Blogs

ABSTRACT –

Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing starts and stops repeatedly which leads to loud snoring during the sleep. Person may feel daytime dizziness and tiredness even after full night’s sleep.

Types –

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Occurs due to blocked airways or relaxed throat muscles.
2. Central Sleep Apnea: In this, brain doesn’t send proper signal to muscles which regulates breathing.
3. Complex Syndrome: It’s a combination of both the above mentioned types

CAUSES –

• Relaxation of airway muscles
• Thickened tissue or excess fat around the airway path
• Improper brain functioning

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS –

• Loud snoring
• Restless sleep
• Daytime sleepiness
• In and out of breath during sleep
• Difficulty in concentration
• Headache after sleep

COMPLICATIONS –

• Daytime fatigue
• High BP, heart or liver problems
• Cognitive difficulties
• Metabolic syndrome
• Mood swings

DIAGNOSIS –

• Medical history
• Overnight evaluation at a sleep center
• Nocturnal Polysomnography
• Home Sleep Apnea Test

TREATMENT –

• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) used as air pressure ventilator
• Bilevel positive airway pressure device
• Oral appliances
• Surgery/li>

RISK FACTORS –

• Obesity
• Supine (flat on back) sleeping
• Chronic sinusitis
• Narrowed airways or nasal congestion
• Smoking
• Menopause
• Down syndrome
• Family history

EPIDEMIOLOGY –

• Around 936 million people suffers from this condition worldwide annually.