Millions of people around the world suffer from the sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. It is characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, which can last from few seconds to several minutes. These pauses can occur many times per hour, and they can have significant impact on the quality of sleep and overall health. The person is called to have ‘severe’ sleep apnea if the pauses are more than 30 per hour. The two primary kinds of sleep apnea areobstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA). OSA is the more common of the two and occurs when the airway is blocked partially or completely during sleep, often due to the relaxation of the muscles in the throat. This can cause the person to stop breathing for a brief period, leading to repeated pauses in breathing throughout the night.
CSA, on the other hand, occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles responsible for breathing. This can result in periods of shallow breathing or pauses in breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea is a serious disorder that, if ignored, can result in a number of health issues. People with sleep apnea are at increased risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems. They may also experience symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness, headache, memory and concentration problems, and depression.
There are several steps that people can take to manage sleep apnea and improve their sleep quality. These steps include:
In conclusion, there are many ways to manage sleep apnea and improve sleep quality, including maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding alcohol and sleeping on your side, using a humidifier, practicing good sleep hygiene, avoiding napping during the day, making changes to your sleep environment, using CPAP therapy, practicing relaxation techniques, avoiding drugs and medications that worsen sleep apnea, and seeking professional help. By making these changes, you can reduce symptoms of sleep apnea and improve your overall quality of life.
