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Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea is a serious and potentially life threatening condition, which is characterised by

  • Repetitive cessation in breathing for upto 10 seconds or more, during sleep, due to collapse of the upper airway or excessive relaxation of airway muscles.
  • This stoppage of breathing can happen hundreds of times a night and can leave you feeling like you have not slept at all, despite having a full night’s sleep.
  • A reduction in oxygen levels in the blood- during this time, body and organs like brain, heart etc do not get adequate oxygen, This can increase your risk for high blood pressure, heart problems, coronary artery disease, diabetes etc
  • Frequent awakening in an attempt to breath – The reduction in blood oxygen levels causes your body to wake up and you may make a gasping, snorting or choking sound to try and catch your breath. Since the snorer does not get good rest, they may be sleepy during the day, which decreases their performance.

  • What Are the Symptoms of OSA?

    Symptoms associated with OSA can include:

    • Loud snoring
    • Pauses in breathing during sleep
    • Waking up gasping or choking
    • Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
    • Excessive Daytime Sleepiness or fatigue
    • Frequent nighttime urination
    • Morning headache
    • Fragmented, non-refreshing sleep
    • Difficulty staying asleep which often result in intermittent or chronic Insomnia
    • Irritability, mood changes, depression,
    • Difficulty concentrating, attention problems
    • High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, or other cardiac issues
    • Decreased sex drive

  • What is the effect of Apnea on our body?

    Every time you have apnea, there is a release of stress hormones in our body. Many episodes of apnea can happen each night, placing stress on our heart and brain. Our sleep is also disrupted because apneas are accompanied by mini-arousals.

    When we have insufficient sleep, we feel tired the next day. This affects our work, concentration, memory and relationships with other people. There is also a increased risk of having at motor accident.

  • What are the factors that increase risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea ?

    • Snoring
    • Alcohol , sedative medication,
    • Excessive bulkiness of throat tissue
    • Large tonsils or adenoids
    • Large tongue, Small jaw bone
    • Elongated soft palate
    • Age and gender – OSA is more common in men. After age 50, both men and women are more susceptible to OSA
    • Hypothyroidism
    • Smoking

  • Why is sleep apnea a serious or potentially life threatening disease ?

    Sleep apnea can cause or worsen the following medical problems:

    • High blood pressure that may be difficult to control even with medication
    • Increased risk for heart attack , cardiac arrhythmia ( irregular heart rate)
    • Increased risk for stroke
    • Pulmonary hypertension
    • Depression and anxiety
    • Weight gain
    • Migraine headaches
    • Diabetes
    • Mood swings, irritability
    • Job impairment
    • Acid reflux
    • Bruxism (teeth grinding)
    • Impotency and sexual dysfunction
    • Brain and cognitive changes
    • Increased risk of work-related or driving accidents
    • Premature death

  • I do not snore, could I still have Sleep Apnea ?

    The word apnea means “without breath” and that’s exactly what Sleep Apnea sufferers are periodically doing throughout the night .

    In certain types of Apneas, people may not exhibit snoring or gasping, for example, People with central apnea may not snore.

    Diagnosing Sleep Apnea needs to be done with an overnight polysomnogram (PSG ), a sleep study which measures various physiological functions during the stages of sleep. The results are then evaluated by a sleep specialist, a diagnosis is made and a treatment plan is proposed.

    Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed. Doctors usually can’t detect the condition during routine office visits, although a screening questionnaire will be helpful to assess symptoms and risk factors.

Types of Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

The most prevalent kind of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, which accounts for 84 percent of sleep apnea diagnoses. A blockage (or obstruction) in the upper airway — that is, in the nose or throat – causes air to cease moving to the lungs in most cases of obstructive sleep apnea.

Central sleep apnea (CSA)

Central sleep apnea (CSA) is a form of sleep apnea that is less common. Although the airway is open in certain situations, air does not flow to the lungs because no attempt is made to breathe. The automatic activity of breathing ceases because the link between the brain and the body has been disrupted. Because people with CSA don’t snore very often, the disease might go undetected.

Mixed sleep apnea

This is a combination of obstructive sleep apnea OSA (where there is a blockage or obstruction in the upper airway) and CSA (where there is a blockage or obstruction in the lower airway) (where no effort is made to breathe).

If you need extra details, Our specialist can assist you.

Problems associated with Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Medical Problems

Sleep Apnea disturbs sleeping patterns and deprives the snorer of adequate rest, which can lead to serious , long-term health problems like

  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Weight gain
  • Headaches
  • Impotence
  • Acid Reflux

Work Problems

  • Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
  • Fatigue
  • Falling asleep during important meetings
  • Low work concentration
  • Poor work performance
  • Impaired memory
  • Irritability or depression

Social Problems

  • Snoring – Adults or kids that snore can become an object of ridicule
  • Marital discord – Spouse of a snorer is unable to sleep
  • People with Sleep Apnea have decreased libido.
  • Irritability
  • Mood swings
  • Weight gain
  • Sleep apnea has been found to be one of the major reasons of motor vehicle accidents

Definitions

Apnea – An apnea is defined as an interruption in breathing during sleep for 10 or more seconds, typically due to obstruction of the airway.

Hypopnea – A hypopnea is a less severe form of an apnea in which a full obstruction of the airway does not occur, but the flow of air is still significantly diminished.

nk snoring and sleep

Address

  • #10/3, 2055 Kaikondrahalli,
    3rd floor, Above Thyme & Whisk Restaurant,
    Sarjapur Main Road,
    Bengaluru 560035
  • Timings: Mon-Sat: 9AM - 7PM

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