30/06/2023
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts (brief repeated interruption of breathing).
The main types of sleep apnea are:
1. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): which is the more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax and block the flow of air into the lungs.
2. Central sleep apnea (CSA): which occurs when the brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
3. Treatment-emergent central sleep apnea: also known as complex sleep apnea, which happens when someone has OSA — diagnosed with a sleep study — that converts to CSA when receiving therapy for OSA
The symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas overlap, sometimes making it difficult to determine which type you have.
The most common symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas include:
* Loud snoring.
* Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep — which would be reported by another person.
* Gasping for air during sleep.
* Awakening with a dry mouth.
* Morning headache.
* Difficulty staying asleep, known as insomnia.
* Excessive daytime sleepiness, known as hypersomnia.
* Difficulty paying attention while awake.
* Irritability.
factors
Sleep apnea can affect anyone, even children. Factors that increase the risk of this form of sleep apnea include:
a. Excess weight. Obesity greatly increases the risk of OSA. Fat deposits around your upper airway can obstruct your breathing.
b. Neck circumference. People with thicker necks might have narrower airways.
c. A narrowed airway. You might have inherited a narrow throat. Tonsils or adenoids also can enlarge and block the airway, particularly in children.
d. Being male. Men are 2 to 3 times more likely to have sleep apnea than are women. However, women increase their risk if they're overweight or if they've gone through menopause.
e. Being older. Sleep apnea occurs significantly more often in older adults.
f. Family history. Having family members with sleep apnea might increase your risk.
g. Use of alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers. These substances relax the muscles in your throat, which can worsen obstructive sleep apnea.
h. Smoking. Smokers are three times more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea than are people who've never smoked. Smoking can increase the amount of inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway.
i. Nasal congestion. If you have trouble breathing through your nose — whether from an anatomical problem or allergies — you're more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea.
j. Medical conditions. Congestive heart failure, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes are some of the conditions that may increase the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. Polycystic o***y syndrome, hormonal disorders, prior stroke and chronic lung diseases such as asthma also can increase risk.
Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition. Complications of OSA can include:
1. Daytime fatigue.
2. Trouble concentrating and find yourself falling asleep at work, while watching TV or even when driving.
3. Feel quick-tempered, moody or depressed. Children and adolescents with sleep apnea might perform poorly in school or have behavior problems.
4. High blood pressure or heart problems. Sudden drops in blood oxygen levels that occur during OSA increase blood pressure and strain the cardiovascular system. OSA might also increase your risk of recurrent heart attack, stroke and irregular heartbeats, such as atrial fibrillation.
5. Type 2 diabetes.
6. Metabolic syndrome. This disorder, which includes high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, high blood sugar and an increased waist circumference, is linked to a higher risk of heart disease.
7. Complications with medicines and surgery.
8. Liver problems. People with sleep apnea are more likely to have irregular results on liver function tests, and their livers are more likely to show signs of scarring, known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
9. Sleep-deprived partners. Loud snoring can keep anyone who sleeps nearby from getting good rest.
:
1. Lifestyle changes - weight reduction, quitting smoking, changes in position during sleep, treatment of nasal allergy.
2. CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)
3. BPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure)
4. Adaptive servo ventilation (ASV)
4. Surgery - Tissue removal, Tissues shrinkage, Jaw repositioning, Implants, Hypoglossal nerve stimulation, tracheotomy (life threatening sleep apnea.
