Sleep Apnea: Diagnosis, Symtomps, and Treatment
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Sleep apnea is a respiratory disturbance since the walls of the throat are relaxed and narrows when we were sleeping. During sleep, the throat muscles become relaxed and limp. Usually, relaxation of the throat muscles had no effect on most people, but for people with sleep apnea, the muscles become too weak to cause a narrowing or even closing the airway.
In addition to sleep apnea, there are other respiratory disorders, named hypopnea. Hypopnea is the condition when there is more than 50 percent barrier in the respiratory tract. Hypopnea and sleep apnea can occur about ten seconds or more.
Sleep apnea itself is divided into two types, sleep apnea obstruction arising out of throat muscles that are experiencing excessive relaxation and Central sleep apnea occurs because the brain does not send a signal to the muscle to regulate breathing.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
People who suffer from sleep apnea will not realize that he was misbehaving when sleeping or any symptoms that appear when she is awake. This condition is usually known if any couples, friends, and family are aware of it.
While experiencing sleep apnea, the brain that lack of oxygen can wake you up with the goal of reopening the respiratory tract, and you can breathe again. You will wake up a half are aware or fully aware.
Usually, you will not remember if you're experiencing sleep disorders. This interference will make the body feel tired during the day. The following are some of the symptoms that you may experience when you fall asleep:
- Snoring loudly.
- Often has stopped breathing and then gasping.
- Breathing heavy and noisy. Trouble sleeping at night or insomnia.
- Excessive sweating at night.
- Often woke up at night to urinate.
- Symptoms that may occur when you woke up are:
- Feel sleepy during the day.
- Woke up with dry mouth or throat pain.
- Don't feel refreshed when awakened.
- A headache, especially after the morning wake-up.
- Decreased concentration and memory.
- Depression.
- Decreased sexual desire or erectile dysfunction in men.
- Irritability or mood was changing.
If you are experiencing some of the symptoms above, especially if these symptoms are already disrupting the daily routine, then immediately find a doctor. It is to know with certainty what the cause, especially if you snore loudly because many people consider snoring is normal.
What Are The Causes Of Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is caused by a reaction of relaxation and constriction of overload on soft tissues and muscles of the throat that function help was speaking, swallowing, and breathing.
In most people, the relaxation of the soft tissues and muscles did not interfere with breathing. But for people with sleep apnea, the muscles and soft tissues of the throat airway narrowing excessively and eventually clogged. These conditions interfere with the supply of oxygen throughout the body and triggers the brain to wake you to realize and be back to normal breathing.
Some factors that may increase your risk of sleep apnea:
- Gender. Sleep apnea is more likely to occur in men.
- Have a big neck. The larger neck size of 43 cm more risky experience sleeps apnea.
- Excessive weight or obesity. The presence of excessive fat in the soft tissues of the neck and the stomach can disturb you in breathing.
- Taking medication with a calming effect. For example drugs and sleeping pills.
- Aged 40 years or more. Sleep apnea is more common in people in this age, though it can also happen at any age. Abnormalities in the structure of the neck. For example, large tonsils, respiratory tract, small lower jaw, and the adenoidal problems are great.
- Nasal congestion. People are experiencing clogging on the nose is more at risk of suffering from sleep apnea, for example, because of polyps and nasal bone structure abnormalities.
- A family history. If your family is experiencing sleep apnea, your risk of suffering from would also be increased.
- Smoking. Smoking can increase the risk of inflammation and the buildup of fluid in the upper respiratory tract.
- Consuming liquor. These habits if done before bed will worsen sleep apnea and snore.
Diagnosis Of Sleep Apnea
It is recommended before seeing a doctor, ask couples or families at home to observe whether you are suffering from sleep apnea. If you are experiencing interference can not breathe, maybe they can tell you.
When met with a doctor, you will be questioned about symptoms being experienced due to sleep apnea. In addition to physical examinations, blood tests may be performed to see if other conditions can lead to the symptoms being experienced.
If the cause of sleep apnea is still unclear, doctors can perform observations of Your night's sleep. In these views, breathing patterns, heart rate and oxygen levels in the body will monitor. One of the tests that can be done is known by the name polysomnograph. This procedure is done by observing some part of the body while you are asleep. Here're some other tests that accompany the polysomnography procedure:
- Electromyography (EMG) to check and record the activity of the muscle signal.
- Electroencephalography (EEG) to monitor brain waves.
- Electrocardiography (ECG) to observe the heart.
- Note movement in the chest and stomach.
- Note the flow of air through the mouth and nose.
- Sound recordings and videos.
Through observation, a doctor can know for sure if you are suffering from sleep apnea and the level of severity
Treatment of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a long-term illness that may require lifelong treatment. Changes in lifestyle and breathing apparatus when the beds are some treatment techniques that can be done. Here are some ways the treatment of sleep apnea, along with an explanation:
- Avoid tranquilizer and sedative drugs.
- Lose weight if you're experiencing excess body weight.
- Avoiding the supine position during sleep, try to sleep with the tilted position.
Quit smoking for those who have the habit of smoking. Limit the consumption of liquor, especially at a time before going to bed. CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) CPAP is a tool for positive pressure air blowing into his nose or into the nose and mouth. This positive pressure air will prevent the throat close up and relieve the symptoms that appear due to sleep apnea. Some side effects of this treatment technique include:
- Nasal congestion.
- A runny nose or irritations.
- Headache.
- Ear pain.
- Abdominal pain and flatulence.
If you feel uncomfortable or get side effects that interfere with treatment procedures are done, you should tell the doctor that handle so that it can be customized to your comfort level.
MAD (a Mandibular Advancement Device) this instrument is designed to hold the jaw and tongue to prevent constriction in the respiratory tract that causes someone snoring. This tool is used on top gear while you're sleeping.
Operating procedure step is only performed if there is no other way to overcome sleep apnea condition and suffered terribly. Here are some operating procedures conducted to treat sleep apnea:
- Bariatric Surgery. Diminution of gastric size operation is done to obese people.
- Tracheostomy. The procedure of inserting the pipe into the throat to help you breathe easier.
- Tonsillectomy. Surgical removal of the tonsils when tonsils are too big and obstruct the airway during sleep.
- Adenoidectomy. Surgical removal of adenoidal problems when it is too large and adenoidal problems blocking the breathing passages as you sleep.
Complications Due To Sleep Apnea
The following are some of the complications that may occur due to sleep apnea:
- Hypertension or high blood pressure. This condition does not cause any symptoms but increases the risk of You having a heart attack and stroke. Strive to live healthy life patterns with regular exercise and eating healthy foods.
- Accident. People with sleep apnea are at risk of experiencing severe enough accidents when activity in the afternoon because of drowsiness due to disruption of sleep time at night. This especially can occur in people who have to drive the vehicle and operate heavy equipment.
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