Sleep Apnea or in much common terms lack of sleep or snoring that causes insufficient sleep, leading to many other issues such as obesity, blood pressure, hypertension, arrhythmia, stroke, and other issues.

Sleep Apnea

Do you feel drowsy during day time? Or feel like you did not have enough sleep which is affecting your daily routine and work?

You might have symptoms of Sleep Apnea!

Sleep Apnea or in much common terms lack of sleep or snoring that causes insufficient sleep, leading to many other issues such as obesity, blood pressure, hypertension, arrhythmia, stroke, and other issues.

It is found through research and scientific surveys, with a rise in obesity amongst the population and other lifestyle changes, Sleep Apnea is believed to be affecting many from as young as 25 years old to senior age groups. It is a serious condition that can’t be neglected. The major danger of sleep apnea is that you are waking up to breathe, which causes severe daytime impairment.

Types of Sleep Apnea.

1) Obstructive sleep apnea, the more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax.

2) Central sleep apnea, which occurs when your brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.

3) Complex sleep apnea syndrome, which occurs when someone has both obstructive sleep apnea and Central Sleep Apnea.

Snoring, Pauses in breathing during sleep, and moderate to severe daytime sleepiness can lead to a chronic sleep disorder known as Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The rates of this common disorder are about 5 % for men and 2 to 3 % for women.

For the past 10-12 years as lifestyle changes are rapidly picking pace along with obesity which is a significant risk factor for Obstructive Sleep Apnea this disease is increasing at a high rate. However, a man or woman with normal weight may also have sleep apnea due to a variety of reasons such as genetics, a narrow air passage, neck circumference, nasal congestion, family history, age, consumption of alcohol or sedatives, etc. Individuals with sleep apnea are at a higher risk for heart disease and stroke. The medical fraternity is now recognizing the serious health consequences of sleep apnea and is directing patients to a sleep center to get treated.

Sleep Apnea affects chores and daily work leading to safety and health issues such as patients with sleep apnea are much more likely to make mistakes or fall asleep while riding or driving, major danger of untreated sleep apnea is the increased rate of motor vehicle accidents due to sleepiness., and some are more likely to have cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and may face death at an early age.

The Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Common symptoms of Sleep Apnea include:

• Loud or frequent snoring
• Silent pauses in breathing
• Choking or gasping sounds
• Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
• Insomnia
• Morning headaches/heaviness
• Nocturia (waking during the night to go to the bathroom)
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory loss
• Decreased sexual desire
• Irritability

Treatment

Firstly one has to seek a doctor’s advice and the doctor likewise will run the patient through certain tests. Diagnosis of Sleep Apnea can be done through a formal sleep study known as polysomnography. Treatment often includes lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, and the use of a breathing assistance device at night, such as a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.