Sleep apnea (pronounced "AP-knee-uh") literally means "without breath" and is a common problem that appears as pauses in breathing or excessively shallow breathing during sleep. These pauses in breathing can last from a few seconds to a few minutes at a time, and can occur anywhere from 5 to 30 or more times in a single hour. Often, these episodes are followed by a loud snort or choking sound, after which normal breathing resumes. This condition can be associated with significant sleep disturbance, and can cause daytime sleepiness and fatigue. Some signs and symptoms are: morning headaches, irritability, mood swings, depression, sexual dysfunction, and learning or memory difficulties.
What Are The Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
Unfortunately, most people with sleep apnea go undiagnosed until a family member or sleep partner notices the condition. There is no physical examination or blood test that a doctor can perform to routinely screen for this condition, although testing in a sleep clinic will reveal any problems. Most sufferers do not have any obvious symptoms, and are not aware of having difficulty breathing, even upon waking. If you are concerned about having sleep apnea and do not have a sleep partner who can monitor you or a sleep centre nearby, you can use a device to record your breathing patterns during sleep and play it back to hear if you have long pauses in your breathing or snoring. Should you hear a problem, following up with your healthcare provider is important.
Types of Sleep Apnea
There are two main types of sleep apnea, each of which has different symptoms and health ramifications.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type and occurs most frequently in overweight individuals. People with this sype of apnea often snore loudly. Partially blocked airways create snoring as air moves through narrowed passages. Complete airway blockages cause apnea episodes. During these episodes, the chest continues moving as the body tries to breathe.
Central Sleep Apnea
This type of sleep apnea is less common than obstructive sleep apnea, although they may both occur together. Central sleep-disordered breathing is a condition, also called Cheyne-Stokes respiration, and is caused by the brain failing to properly gauge blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. Because of delayed response, the brain does not send the correct signals to the muscles that control breathing when oxygen levels drop, and carbon dioxide levels rise in the blood. During pauses in breathing, there is no effort to breathe, no chest movements and no struggling. This type of apnea is not associated with snoring, but may be associated with certain medications such as muscle relaxants and sleeping pills.
What Are The Health Risks of Sleep Apnea?
When not treated properly can result in an increased risk of a number of different health concerns. Because the body is not taking in enough air during pauses in breathing, the blood oxygen levels drop, which begins to starve the body's tissues. Some conditions that have higher rates of occurrence in sleep-disordered breathing sufferers are:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Stroke
- Heart attack in men
- High blood pressure
- Heart arrhythmias
- Diabetes
- Car accidents
- Female dementia
- Mental function decline
How Can I Prevent & Treat Sleep Apnea?
Beneficial Lifestyle Changes
Risk for this issue increases with smoking, drinking alcohol, being overweight, and medications that relax muscles such as ibuprofen and sleeping pills. Some people with this condition can reduce their symptoms by avoiding alcohol and muscle relaxants. Losing weight and quitting smoking /articles/health-concerns/smoking-cessation/ can also significantly reduce or eliminate sleep-disordered breathing. Changing the body position during sleep can also help to open the airway. For example, elevating the upper body by 30 degrees or side-sleeping can help move any soft tissue and prevent it from obstructing the airway during sleep. These simple interventions have been found to significantly improve both obstructive and central sleep apnea. There are also machines that fit over the nose and mouth that provide continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to prevent soft tissues from collapsing into the airway.
Strengthening the Muscles of the Upper Airway
Learning instruments like the didgeridoo may help reduce snoring and sleep apnea symptoms. These exercises may also improve daytime sleepiness. These exercises may also improve daytime sleepiness. Daily tongue and throat exercises reduced apnea severity by about 39% after three months.
Airway Surgery
Doctors may recommend surgery for excess soft tissue that blocks the airway during sleep. Surgical outcomes vary depending on the procedure and patient factors. Discuss surgical options with your doctor if this approach interests you.
