Sleep apnea is a common but serious sleep disorder that disrupts breathing during sleep and can significantly affect your overall health. There are two main types: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea.
By learning about the symptoms, causes, and treatments, you can better manage or even prevent this condition.
In this article, we will cover:
- What is sleep apnea?
- Causes of sleep apnea.
- Possible sleep apnea treatments.
- What to do if you think you have sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea Explained
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the most common form apnea. It occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax excessively during sleep. This relaxation narrows or closes your airway as you breathe in, which may lower the oxygen level in your blood. Your brain senses this inability to breathe and briefly rouses you from sleep so you can reopen your airway.
This awakening is usually so brief that you don’t remember it. You might snort, choke, or gasp as you try to breathe. This pattern can repeat itself five to 30 times or more each hour, all night, impairing your ability to reach the deep.
Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA):
- Loud and chronic snoring, often with episodes of silence followed by gasps.
- Frequent breaks in breathing, usually noticed by a bed partner.
- Gasping or choking during sleep.
- Restless sleep, tossing and turning during sleep.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness, feeling very drowsy during the day and falling asleep unintentionally.
- Morning headaches, due to low oxygen levels during the night.
- Difficulty concentrating, often feeling foggy or unfocused.
- Mood changes, such as irritability or depression.
- High blood pressure, especially that is difficult to control.
- Decreased libido, lack of interest in sexual activity.
What is Central Sleep Apnea?
Central Apnea is less common than OSA and involves the central nervous system, rather than an airway obstruction. It occurs when your brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. This means you make no effort to breathe for short periods.
Central sleep apnea can be associated with other medical conditions, such as heart disease and stroke. It can also occur in people who are at higher altitudes, which may affect oxygen levels and breathing patterns.
Symptoms of Central Sleep Apnea:
- Episodes of stopped breathing during sleep, typically without snoring, noticed by a bed partner.
- Abrupt awakenings accompanied by shortness of breath, which is more likely to be relieved by sitting up.
- Difficulty staying asleep, frequent awakenings during the night.
- Chronic fatigue and daytime sleepiness – feeling tired even after a full night’s sleep.
- Morning headaches – like OSA, due to disrupted sleep and possibly low oxygen levels.
- Difficulty concentrating, cognitive impairment during the day.
- Mood changes, including feelings of irritability or depression.
- Cheyne-Stokes breathing – a cyclic pattern of gradual breathing increase followed by a decrease and then a temporary stop in breathing.
While the causes are different the symptoms of sleep apnea are similar. Whether you have Obstructive or Central Sleep Apnea.
Causes of Sleep Apnea
Causes of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs primarily due to physical blockages in the upper airway. Usually this happens when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep. Some of the most common causes are:
- Excess Weight: Obesity significantly increases the risk of OSA, as fat deposits around the upper airway can obstruct breathing.
- Anatomical Differences: Certain physical traits such as a thick neck, narrow airway, or enlarged tonsils can contribute to the likelihood of OSA.
- Age: The risk of OSA increases with age, as the muscle tone in the throat decreases.
- Gender: Men are generally at higher risk for OSA. Though the risk for women increases and may become similar to men’s risk after menopause.
- Family History: Genetics can play a role in the structural development of the airway and the likelihood of developing OSA.
- Use of Alcohol and Sedatives: These substances relax the muscles in the throat, which can exacerbate the collapse of the airway during sleep.
- Smoking: Smoking can increase inflammation and fluid retention in the airway, worsening OSA.
Causes of Central Sleep Apnea
Central Sleep Apnea is less about physical obstructions and more about the failure of the brain to properly control breathing during sleep. Here’s what typically causes this type of sleep apnea:
- Heart Conditions: Central sleep apnea is often seen in individuals with congestive heart failure.
- Stroke or Brain Tumor: These conditions can impair the brain’s ability to manage breathing.
- High Altitude: Occasional central sleep apnea can occur when sleeping at a high altitude. This is due to the change in oxygen concentration.
- Medications: Certain medications, such as opioids can have an influence. They could alter the body’s sensitivity to carbon dioxide and the brain’s response to keep the airway open.
- Age: Unlike OSA, central sleep apnea is not strongly linked to age. Although it can be more prevalent in older adults due to other health complications.
Effective Solutions for Managing Sleep Apnea
Effectively managing it involves various methods depending on its severity and type. These treatments for sleep apnea can include lifestyle changes, using therapeutic devices, and sometimes surgery. Here’s a closer look at each strategy to help you understand the best ways to control this condition.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle modifications can benefit both obstructive and central sleep apnea, although they are more directly effective in managing symptoms of OSA:
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Reducing body weight can decrease the severity of OSA by alleviating pressure on the airway. It might also improve central sleep apnea by overall health enhancement.
- Sleep Position: Particularly effective for OSA, sleeping on your side can prevent the tongue and soft tissues in the throat from blocking the airway.
- Avoid Alcohol, Smoking, and Sedatives: These substances relax the throat muscles. This can exacerbate OSA and potentially worsen central sleep apnea by influencing breathing control.
Special Devices
These devices are generally used as a treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure): CPAP machines are the frontline treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. These devices work by delivering a steady stream of air through a CPAP mask that covers the nose and sometimes the mouth. The air pressure is adjusted to a level that is sufficient to keep your airway passages open while you sleep. Modern CPAP machines are user-friendly. They are featuring adjustable settings, quiet operation, and built-in humidifiers to enhance comfort.
- Oral Appliances: For individuals with mild to moderate OSA or those who consider CPAP devices inconvenient and want an alternative, oral appliances offer a viable alternative. These custom-fitted devices are like mouth guards used in sports. But they are designed specifically to advance the position of the jaw or tongue during sleep. This slight adjustment helps maintain an open airway, preventing the throat muscles from collapsing and obstructing breathing. Those CPAP alternative mouth guards must be custom fitted by dental professionals specializing in sleep disorders to ensure they are effective and comfortable.
Surgical Options
Mainly for OSA. Surgery is often considered when other treatments fail to relieve OSA symptoms. Or when anatomical issues significantly contribute to the airway obstruction:
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): This procedure removes soft tissue from the back of the throat and palate, which can increase the airway size and reduce OSA events.
- Maxillomandibular Advancement: By moving the jaw forward, this surgery increases the space behind the tongue and soft palate, reducing the likelihood of airway obstructions in OSA.
- Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy: Often effective in children and some adults. This surgery removes the tonsils and adenoids, which is beneficial if these tissues are large enough to block the airway in OSA cases.
Diagnosing Sleep Apnea: Steps to Take If You Suspect You Have It
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, it’s important to act quickly by consulting with a healthcare provider who can evaluate your symptoms and possibly refer you to a sleep specialist.
Diagnostic Process for Sleep Apnea
- Sleep History Assessment: Discuss your sleep habits and daytime symptoms with your doctor, who may also request observations from your sleep partner.
- Physical Examination: A check for physical factors in your throat, neck, and nasal passages that might contribute to sleep apnea.
- Sleep Study (Polysomnography): A comprehensive test, usually done overnight at a sleep center, measures vital functions during sleep to confirm diagnosis.
Promptly addressing sleep apnea can help improve your sleep quality and overall health, reducing the risk of serious complications.
Conclusion
Sleep apnea is not just a minor inconvenience, it’s a major health concern. Recognizing the signs and symptoms early, understanding the causes, and exploring effective treatments can lead to significant improvements in sleep quality. If you think you or someone you know might have sleep apnea, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment plan.
People with sleep apnea can make lifestyle changes, use devices as an CPAP or sleep apnea mouth guard to improve their sleep. This can lead to an improve in overall life quality and reduce health conditions.
