A condition that causes you to stop breathing during sleep because of a blockage in the windpipe is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It also causes frequent wake-ups during nighttime, which leads to daytime exhaustion and other frustrating symptoms. People who leave this disorder untreated may experience some serious and even life-threatening complications. In most cases, obstructive sleep apnea is treated with lifestyle changes and a CPAP machine.
In other words, this condition causes pauses in breathing while you are sleeping due to narrowed or blocked airways. Therefore, it leads to reduced oxygen in the blood, which may trigger a survival reflex in the brain that wakes you up. While this reflex keeps you breathing, it may cause sleep disturbances (insomnia).
In general, this is a very common condition, and it affects about 1 billion people between the ages of 30 and 69 worldwide.
Symptoms
Usually, people with obstructive sleep apnea experience the following symptoms. Check below some examples:
- Frequent wakeups during the night
- Pauses in breathing
- Waking up out of breath
- Snoring
- Night sweats
- Feeling restless
However, you may also experience some symptoms during the day because of sleeping problems. For example:
- Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- Sleepiness
- Exhaustion
- Difficult remembering or concentrating
- Mood swings
- Mental health problems (such as anxiety or depression)
- Headaches
- Sexual dysfunction
Immediately contact your healthcare professional if you or a loved one notices any of the previous symptoms. Early detection may help reduce the risk of serious complications.
What Does OSA Sound Like?
Usually, people can notice the following characteristics in a sleeping partner. For example:
- Snoring stops suddenly
- A gasp or snort for breath before snoring again
- Loud snoring that often begins soon after falling asleep
Causes and Risk Factors
The primary cause of obstructive sleep apnea is narrowed or blocked airways. During sleep, the muscles relax that allow air to flow into the lungs. When there should be enough room for air to get into the body. In people with obstructive sleep apnea, these muscles block the airways, which prevents air flow. As a result, the affected person stops breathing. However, physicians have identified some factors that could elevate your risk of developing OSA. Check below some examples:
- Obesity (excessive body weight)
- Structural abnormalities (such as a small lower jaw, large tongue, small tonsils, large adenoids, or large neck size)
- Genetic disorders – There are some genetic disorders that can increase your risk of OSA. The following conditions negatively affect how your head and neck develop. For example, Down syndrome or Prader-Willi syndrome.
- Age – While this condition can occur at any age, it mostly affects children.
What Are The Possible Complications of Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
People who develop this condition may also experience some complications, especially if they ignore the symptoms and do not get treatment. Examples include:
- Daytime sleepiness (this is a dangerous complication, especially if you are driving or doing something that needs your full attention)
- Heart damage (that may lead to heart failure)
- Chronic health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), and others
- Arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm)
- Stroke
- Sudden cardiac death
- Metabolic syndrome
- Impaired memory
- Lung infections
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
- Increased risk of glaucomahttps://brandrx.to/glaucoma/
This article does not contain a complete list of OSA complications. However, you can talk with your doctor about ways to reduce the risk of the previous complications.
How to Prevent Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Unfortunately, OSA is not always preventable, but physicians may recommend some tips to reduce the risk. These include:
- Try to get and maintain a healthy weight
- Eat more nutritious foods
- Regularly perform physical exercise
- Good sleep hygiene (for example, set a bedtime routine and turn off electronic devices before bed)
- Get treatment for chronic health conditions (including type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, and others)
- Stop smoking – If you have problems with smoking cessation, you can discuss it with your physician.
- Limit or avoid alcoholic drinks
- Regularly see your doctor for checkups
Diagnosis
Physicians usually begin the diagnosis of OSA with a physical examination to check for abnormalities linked to the disease. They may also ask some questions about the symptoms and medical history. However, to confirm or rule out this condition, doctors often perform the following tests. For example:
- Polysomnogram (overnight sleep study) – This test involves sleeping in a medical facility while doctors monitor you.
- Home sleep apnea testing – This test is very similar to a polysomnogram, but it does not involve brain wave monitoring and other sensors.
It is very important to see a doctor for a diagnosis if you or a loved one experiences OSA symptoms.
Treatment
Usually, the treatment for people with this condition is different because it depends on several factors. These include the severity of the condition, overall health, and age. Check below some options often recommended by doctors:
- Lifestyle changes, including sleeping position adjustment (avoid sleeping on the back), maintaining a healthy weight, and others
- A CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine
- Wearing oral appliances (mouthpieces)
Surgery
The following procedures are usually recommended by doctors when previous options do not work. Check below some common surgeries used to open the airway:
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) – During this procedure, surgeons will remove some tissue from the back of the throat.
- Tacheostomy – This surgery is used to open the windpipe to bypass a blockage.
- Tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy – In such cases, surgeons will remove the tonsils and adenoids.
- Nerve stimulation – In this treatment, surgeons will implant a specific device that stimulates the airway muscles during sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the life expectancy of a person with obstructive sleep apnea?
While you can live a normal life with treatment, if you leave OSA untreated, it significantly reduces your lifespan. It occurs because of some life-threatening complications that may occur in people with this disorder. These include heart failure, stroke, hypertension, and others. If you suspect you have OSA, immediately contact your doctor.
What are the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea?
Usually, people with OSA experience the following symptoms. These include:
- Loud snoring
- Morning headaches
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Excessive daytime drowsiness (such as hypersomnia)
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Frequent stops of breathing during sleep
If you or a loved one experiences any of the previous symptoms, visit a doctor right away.
Can sleep apnea go away?
Typically, this condition does not disappear on its own, especially if you develop a moderate or severe form. In most cases, OSA requires management, including lifestyle changes, weight loss, avoiding alcoholic drinks, and other options. If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.
