Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterised by pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep. These breathing interruptions can occur multiple times throughout the night, leading to disrupted sleep and potential health complications. There are three main types of sleep apnea:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): This is the most common type and occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open. It can be caused by factors such as excess weight, obesity, narrowed airway, or enlarged tonsils.
Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): This type is less common and happens when the brain fails to transmit proper signals to the muscles responsible for breathing. It is often associated with underlying medical conditions like heart failure, stroke, or neurological disorders.
Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome (CSAS): Also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, this condition is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea.
Common symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, sudden awakenings accompanied by choking or gasping for breath, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. If left untreated, sleep apnea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other health issues.
Treatment options for sleep apnea depend on the severity and type of the condition. They may include:
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): The most common and effective treatment for sleep apnea, CPAP involves wearing a mask over the nose or mouth while sleeping. The mask is connected to a machine that delivers a constant flow of air pressure to keep the airway open.
Oral Appliances: These are custom-made devices, similar to mouthguards, that help keep the airway open by repositioning the jaw or tongue.
Lifestyle Changes: Losing weight, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, sleeping on your side instead of your back, and practicing good sleep hygiene can sometimes alleviate mild cases of sleep apnea.
Surgery: In some cases, surgical procedures may be recommended to remove excess tissue, reposition the jaw, or correct structural abnormalities in the airway.