Outline::
Definition
Causes
Common symptoms
Risks of sleep apnea
Definition:Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts.
स्लीप एपनिया का हिंदी में अर्थ है नींद में सांस रुकना या नींद में सांस लेने में रुकावट। यह एक ऐसी स्थिति है जिसमें नींद के दौरान सांस लेने में बार-बार रुकावट होती है । यह एक गंभीर विकार है. ।
Risk factors include age and obesity. It's more common in men.
•The main causes of sleep apnea:
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition characterized by breathing pauses during sleep, becomes more prevalent with age, and untreated OSA can accelerate biological aging and increase the risk of various health problems.
We found a significant association between older age and more severe positional obstructive sleep apnea. Addition of positional therapy in older adults can be an effective way of treating OSA and potentially improving cognitive outcomes.
Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by conditions that block airflow through your upper airway during sleep. For example, your tongue may fall backward and block your airway.
Central sleep apnea is caused by problems with the way your brain controls your breathing while you sleep
Central sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Central sleep apnea occurs because the brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
The causes of obstructive sleep apnea are often complex. This condition results from a combination of genetic, health, and lifestyle factors, many of which have not been identified. Studies suggest that variations in multiple genes, each with a small effect, combine to increase the risk of developing the condition
Age and gender:
Anyone at any age can have obstructive sleep apnea. But it's most common in middle-aged and older adults. Only about 1 in 50 children have obstructive sleep apnea. It's also more common in men than in women.
• Common symptoms of sleep apnea;
The most common symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas include
Symptoms include snoring loudly and feeling tired even after a full night's sleep.
Symptoms that Suggest Sleep Apnea are as follows
Loud snoring.
Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep — which would be reported by another person.
Breathing pauses during sleep: (reported by a bed partner)
Gasping or choking during sleep:
Waking up with a dry mouth or headache:
Excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue:
Difficulty concentrating or paying attention:
Irritability:
:Gasping for air during sleep.
Awakening with a dry mouth.
Morning headache
Difficulty staying asleep, known as insomni
•Risks of sleep apnea:
Sleep apnea may cause brain damage:These breathing pauses can prevent your body from supplying enough oxygen to the brain. In severe cases this lack of oxygen can lead to brain damage. Signs of this damage include memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and moodiness. The new study involved men with severe, untreated sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea in children is associated with pro- found deficits in IQ, verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, and working memory, according to preliminary results of a case- control study at the Pediatric Sleep Disorders Center of Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore..
The major risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea are obesity, a family history of snoring or apnea, and being male. Being overweight puts you at serious risk for having apnea. Adult obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition .it is leading to cardiovascular problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and even sudden cardiac death, as well as increasing the risk of diabetes and mental health issues.
Having sleep apnea increases your risk of developing insulin resistance and Type II diabetes. Metabolice 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.Obstructive sleep apnea also increases the risk of heart rhythm problems known as arrhythmias
Sleep apnea can contribute to weight gain, though obesity is also a major risk factor for sleep apnea, creating a potential cycle. Sleep apnea can disrupt hormones that regulate appetite and metabolism, leading to increased food intake and reduced physical activity.
Information compiled by Dr.
Bhairavsinh Raol
