Sleep Apnea

Disclaimer: Not medical or professional advice. Always seek the advice of your physician.

The breathing process is inextricably linked to the way we live. Therefore, even a short cessation of breathing is dangerous to humans. The cause of hypoxia can be asthma attacks or whooping cough. But in most cases, people experience sleep apnea. Sleep apnea takes its name from the Greek word apnoea, which means without breath.

Sleep apnea is a medical condition that causes a person to stop breathing while sleeping. Apnea is defined as a cessation of breathing for at least 10 seconds.

Types of Sleep Apnea

• Central Sleep Apnea (CSA). This type of apnea is a relatively uncommon disorder associated with a malfunction of the central nervous system. CSA usually occurs after traumatic brain injury or brain disorder. Central apnea is more common in women. Dysfunctions of the central nervous system occur due to serious hormonal imbalance, which frequently affects women with gynecological diseases. Patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus are also at risk. 
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). OSA is caused by a physical blockage of the airway due to laryngeal muscle weakness. Snoring may be the first warning sign that the airway is narrowing. Fat people and smokers are also in the risk group. Research data show that 1 in 5 adults has at least mild symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, while 1 in 15 has moderate to severe symptoms.
• Mixed Sleep Apnea (MSA). In the case of MSA, the patient experiences both a disorder of the central nervous system and difficulty in getting oxygen into the lungs due to lung collapse. This type of apnea poses a serious threat to health.

Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI)

To determine the severity of the disease, doctors pay attention to the duration and frequency of episodes.

• Mild sleep apnea — 5–20 episodes per night.
• Moderate sleep apnea — 20-40 episodes.
• Severe sleep apnea — more than 40 episodes. 

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Sudden cessation of breathing during sleep, repeated awakenings, restless sleep, and loud snoring are the very first signs of apnea. However, patients find it difficult to notice these symptoms in time, since it occurs while they are unconscious. Therefore, a patient's children, parents, or partner should indicate the symptoms of the disease.
It is also worth visiting a somnologist if a person has the following symptoms.

• Frequent urge to use the restroom at night.
• Daytime sleepiness and fatigue.
• Morning headaches.
• Morning dry mouth.
• Decline in reaction and memory.
• Emotional instability (depression, irritability or stress).
• Paranoia and a constant feeling of anxiety.

These symptoms refer to temporary complications. Generally, the patient can observe them at night and in the morning. But if the patient doesn’t start the treatment on time, it can lead to more serious deviations.

• Sexual dysfunction and prostatitis (in men).
• Rapid weight gain.
• Arrhythmia.
• Cardiovascular diseases. 

Symptoms of sleep apnea in children.

• The rib cage does not move when inhaling.
• Slow heart rate, face turn bluish, blue upper lip.
• Frequent mouth breathing.
• Difficulty swallowing food.
• Bed-wetting. It happens due to a defect in the child's central nervous system.
• Excessive sweating.
• Unusual sleep position: when the neck bent far back. 

Causes of Sleep Apnea