• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Headache
• Irritability
• Heartburn
• Restless sleep
• Dry mouth
• Decreased libido
• Sore throat

Which causes are responsible for sleep apnea?

Many factors can contribute to the collapse of the airway. These include reasons like lax muscles in the mouth and throat, nasal congestion causing trouble in inhaling air, thickened tissues around the airway, and some underlying neurological problems. These problems might result from genetic factors, thyroid issues, obesity, heart or kidney failure, and swollen tonsils. So, if you snore loudly at night and have any of these conditions, you should get diagnosed for sleep apnea asap!

What are the risk factors for sleep apnea?

Although sleep apnea is an issue that can affect people of any age or gender, certain individuals are more exposed to the condition. These include old-age, obese, alcoholic, allergic, pregnant, or diabetic people. In addition, some individuals with issues like sinusitis, thyroid, large tonsils, down syndrome, family history of sleep apnea, and recessed chin or large overbite are also more vulnerable.

When should you see a doctor for sleep apnea?

If you are finding yourself unable to rest well at night and are waking up feeling tired every day, there is a chance that you may have sleep apnea. In this case, you should ask your partner if you snore loudly at night or pause breathing while sleeping. If you do, you should get an appointment with a sleep expert. Neglecting the issue is not recommended as it could be bad for your overall health. Untreated sleep problem can lead to problems like difficulty concentrating, heart attack, and stroke. Although the link between the conditions is unclear, you should still get yourself checked to identify if you have an underlying sleep problem.

How can sleep apnea be diagnosed?

Any individual experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea should consult a doctor without wasting much time. Upon meeting the sleep expert, you will be asked a bunch of questions like

• How long does it take you to fall asleep? 
• What type of sleep environment do you like? 
• If anyone in your family has a sleep disorder? 
• Do you wake up feeling panicked in the middle of the night? 
• Does your partner complain that you snore too loudly while resting?
• If you fall asleep while doing something, like watching a movie or reading?
• How do you feel upon waking up, tired or well-rested?
• What is your sleep schedule on weekdays and weekends?
• How much sleep do you catch upon every night?

After answering these queries, your sleep expert will decide the next step based on your replies. If he thinks you may have sleep disorder, he will recommend you undergo a sleep study. You will be asked to visit a sleep lab where you will be observed overnight. For this, you will be attached with special equipment that records brain waves, eye and leg movements, oxygen levels, heart rhythm, and airflow. Later, your reports will be sent to a sleep specialist who will interpret the results.

If you suspect you may have sleep problem but feel hesitant to visit the sleep lab, you can also opt for a home sleep test. Here, the device will be delivered to your doorstep. After conducting the test, you can send it back along with the result to the address it came from. Later on, you will be informed about the developments.

What are some methods of treating sleep apnea?

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, here are some treatment options that you must know about:

1. Lifestyle changes: 

In some cases, sleep apnea results from practicing poor sleep habits. Making some lifestyle changes can help normalise breathing. These include alterations like sleeping on your side, limiting alcohol consumption around bedtime, quitting smoking, consuming a healthy diet, managing your weight, following a heart-healthy diet, and cultivating good sleep habits. Following these positive habits can improve sleep apnea and help you get good quality sleep.

2. CPAP machine: 

One of the best treatment methods for sleep problem is the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. It aids in keeping the airway open by providing a constant stream of air to the respiratory system. This prevents your airway from collapsing and allows you to breathe without putting in any extra effort. However, here what needs to be note down is that using the CPAP device can be quite irritable at times. It can lead to problems like ulcers, aerophagia, dry mouth, discomfort. But, using the right mask and continuing the treatment can help you get used to it eventually.

3. Surgery: 

Surgical procedures can prove helpful for those looking for a permanent solution. Undergoing an operation can stiffen or shrink obstruction tissue. You can also choose to get rid of the excess tissue or enlarged tonsils to improve your condition. Depending upon the extent of surgery, the procedure can be performed either at the hospital or a clinic.

4. Mandibular Repositioning Device: 

People suffering from mild or moderate sleep apnea can rely on MADs to improve their condition. Mandibular repositioning devices are custom-made oral appliances that help bring your jaw in a forward position while sleeping to expand the space behind the tongue. Thus, it prevents apnea episodes and snoring by keeping the upper airway open.

5. Medication: 

Another reliable cure for sleep apnea is medication. However, before you opt for this treatment, you need to first consult with your doctor. Drugs like acetazolamide, zolpidem, and triazolam can help improve the condition but may also have severe side effects. For this reason, it is necessary to be careful.

Conclusion

Sleep apnea is a disorder that can prevent you from catching on a good night’s sleep. The condition is primarily of three types, OSA, CSA, and MSA and can result from genetic factors, obesity, or thyroid issues. For those suffering from this problem, making lifestyle changes, undergoing surgery, medication, MAD device, and using a CPAP machine are a few solutions.