Understanding Sleep Apnea: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

What better way to end your day than good night’s sleep, helping you recover your energy, and prepare to face a new day? However, it’s not always easy to get the deep and restorative sleep we need: several factors can influence your sleep, especially health issues. Among these issues, we find sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a condition that can impact your sleep as well as your daily life. To manage it and reduce its impact on your life, you must fully understand it. In this article, you will find a comprehensive guide with all the information you need to know about sleep apnea.

What is sleep apnea?

It is a breathing disorder that occurs during sleep, and manifests itself in the form of breathing pauses known as apneas. These generally last a few seconds but can sometimes exceed a minute. Apneas can cause chronic fatigue, poor sleep quality, and frequent awakenings each night.

That said, there are two main types of sleep apnea. The first is obstructive sleep apnea, which is the most common and is caused by a partial or complete obstruction of the respiratory tract (airways). The second is central sleep apnea, which is caused by a brain malfunction, where the brain fails to send signals to the respiratory muscles and they don’t function properly.

What are the causes and risk factors?

To fully understand sleep apnea, it’s just as important to know its causes. There are a good number of causes, but we will mention the most common factors:

• Weakness of the throat muscles: they may become excessively relaxed, leading to sleep apnea.
• Obesity: significant excess weight or fat can cause breathing issues during your sleep.
• Physical abnormalities: the most common being a deviated septum. A large majority of people with this abnormality also suffer from apnea.
• Age: in some cases, advanced age can also become a triggering factor for sleep apnea.

However, it’s important to note that in addition to these direct causes, there are aggravating factors. These include excessive alcohol or drug consumption, smoking, as well as hereditary factors and family history. All these factors should be considered during the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Regarding sleep apnea symptoms, it’s essential to distinguish between two types of symptoms. There are nocturnal symptoms, including loud snoring, choking during sleep, restless sleep, and breathing problems. There are also daytime symptoms, which include headaches, extreme fatigue, concentration problems, memory lapses, irritability... and more.

However, it’s crucial to mention that the symptoms don’t stop there, as sleep apnea can also have long-term consequences. If it is not treated properly and promptly, it can cause serious health problems such as diabetes, or even neurological or cardiovascular diseases.

How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

First, you need to understand that sleep apnea is a health issue that should not be taken lightly. So, if you notice that this problem is beginning to affect the quality of your sleep, or even completely alter your day-to-day life, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional. Seeing a doctor would be the first step in understanding sleep apnea and learning to live with it, getting expert advice and following that advice meticulously.

To diagnose sleep apnea, there are several reliable methods that professionals use, notably the common test called polysomnography. This is a sleep study usually conducted in a clinic, aiming to measure certain physiological parameters and determine the various sleep disorders you may have. Several home devices are also available to help people with apnea monitor their blood oxygen levels and any sleep interruptions that may occur throughout the night.

What are the treatment options for sleep apnea?

Although sleep apnea is not considered a curable condition, there are treatments and tips that can reduce the severity of the symptoms and help you manage the illness.

• Lifestyle changes: this implies altering your entire way of living. Whether it’s losing weight, avoiding the use of drugs and addictive substances, improving your nighttime routine with a suitable sleep position…
• Devices: there are several tools and devices available to help keep your airways open and monitor your sleep, that can help improve quality of life.
• Surgery: as last resort, surgery may become necessary, if there are any structural difformities that need correcting. This can greatly help with your sleep apnea.

Advice and tips for a better life with sleep apnea:

You can still have a good life, even if you suffer from sleep apnea. To live comfortably and reduce the side effects of this condition, there are a few tips you can consider. First, think about adopting good sleep hygiene. This mainly means setting up a daily routine to train your brain to rest fully, in the proper conditions. Second, you should always make sure to prepare an environment conducive to deep, uninterrupted sleep. This involves turning off the lights, reducing noise, setting the thermostat to a comfortable temperature... and more. Third, follow specialist-approved tips to reduce your apnea symptoms, such as changing your sleep position by lying on your side, for example. Finally, it’s always possible to use anti-snoring devices to help you sleep more comfortably.

Sleep apnea is a health concern that can negatively impact your life, both by day and by night. That’s why it may sometimes become necessary to seek medical intervention. A healthcare professional can properly diagnose sleep apnea and make sure you receive the appropriate treatment. So, if you notice that you are having breathing difficulties at night while you sleep, don’t hesitate to consult. A healthcare professional will also help you understand your condition, manage your symptoms, and improve your quality of life, while avoiding potential complications and long-term issues.