Don’t Ignore Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Silent Threat to Your Health
A doctor should be consulted as soon as possible if you have a restful night’s sleep that is abruptly interrupted by a feeling of being choked or out of breath, and if this occurs frequently. These are classic signs of a condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a sleep disorder. In this condition, during sleep, a person pauses breathing multiple times; the throat muscles relax too much, completely or partially obstructing the upper airways. Loud snoring is a common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, which is a significant illness because, according to experts, a person may have up to 100 bouts of breathing stopping and then starting every hour. This erratic breathing has a cyclical effect on the body, much of which is harmful.
The air that a person breaths while they are asleep should pass through their lips and nose without interruption and enter their lungs. However, the airways are closed when an OSA sufferer sleeps because their throat muscles relax and their tongue retracts. As a result, the lungs receive little or no air. Asthma Bhawan presents a thorough reference on Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) with the goal of increasing knowledge and encouraging early detection of this dangerous sleep ailment. The guide explains that OSA occurs when the airway repeatedly becomes blocked during sleep, reducing or completely stopping airflow. Asthma Bhawan emphasizes the benefits of timely screening, especially for individuals with hypertension, obesity, or a history of disturbed sleep.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
When you have obstructive sleep apnea, the muscles in your throat relax and block your airway as you sleep. This obstruction causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start throughout the night. The duration of each stop might range from a few seconds to a minute, and they may happen several times each hour, significantly impairing the quality of sleep.
Identifying Obstructive Sleep Apnea
The commonest signs of OSA are
- Daytime sleepiness
- Snoring
- Sweating at night
- Dry mouth
- Irritability or mood swings
- Sudden feeling of choking while sleeping
- Increased blood pressure levels
- Headaches in the morning
Snoring is not always a sign of sleep apnea and is frequently brought on by fatigue, the common cold, and occasional alcohol consumption. Therefore, even though not all snoring is regarded as dangerous, if someone snores frequently, they should see a doctor.
Complications with Untreated Obstruction Sleep Apnea
According to doctors, obstructive sleep apnea should not be ignored as there are various complications that could arise.
- A person’s performance throughout the day is impacted by the most frequent side effect, which is feeling sleepy and annoyed in the morning.
- It is well known that irregular sleep patterns and sporadic awakenings raise blood pressure levels. The risk of cardiovascular conditions like heart failure and heart attacks might be raised by high blood pressure.
- OSA-related disordered breathing has been connected to arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats, which can affect the body’s oxygen-rich blood flow to different organs.
- Snoring due to OSA can increase the risk of a stroke because the carotid arteries thicken due to the vibrations from the snoring. Thickness of the carotid arteries can affect or interfere with the normal flow of blood to the brain.
- When a person doesn’t get enough sleep, their body may handle glucose differently, making them more prone to Type 2 diabetes.
- Lack of sleep makes the immune system weak due to the decrease in the natural production of infection-fighting substances in the body.
Who is at Risk?
While obstructive sleep apnea can affect anyone, certain factors increase the risks:
- Obesity: Excess weight, especially around the neck, can obstruct the airway.
- Gender: Though postmenopausal women are likewise more vulnerable, men are more likely than women to have it.
- Age- Risk increases with age.
- Smoking & Alcohol: Both can increase muscle relaxation and airway inflammation.
- Family History: A genetic predisposition may exist.
Health Complications of Ignoring Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Untreated obstructive sleep apnea can lead to several health issues, including:
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Stroke
- Increased risk of accidents due to drowsiness
- Depression and anxiety
Effective Treatment Options
The severity of the ailment and any underlying medical issues determine the course of treatment. Common approaches include:
- Lifestyle Changes: Quitting smoking, weight loss, and avoiding alcohol.
- CPAP Therapy: While you sleep, continuous positive airway pressure devices maintain your airway open.
- Oral Appliances: Devices that are specially fitted and hold the jaw open to maintain an open throat.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgical intervention may be required to remove obstructions.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Many individuals think of OSA as a minor inconvenience or just “loud snoring”. However, sleep apnea can cause serious health issues that lower your quality of life and raise your risk of dying young if left untreated.
- Cardiovascular Problems: OSA is linked with irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure, and strokes. Your cardiovascular system is subjected to additional strain during apnea episodes due to the frequent reductions in oxygen levels.
- Type 2 Diabetes: You are more likely to acquire type 2 diabetes if you have sleep apnea because it raises insulin resistance. Poor sleep quality also interferes with glucose metabolism.
- Daytime Fatigue and Accidents: Sleep deprivation due to OSA results in excessive daytime sleepiness. This can make it harder to focus, raise your chance of getting into a car accident, and make you less productive at work.
- Depression and Mental Health Issues: Chronic sleep disruption affects mood and brain function, leading to depression, anxiety, and memory problems.
- Poor Quality of Life: Sleep Apnea affects your energy levels, relationships, and social life.
Diagnosis: Don’t Delay It
At Asthma Bhawan, we use advanced diagnostic tools like polysomnography to confirm OSA. Overnight, this test tracks heart rate, oxygen saturation, brain activity, and breathing patterns to identify breathing disruptions.
