Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea affects the way you breathe when you’re sleeping. In untreated sleep apnea, breathing is briefly interrupted or becomes very shallow during sleep. These breathing pauses typically last between 10 to 20 seconds and can occur up to hundreds of times a night,
jolting you out of your natural sleep rhythm. As a consequence, you spend more time in light sleep and less time in the deep, restorative sleep you need to be energetic, mentally sharp, and productive the next day. This chronic sleep deprivation results in daytime sleepiness, slow reflexes, poor concentration, and an increased risk of accidents. Sleep apnea can also lead to serious health problems over time, including
diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and weight gain. But with treatment you can control the symptoms, get your sleep back on track, and start enjoy being refreshed and alert every day.

Types of Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea

It is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when the soft tissue in the back of your throat relaxes during sleep and blocks
the airway, often causing you to snore loudly.

Central sleep apnea

It is a much less common type of sleep apnea that involves the central nervous system, occurring when the brain fails to signal the muscles that control breathing. People with central sleep apnea seldom snore.

Complex sleep apnea

It is a combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

1. Morning headaches

2. Memory or learning problems and not being able to concentrate

3. Feeling irritable, depressed, or having mood swings or personality changes

4. Waking up frequently to urinate

5. Dry mouth or sore throat when you wake up

Sleep Apnea - Treatment

Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea may include:

Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight.

Continuous positive airway pressure ( CPAP) or a similar machine that uses positive airway pressure to help you breathe.

Oral breathing devices or other devices (such as nasal dilators) that you wear at night.

Medicine to help you stay awake during the day.

Surgery.

Your doctor will probably have you try lifestyle changes
and CPAP first. Surgery might be a first choice only if the
sleep apnea is caused by a blockage that is easily fixed.