Ever wondered why sleep apnoea is the silent threat? This is because untreated sleep apnoea is a risk to you and others around you.
Sleep apnoea is a common yet often overlooked sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. When you have sleep apnoea, your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This can disrupt sleep, leaving you tired and unrested during the risky day. In this blog post, we will explore what sleep apnoea is, its symptoms, causes, risk factors, dangers of not treating the silent threat, and available treatments.
What is Sleep Apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is a disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. These interruptions are known as apneic episodes and can last a few seconds to a few minutes. These interruptions cause a decrease in oxygen levels and disrupt the quality of sleep. Sleep apnoea can happen to anyone, from children to older adults.
What are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnoea?
Many people with sleep apnoea are often unaware of their condition, as the symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for other ailments. Some common signs and symptoms include:
- Loud snoring is a key indicator of sleep apnoea, especially if it is loud and is accompanied by pauses and gasps for breath. Although you can have sleep apnoea without snoring.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness If you have sleep apnoea, you are always tired during the day, regardless of the amount of sleep you had the previous night.
- Dry mouth or sore throat Breathing through your mouth during sleep can cause a dry mouth or sore throat upon waking up.
- Morning headaches are a result of oxygen deprivation during sleep due to sleep apnoea.
- Irritability and mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sexual dysfunction or decreased libido
- waking up with shortness of breath or choking feelings.
- Insomnia
- Frequent need to pee at night
What is Sleep Apnoea Caused by?
There are 3 main types of sleep apnoea:
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is the most common type of sleep apnoea. It happens when your throat muscles relax and block your airway when sleeping.
Central Sleep Apnoea This type of sleep apnoea occurs when you have a problem with your brain and it does not transmit the proper signals to the muscles controlling breathing.
Complex Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (CSAS), also called treatment-emergent central sleep apnoea by doctors, happens when you have both obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and central sleep apnoea.
Risk Factors of Sleep Apnoea the Silent Threat
Risk factors for sleep apnoea include:
- Family history of sleep apnoea
- Obesity or overweight
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Nasal congestion
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Old age
- Menopause
- Large tonsil and thick neck
- Thyroid and hormonal imbalance
- Sleeping on your back
- chronic lung diseases like asthma
How is Sleep Apnoea Diagnosed?
To diagnose sleep apnoea, your doctor will begin by asking you questions about your symptoms and medical history. They may ask you about your snoring habits, daytime sleepiness, and any other symptoms you may be experiencing. If your doctor suspects that you have sleep apnoea, they may recommend that you undergo a sleep study. A sleep study is a test that measures your breathing, heart rate, and oxygen levels while you sleep. It can help confirm a diagnosis of sleep apnoea and determine the severity of your condition.
How is Sleep Apnoea Treated?
The treatment for sleep apnoea depends on the severity and the specific type of sleep apnoea. Some common treatment options include:
Healthy Lifestyle Changes
Modifying your lifestyle habits can be effective in treating sleep apnoea, and this includes losing weight, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, having a healthy sleep habit, and reducing caffeine intake. Your healthcare provider may also recommend you sleep on your side and not your back to help keep your airway open.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy
If you have sleep apnoea, you may need to use a device called a CPAP machine. CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. These devices work by delivering a continuous stream of air through a mask that fits over your nose or mouth while you sleep.
The air pressure helps to keep your airway open, preventing you from choking or gasping for air during the night. There are many different types of CPAP machines, and your doctor will help you choose the one that is right for you. Some people find that using a CPAP machine is uncomfortable at first, but most people get used to it and find that it helps them sleep better. If you have any questions or concerns about using a CPAP machine, talk to your doctor. You can also check out our article on which CPAP unit is best for me [link]
Oral Appliances
These devices help to reposition the jaw and tongue to prevent the airway from collapsing during sleep.
Surgery
In severe cases, surgery may be recommended to remove excess tissue or reposition the jaw to widen the airway
You should work with your healthcare provider to choose the appropriate treatment option for your specific sleep apnoea disorder.
What Happens If You Don't Treat Sleep Apnoea?
If sleep apnoea is left untreated, you are at risk of having
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Heart disease
- You have a higher chance of having a stroke
- Depression and mood change
- High blood pressure
- Tiredness increases the likelihood of a serious mishap, such as a car accident.
How to Prevent Sleep Apnoea
- Lose weight if you're overweight
- Regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight as well as improve your symptoms.
- Maintain proper sleep habits, such as keeping your bedroom dark and quiet, going to bed, and waking up at the same time every day.
- Sleep lying on your side. Try taping a tennis ball to the back of your sleepwear, or buy a special pillow or bed wedge to help you stay on your side.
- Avoid smoking.
- Do not drink too much alcohol, especially just before going to bed.
- Do not take sleeping pills unless recommended by a doctor, as they can make sleep apnoea worse.
Conclusion
Taking decisive action against the silent threat.
Sleep apnoea is a silent threat that can have serious health consequences if left untreated. Recognizing the symptoms and seeking medical advice is crucial for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. By managing sleep apnoea, we can improve our sleep quality, enhance our overall health, and reduce the risk of associated complications.