Sleep Apnea Symptoms and Treatment. Sleep, which constitutes an average of one-third of human life, is of great importance for a healthy life. Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder that begins with continuous respiratory arrest. If you snore loudly and even feel tired after a full night’s sleep, you may also have sleep apnea.
Although sleep apnea is as common as asthma and diabetes in the community, it remains hidden because it is not diagnosed. Doctors cannot direct their patients because they are inexperienced. Unfortunately, sleep apnea has not been known enough among doctors since it has been identified and developed in the last 20 years. In this article, we will explain sleep apnea symptoms and treatment.
Sleep Apnea
Most of the time snoring is not a complaint. It depends on our day-to-day fatigue, the intensity of our work, and we do not think of this as the reason for going to a doctor. If you snore regularly every night and feel sleepy and tired during the day, you may have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea syndrome is a disease caused by the inability to keep the airways open during sleep. In patients with sleep apnea syndrome, the relaxation of the respiratory muscles becomes more pronounced when sleeping, compared to healthy people. As a result; breathing becomes difficult. The oxygen level in the blood is reduced as a result of oxygen intake to the tissues is inadequate, oxygen deficiency causes the patient to wake up and this level turns into normal only after the patient wakes up. Fluctuations in blood oxygen levels are characteristic of the disease.
Sleep Apnea Risk Factors
Obesity is the most essential risk factor. Increased body mass index, neck circumference increases the risk of sleep apnea syndrome. Other risk factors include nasal and throat jaw disorders, some endocrine disorders (hypothyroidism, acromegaly, etc.) and genetic predisposition.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms
The most essential symptom of sleep apnea is the cessation of breathing for a few seconds during sleep. Other symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Restless Sleep
- Snore
- Frequent urination
- Sweating
- Dry mouth
- Reflux
- Respiratory arrest
Also:
- Headache,
- Forgetfulness,
- Depression,
- Lack of concentration,
- Fatigue,
- Having trouble waking up, and
- Excessive sleepiness are among the observable symptoms of sleep apnea during the day.
When to see a doctor
Consult a healthcare professional if you or your partner have the following symptoms.
- Snore so loudly as to disturb yourself or someone else
- Waking up suddenly with shortness of breath
- Excessive sleepiness that can cause you to fall asleep during the day, while you are working, watching TV, and even driving
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Sleep apnea is certainly treated very effectively. The most widely used sleep apnea treatment in the world is the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. During sleep, a small device, applying mild air pressure, is placed on the tip of the head through the nose. This positive airway pressure ensures that the airways and larynx remain asleep continuously as if an air cushion was deployed, eliminating apnea, and snoring. No medication is used in this treatment, and no surgical procedure is performed. The effects of recovery are seen immediately after treatment, the next day. Snores are stopped, sleepiness improves, you feel as vigorous and reborn.
Surgical treatment is recommended only in a small group of patients. Particular attention should be paid to patients with facial-jaw disorders and abnormal throat structure, because the disease may recur after a while. The disappearance of snoring after surgical interventions may not mean that the disease has passed.
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