Sleep apnea, characterized by patterns of disrupted breathing during sleep, is a medical condition that is more common than you may think. It’s high time we unmasked sleep apnea, a silent threat that often goes undiagnosed, thereby increasing the risk of serious health complications.
Understanding Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea refers to a sleep disorder where the victim’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts throughout the night. This condition often results in compromised sleep quality, leading to an array of health concerns.
Types of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea presents itself in three specific forms:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea: This occurs when the throat muscles relax excessively.
- Central Sleep Apnea: This happens when your brain doesn’t transmit proper signals to the muscles that control your breathing.
- Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome: Also called treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, this syndrome occurs when someone exhibits both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.
Among these types, obstructive sleep apnea is the most commonly witnessed form.
Unmasking Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Across the types of sleep apnea, the symptoms often overlap, making it a challenging task to identify the specific type of condition a patient is experiencing. Here are some alarming signs:
- Loud or disruptive snoring.
- Gasping or choking for air during sleep.
- Insomnia or difficulty falling asleep.
- Headaches upon waking.
- Excessive drowsiness during the daytime.
- Distracted attention or irritability.
Demystifying the Causes of Sleep Apnea
As sleep apnea comes in various types, the causes differ too.
Causes of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is primarily due to muscle relaxation in the throat and mouth:
- As you drift into the realm of sleep, the muscles at the rear of your throat can relax excessively.
- The muscle relaxation can cause your airway to shrink or close as you inhale.
- You are robbed of the required oxygen level as this pattern persists, triggering your brain to prompt you to wake up and reopen the airway.
- This interruption is so brief and mild that you may not even remember it in the morning.
Health Risks Associated with Sleep Apnea
If sleep apnea remains untreated, it can trigger serious health problems, including:
- High Blood Pressure: Sleep apnea may worsen existing blood pressure conditions. Also, due to the inadequate oxygen supply, the brain triggers stress hormones, leading to a blood pressure hike. Nighttime blood pressure may also rise.
- Heart-Related Problems: The stress and lowered oxygen levels can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and arrhythmias.
- Type 2 Diabetes: Sleep apnea increases the risk of developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
- Liver Issues: Sleep apnea patients often portray signs of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Approaching Sleep Apnea Treatment at Bend Headache Center
At Bend Headache Center, we provide non-surgical and drug-free solutions to address your sleep apnea condition. The Center offers an effective alternative to the traditional CPAP machine used for treating obstructive sleep apnea.
