Sleep Apnea: Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment
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What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing ceases during sleep and may actually be obstructive. This is caused by efforts to breathe against blocked upper airways. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common and needs treatment to restore breathing to normal. Sleep apnoea is defined by more than 5 episodes of apnea per hour of sleep, associated with significant day sleepiness. Snoring is a symptom, but is not always present. If the condition is allowed to continue it will lead to significant medical complications. If the condition manifests in children it is usually caused by enlarged tonsils or adenoids.
Causes of Sleep Apnea
The main cause is being overweight and staying overweight for a long time. Too much alcohol, consumed at night, can contribute to this.
Some people suffer from poor sleep for years and because it happens gradually they don’t always notice. Your partner will notice the snoring and it may even be waking you. Other people decide to have throat surgery to tighten the flesh at the back of the throat, done by an ENT surgeon, this will help, but unless you lose weight it is not enough. Because these people are tired during the day, some of them drive in a very dangerous manner and should not be behind the wheel.
Natural Cure for Sleep Apnea
Sometimes natural health therapies can be tried, and because you are oxygen deprived during sleep practising breathing exercises may help. What this does is strengthen and tighten the muscles in the area and many people say it works. You can sit in front of the television and complete your exercise program as it will take less than 10 minutes a day. The important thing is that the program is worked out specifically for you and will tighten and strengthen the muscles involved in breathing at night. Exercises are prescribed by a specialist practitioner.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Sleep Apnea
If you find yourself suffering from any of the above symptoms or your partner is complaining about snoring you need to see your Doctor.
The first thing that the Doctor will do is to weigh you and if you are overweight he will ask you to lose a few kg which should help.
He will then ask about smoking and drinking alcohol, you will be told to give up smoking and restrict alcohol intake all this will help. If the problem continues you will be sent to have an overnight sleep study.
Epworth Sleepiness Scale
While you are working on your weight at home, download the Epworth Sleepiness Scale on your computer, answer the questions and score it. You can take this test result back to your Doctor on your next visit as supporting evidence. If you are within normal limits your condition may be improving with the weight loss. Increase your exercise levels to an hour a day, even if it is only walking.
Sleep Clinics and Treatment Centres
There are sleep clinics in all the major teaching hospitals and there are also some private clinics as well. Sleep Clinic Singapore is one of the leading sleep centres in Singapore that conduct sleep studies, as well as diagnose and treat sleep disorders. In the sleep clinic, your respiratory function will be measured, in order to reach a diagnosis and decide on a treatment. While you are asleep they record brain waves, oxygen levels in your blood, heart rate and breathing. Some people say that they would never be able to go to sleep in such conditions, but the room is darkened, and you wear your own pyjamas so even if you only sleep for 1 hour it will be enough. Later the data from the study is evaluated by an ENT doctor.
PAP Therapy and Sleep Apnea
If you have had the Sleep Study and are diagnosed with Sleep Apnea don’t worry as at least 10% of the population has sleep apnea and you can be helped. If it is not treated it can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack, stroke and type 2 diabetes. You will be asked to try some PAP therapy which is noninvasive, and gently blows air into your nose or mouth to prevent your airways from collapsing while you sleep.
PAP and CPAP Device and mask to prevent Sleep Apnea
You will be prescribed the correct mask for you, it may cover your mouth and nose or just cover your nose, and the therapy machine/device will be explained to you and there are a couple of different ones to choose from. These days they are quite small and are easily managed on a bedside table.
The controls and the interface are simple and you will not find it hard to know what to do and how to work it.
You will be most likely offered a mobile app to monitor your progress on the iPad.
How long do I stay on a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Machine?
Many people stay on a CPAP machine for about 5 years, and during that time tubing and masks need replacing. Once you are on the machine, the snoring should have stopped, and you will need to keep up your exercise program and keep the weight down. You will feel less tired during the day and more alert which is great as most people do not have time to lie down during the day.
People who do not address their sleep apnea will almost certainly have an early death as it can lead to so many other problems.
Conclusion
It may be worth googling ‘Stop Snoring and Sleep Apnea Program’ to try and help yourself. Because Sleep Apnea is a serious health problem it is important to consult an ENT specialist to get the associated health problems under control. Once you have your night sleep under control you will feel so much better during the day and will be far more productive in day to day life.
If your child is snoring get a referral to the ENT surgeon as the problem is almost certainly enlarged tonsils or adenoids which may need removing, it is not normal for a child to snore. When you read about the side effects of Sleep Apnea and the medical implications involved it definitely motivates you to do something about it as it is an extremely serious health problem and we all want to live long enough to enjoy old age.