A Closer Look at Sleep Apnea Disorder
Blockage in your airway may result in obstructive sleep apnea, and failure in signaling to your brain can cause central sleep apnea. Sleep apnea disorder leads to shortness of breath involuntarily. The condition may lead to sleep deprivation, leading to awakening in a gasp for breath. Untreated sleep apnea can result in various health complications, including depression and heart disease, and it’s vital to visit the sleep center near you for medical attention.
What’s Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea refers to a potentially severe disorder where your breath repeatedly halts during sleep. The air passage stops due to narrowed resulting in shortness of breath. Sleep apnea in two stages, namely:
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Central sleep apnea
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Different types of sleep apnea disorder dissipate different symptoms. It’s hard to determine the type of your disorder without a diagnosis. The common symptoms of both central and obstructive sleep apnea include:
- Insomnia
- Daytime sleepiness
- Loud snoring
- Irritability
- Morning headaches
- Awakening with a dry mouth
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Inability to remain attentive while awake.
- Episodes where your breath halts while you sleep
Causes of Sleep Apnea Disorder
Various factors lead to collapsing or blockage of your airways, and some include:
- Nasal congestion
- Underlying neurological issues
- Thickened tissues and fat deposits around your airway
- Lax muscles and other throat or mouth tissues
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs once back muscles on your throat relax, narrowing your airway as you inhale. The air supply becomes minimal, and the oxygen level in your blood lowers. Your brain senses your difficulty in breathing and rouses you from sleep to ensure you reopen your airway. You are likely to gasp for breath or choke, impairing your ability to have enough sleep. However, central sleep apnea occurs when your brain fails to send signals to your breathing muscles, which arouse you with shortness of breath or difficulty in getting sleep.
When You Need to See Your Doctor
Sleep apnea disorder is linked with various health issues, and it’s crucial to undergo diagnosis and treatment early to determine the underlying health conditions. Some of the health complications linked with sleep apnea includes stroke and heart failure. The risk factors associated with sleep apnea disorder may include:
- Obesity
- Allergies
- Sinusitis
- Heavy smoking
- Thyroid and hormonal problems
- Alcohol consumption
- Nasal congestion
- Diabetes
Loud snoring during sleep is an indication of a potentially severe health condition. It’s vital to consult your doctor if you have signs of sleep apnea disorder for treatment. If you feel irritable and tired after sleep, there’s a need to seek medical attention at the sleep center near you before the condition becomes severe.
Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
The sleep apnea treatment near you aims at normalizing breathing during sleep and managing your underlying health issues. There are various options used in your treatment based on the severity of your symptoms. Home-based lifestyle changes can help address your disorder, and some of the recommended lifestyle aspects include:
- Limited alcohol consumption
- Following heart-healthy dietary tips
- Managing your weight
- Quitting smoking
- Embracing healthy sleeping habits
Extensive Treatment Options
Other approaches are used to manage your disorder by use of appliances, medications, and surgical procedures. Below are other vital procedures used in sleep apnea therapy.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy
The approach involves keeping your airway open to allow constant air passage through a mask. The equipment is comfortable, and adjustments are made with time. Your specialist can add moisture to the air you inhale through the mask to relieve nasal symptoms.
Surgical Procedure
Surgery can be performed to widen your airway by removal of excess or obstructing tissue. With enlarged tonsils, the air is likely to flow continuously, and the process curbs difficulty in breathing.
A repositioning device is applicable to address a mild to moderate OSA. The oral appliance expands the space behind your tongue and prevents snoring. However, the positioning device may lead to TMJ disease or jaw pain. Particular medication can be prescribed for your condition to lessen the effects of sleep apnea, and your medical practitioner will determine the ideal treatment option for you.
Sleep apnea disorder is a severe condition to manage, and its severity depends on the extent to which your throat collapses. If you showcase sleep apnea signs, it’s crucial to undergo diagnosis and sleep apnea treatment near you. Please make an appointment with our medical practitioner at Taylor Made Sleep, and undergo diagnosis at treatment for sleep apnea today!