What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea
A Guide to Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea or OSA is the most common type of sleep apnea where the airway usually collapses, or is blocked during sleep. In all cases of sleep apnea, a part of the respiratory system narrows down and this decreases the amount of blood that enters into the lungs. This lowering of oxygen in the blood system will trigger the brain to prompt the person to breathe again. When this happens, the sleeper wakes up, or moves into a semi-sleep. He/she gasps, this jump starting the breathing process.
So, if you are feeling tired and fatigued at work; it could be because you are suffering from sleep apnea. With this common sleep disorder, you will have one of more pauses while breathing. It is a condition where you stop breathing for 10 or more seconds. If you take less than 25% of the normal breath, or if you stop breathing completely, this is known as apnea. Surprisingly 10% of the American adult population is affected by Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
More about sleep apnea
In sleep apnea, the breathing pause will last for a few seconds to minutes. There may be 5 to 30 breathing pauses in an hour. It is usually a chronic condition that disrupts your sleep a number of times through the week.
It is often difficult to diagnose sleep apnea as there are no blood tests or apparent symptoms that can de detected. You may not be able to detect sleep apnea yourself, as this happens when you are fast asleep – so probably, it will be one of your family members who will first make you aware of the situation.
Sleep apnea usually occurs in overweight people and in men, though it is quite common in women and children too.
Types of sleep apnea and their explanation
The types are:
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Central sleep apnea
- Complex or mixed sleep apnea
Obstructive Sleep Apnea or OSA – This form of apnea constitutes 84% of all the cases of sleep apnea. Here, the muscle tone of the body relaxes and the airway at the throat, which is composed of collapsible walls of soft tissue, becomes blocked during sleeping.
Chronic case of obstructive sleep apnea requires treatment, so that you can prevent chances of hypoxemia or low blood oxygen, sleep deprivation and other complications like congestive heart failure called cor pulmonale.
When can you have more chances of OSA?
- If you are overweight
- If you are an active smoker
- And if you are somewhat advanced in your age
- Diabetic patients
- Tranquilizers, antihistamines, or sleeping pills worsens the case
Central sleep apnea – This form of apnea is caused by problems with the brain controlling your breathing pattern. In Cheyne-Stokes respiration or pure central apnea, you will find that the brain’s respiratory control centers are imbalanced while sleeping.
Unlike in obstructive sleep apnea, here there is no effort made to breathe during the pause in breathing – there is no struggle. Here, the neurological controls required for breathing malfunction. If this continues for more than 20 seconds, the heart rate will change and there is a huge reduction in the blood oxygen level. This is believed to be a huge cause of SIDS or sudden infant death syndrome.
Complex Sleep apnea – This form of apnea is responsible for 15% of all the cases. Here, there is a transition of the central sleep apnea to obstructive sleep apnea.
Finally, remember that sleep apnea can be life threatening. So ensure that you consult your doctor immediately after you suspect that you may have the condition. You can avoid the condition to an extent, by staying fit and underweight and by elevating your head while sleeping and by avoiding consumption of alcohol just before bedtime.