Sleep apnea or sleeping disorder Why, symptoms and treatment
Many people suffer from shortness of breath or shortness of breath during sleep. In medical parlance this problem is called sleep apnea. It is a serious sleeping disorder. This can lead to death in sleep. But most people have little idea about sleep apnea or sleeping disorder. Suffering from this disease, the sufferer himself often does not understand where the problem is. So let's not know the details about this today.
What is sleep apnea or sleeping disorder?
When a person has this problem, the person starts breathing very loudly within a short time of sleeping. Thus, if the speed of breathing gradually increases, at one stage the breathing stops. After a while it starts again. This period of respiratory distress is called apnea.
Types of sleep apnea
There are three main types of sleep apnea. E.g.
1. Central sleep apnea
2. Obstructive sleep apnea
3. Complex sleep apnea
The most common of these is obstructive sleepiness.
Why is that
The main cause of sleep apnea is the frequent inhalation of a large amount of carbon dioxide during sleep. When the amount of carbon dioxide in the body decreases at a relative rate, the central nervous system in a person's body stops the process of breathing. Breathing stops for at least 10 to 30 seconds. This reduces the amount of oxygen in the body and tries to balance the level of carbon dioxide. When the carbon dioxide level in the body rises again due to shortness of breath, then the nervous system resumes the process of respiration. This is called central sleep apnea.
Central sleep apnea can be caused by people taking opium sleeping pills, patients with congestive heart failure, mountaineers or those living in high altitudes. And if obstruction of breathing occurs due to obstruction of the respiratory tract, it is called obstructive sleep apnea. And if these two problems occur together, it is called complex sleep apnea.
In any case
If the tonsils are swollen
Swelling of the muscles at the junction of the trachea and throat (called adenoids)
When the nasal muscles are enlarged and the nasal bones are enlarged
Older people and children who are overweight or obese
Allergic problems can be caused by swelling of the muscles of the airways
Symptoms
If you wake up again and again or if you get tired after waking up
Wake up in a state of panic without any nightmares or without any reason
Snoring or snoring in sleep due to lack of air
You have to breathe with your mouth open during sleep or your mouth and throat become dry after waking up
Lack of good sleep at night makes you feel drowsy during the day
Lack of focus at work and frequent headaches
Insomnia or irregular sleep
This problem is aggravated by sleeping on your back
Treatment
1) First of all, whether there is sleep apnea or if there is, it is necessary to determine the cause. Polysomnography or sleep study can accurately diagnose sleep apnea. This test can be used to monitor symptoms other than brain activity, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels during sleep.
2) Sleeping pills, alcohol, anti-depressant medication, etc. should be avoided. All of this relaxes the respiratory muscles during sleep, resulting in loss of respiratory function.
3) Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine can be used while sleeping. With the help of this machine, air is continuously injected into the airways through a plastic pipe and face mask. As a result, even if there is an obstruction in the airways, there is no problem in breathing.
4) If there is any obstruction in the trachea such as tonsils or adenoids, it can be removed through surgery. In the same way, the enlarged muscles or curved bones of the nose can be fixed.
Consult a physician if you are at risk for sleep apnea or any of the above symptoms. Stay well, stay healthy.