What is sleep apnea and why is it dangerous?
What is sleep apnea and how dangerous is it? Apnea is a medical term for respiratory arrest derived from the ancient Greek word ἄπνοια, windlessness. There are several types of apnea, and the cause can be an obstructive component (eg, obstructive apnea, airway closure) or a central nervous system disorder. Separately, conscious apnea and breath-holding are recognized as part of exercise, yoga, or athletic activities such as freediving. Sleep apnea is almost always accompanied by snoring, and the mild to mid-stage of nocturnal apnea most people tend to ignore other than having a brief pause in their breathing is a problem. And that's a totally wrong point of view!
Sleep apnea not only affects health and mood, but can lead to serious complications, including death. Although the syndrome is common, many people are unaware of its treatment and possible consequences. And they can be quite significant: from depression and impotence to heart attack and stroke.
In this article we will examine apnea in detail: the causes of its occurrence, risk groups, methods of diagnosis and correction (by the way, some people help playing on the tune of the Aboriginal people of Australia, tennis balls and a visit to an orthodontist).
We will tell you what apnea is, what kinds of night apnea exist, what are the causes and symptoms of this condition in adults and children, and what modern methods of treatment are offered by medicine.
What is sleep apnea?
Apnea is a breathing disorder that affects about one in six people, regardless of age. Diagnosis is made if the breathing pause lasts more than 10 seconds. During apnea, the breathing movements may be completely absent or incomplete, and air may not move into the airways because of the collapse of the laryngeal walls.
The most well-known type of apnea is obstructive apnea, but there are other types of this respiratory disorder. They may be caused by a variety of factors and disorders, and treatment is tailored to the specific cause.
Apnea can be divided into three main types: obstructive, central, and mixed. Obstructive apnea is the most common, and mixed sleep apnea most often results from the obstructive type.
Apnea-snoring relationship
Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious disorder that develops in three stages. The first stage is characterized by the appearance of night snoring, which at first glance may seem harmless. However, snoring is an early sign of apnea and may indicate a development of more serious problems.
Apnea is a condition in which breathing stops for a short period during sleep. Most patients with apnea have a history of prolonged snoring. This is because narrowing of the airways in the larynx causes accelerated airflow, resulting in wall vibration and snoring.
Snoring itself may be the only symptom of apnea, and it is often the partner of the snorer who notices it. However, it is important to understand that snoring may be a signal of more serious breathing problems during sleep.
If the narrowing is significant, it results in increased airway resistance. It causes partial obstruction preceding hypopnea. There is no significant decrease in airflow or a marked decrease in oxygen levels. However, the brain structures are already beginning to activate. This means that the snorer partially awakens for 3 to 15 seconds due to the increased respiratory movements. These movements occur because they resist the flow of air, which stimulates the brain to stop sleeping. This fragmentation of sleep is visible from the outside: the sound of snoring increases, peaks, then microwakes, after which the volume of the sound decreases and the cycle repeats.
The clinical picture of airway resistance syndrome (EDS) is characterized by snoring and daytime sleepiness due to frequent sleep disturbances. It often has high blood pressure. However, current medicine does not yet provide definitive diagnostic criteria for this syndrome, although it is the predictor of obstructive apnea and frequently evolves into obstructive sleep apnea when the rate of VAP narrowing increases.
What are the risks of night apnea? Obstructive sleep apnea: How does the condition affect the body? Naturally, with decreased breathing and frequent respiratory arrest, tissues and organs receive less oxygen. This leads to hypoxia, oxygen starvation. If breathing stops for 15 to 45 seconds after expiration, hypoxia, hypercapnia, and metabolic acidosis occur because each such episode is transient asphyxia. To inhale at the end of an attack, it is necessary to awaken the person. A rapid drop in oxygen levels resulting from airway obstruction causes inspiring muscle tone to increase and induce arousal to prevent asphyxiation of death. Typically, people wake up only partially without regaining full consciousness, and these episodes usually remain unremembered. This is another problem related to the problem of breathing.
During these unconscious awakenings, to be inhaled during an attack, the brain must come out of sleep, activate the laryngeal muscles to increase tone, and restimulate respiratory activity. Although this occurs without conscious control, full rest is not carried out, disrupting the natural sleep cycle. This leads to malfunction of various systems and organs, causing dysfunction of the central nervous system. Feeling is getting worse and quality of life is getting worse. During the day, distractions, irritability, fatigue, and sleepiness occur, including sudden sleep attacks.
Considerations for Sleep Apnea
Informing loved ones:
It is important to notify family members of the presence of sleep apnea.
Loved ones should know which specialists to contact in emergency situations and what information they need to pass on.
Using a CPAP device:
If therapy uses a CiPAP machine, it should be available for long trips and for overnight stays outside the home.
In case of inability to take the device with you, it is better to refrain from travel.
Surgical procedures:
In preparation for surgery, clinicians should be notified of the presence of sleep apnea, its stage, therapy, and possible complications.
This information is also important for other health care practitioners because apnea can affect drug choices.
Alcohol and smoking:
Avoid drinking alcohol three hours before bedtime and limit the amount.
Smoking increases the risk of sleep apnea, so cessation is recommended.
Mountain areas:
In mountainous areas with thin air, apnea may occur more often, and it is better to avoid it.
Daytime sleepiness:
If apnea leads to daytime sleepiness, do not drive or avoid activities that require high concentrations.
Regular check-ups with a doctor:
Be sure to visit a general practitioner at least once a year to monitor blood pressure and check for diabetes, as these disorders often accompany apnea.
Conclusions
Conclusions
With a large increase in the number of people and with growing excess weight and a variety of medical conditions. Sleep apnea and sleep-related disorders are expected to increase in stages.
It is important to seek medical attention in a timely manner and to monitor your health and weight carefully to prevent severe effects of apnea, including death during sleep.
