Sleep Apnea: A Silent Disorder That Could End Your Life

What is Sleep Apnea?

It is a respiratory condition affecting millions worldwide. According to a study conducted in 2019, it affected approximately 936 million people, with many remaining undiagnosed.

This disorder manifests through regular pauses in breathing during the night, caused by relaxation of the throat wall muscles, which blocks the airway, leading to frequent awakenings and preventing the body from entering deep sleep.

These breathing pauses, known as apneas, typically last from 10 to 30 seconds but can sometimes be even longer. This can occur multiple times an hour, up to 30 times or more in severe cases.

This phenomenon is not limited to a single definition, as there are several types of sleep apnea worth exploring.

What Are the Different Types of Sleep Apnea?

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The most common form, accounting for about 85–90% of cases, occurs when the airways are blocked, preventing airflow through the nose or mouth.
2. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): This type is less common than OSA, representing only 5–10% of cases. It is characterized by regular interruptions in breathing during sleep. Unlike obstructive apnea, these interruptions are not due to airway blockage but rather to the brain’s failure to signal the respiratory muscles.
3. Complex Sleep Apnea: This less common form can be harder to treat as it combines symptoms of both previous types. This means the individual experiences both breathing pauses caused by a brain-to-respiratory-muscle signal dysfunction and physical blockages in the airways.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

Some of the most common causes include:

1. Gender: Generally, sleep apnea affects men more than women. However, this difference appears to decrease after menopause, suggesting a possible hormonal influence.
2. Age: The flexibility of the airways decreases with age, increasing the risk of obstructions during sleep.
3. Weight: Being overweight, especially obese, plays a significant role. Fat accumulation in the neck and pharynx can narrow the airways, making nighttime breathing more challenging.
4. Heredity

How Does Sleep Apnea Put Your Health at Risk? And Can You Really Die from Sleep Apnea?

Clinical research suggests that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) can have severe health impacts, especially when untreated, even leading to death through conditions like:

• Heart Disease: Sleep apnea increases the risk of heart disease and strokes. About 76% of individuals with stable heart failure also have OSAS, meaning they are at higher risk for heart attacks, which can be fatal.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Nearly 50% of diabetics also suffer from OSAS, which disrupts the body’s glucose and insulin regulation, increasing the risk of severe complications like heart problems, which can lead to death.
• Obesity/Overweight: There is a strong link between sleep apnea and obesity, with approximately 77% of obese individuals also experiencing it. Obesity raises the risk of severe diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and even certain cancers, all of which can be life-threatening.
• Mental Health Issues: Individuals with OSAS experience anxiety, depression, and mood disorders, which can lead to severe consequences, such as suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

These health problems can be very serious, even fatal, prompting us to consider solutions for curing sleep apnea.

How Can You Cure Sleep Apnea?

Treating sleep apnea involves lifestyle changes as well as medical solutions. Here are some simple adjustments you can make in your daily life:

• If you’re overweight, losing some weight can help reduce the pressure on your airways and improve your sleep.
• Reducing alcohol intake and avoiding sedatives before bed can lower the risk of apnea.
• Physical activity not only helps maintain a healthy weight but also strengthens the muscles that support your airways.

Medical Solutions:

• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): Wearing a nasal or nasal-oral mask connected to a machine via a tube helps prevent sleep apnea by pushing air through the airways.
• Mandibular Advancement Device: This device advances the lower jaw to prevent the tongue from falling back and blocking the airways.

What Innovative Solutions Does Back2Sleep Offer for Sleep Apnea?

Back2Sleep offers two products specifically designed to alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea syndrome:

• Anti-Snoring Starter Kit: This aims to reduce snoring by keeping the airways open, allowing you to enjoy peaceful nights and wake up feeling refreshed.
• Back2Sleep Nasal Stent: This device keeps your airways open, reduces sleep apnea, and promotes restful sleep.

These treatments are available for only €39.00.

As the beautiful proverb says:

“Sleep feeds those who have nothing to eat.” — Menander / Fragments

So invest in your sleep with Back2Sleep certified products to improve your sleep and enjoy a better quality of life.