Do you find yourself feeling drained or experiencing headaches as soon as you wake up in the morning? There might be an issue occurring during your sleep that you are not aware of: obstructive sleep apnea (pronounced app-nee-uh).
What is obstructive sleep apnea?
The Greek word “apnea” means “without breath.” An apnea is characterized as a pause in breathing for at least 10 seconds. Obstructive sleep apnea, also known as OSA, causes you to stop breathing during your sleep for several seconds up to multiple times an hour. Individuals diagnosed with OSA experience at least five breathing pauses per hour and can have many more throughout the night.
During these periods of non-breathing, your brain, heart, kidneys, and other vital organs do not receive adequate oxygen supply. This lack of oxygen is a cause for concern as it increases the risk of various health issues. If left untreated, sleep apnea could lead to cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure or even stroke.
What are the causes?
The most common reason behind obstructive sleep apnea is an anatomical abnormality that blocks your airway while you’re asleep. This blockage can be caused by a number of factors, including excess tissue in the throat (such as enlarged tonsils or adenoids), obesity, and certain medical conditions like allergies or nasal congestion.
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptom of sleep apnea is snoring followed by pauses where no breathing occurs. These can cause frequent nighttime awakenings which leave you feeling tired throughout the day. Other symptoms may include choking or gasping for air, restless sleeping patterns, and waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat.
How do doctors diagnose OSA?
Your doctor will usually suspect sleep apnea based on your medical history, physical examination, and observed behaviors such as snoring. However, definitive diagnosis often requires an overnight sleep study in which various sensors measure your brain activity, heart rate, eye movements, body position changes during sleep along with respiratory effort.
How is it treated?
Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea varies depending on the severity of the condition and underlying causes. Options may include lifestyle modifications (like losing weight or avoiding alcohol), CPAP machines that provide continuous positive airway pressure, oral appliances to keep your throat open during sleep, surgery if other treatments don’t work.
It’s important for those experiencing symptoms related to obstructive sleep apnea to seek medical attention right away as early treatment can improve their quality of life and reduce the risk of developing serious health problems.
