Sleep apnea is a regular episode of respiratory arrest during sleep. The duration of one attack is not less than 10 seconds with repeatability of at least five times per hour.

According to the approved statistics, every fourth inhabitant of the planet over 30 years old snores in his sleep. Some believe that this is a completely harmless state and very much in vain. Because snoring may well hide a rather serious disease called apnea. If apnea treatment is not started on time, the consequences can be dire.

What happens to our body during an attack?

 Often, respiratory arrest during rest occurs directly due to the implementation of a blockage of the respiratory process. This type of apnea is also called “obstructive”. Oxygen stops flowing to the lungs. After that, a quick defense reaction of our body occurs. Since the necessary balance of oxygen is disturbed in the blood. The breathing center is stimulated and the person takes a breath.

At the moment, our brain wakes up for a short moment, having received an alarm signal. These attacks can be repeated many times during the night. In no case should you self-treat apnea. The result can be negative consequences.

From the outside, any person may think that the sleeper has died and stopped breathing. In some cases, this happens, unfortunately. A person suffering from such pathology simply does not wake up in the morning due to an overload of the cardiac and vascular systems, as well as the occurrence of other disorders. Heart rhythm problems are connected to the diseases already present.

As a result, sleep is significantly disturbed; weakness in the morning, a feeling of lack of sleep, fatigue, increases in blood pressure and the person is simply not himself. That is why the sooner qualified apnea treatment is started, the better.

The main symptoms of sleep apnea

During a night’s sleep, a person suddenly stops breathing for a period from several seconds to up to a minute. This is followed by a sharp snore and breathing continues again. These attacks can happen up to 550 times a night. This has a detrimental effect on our bodies.

A person who has sleep apnea does not get enough sleep at all. He constantly feels irritable and tired, drowsy. He has pain in the back of his head and shoulder muscles. Also, the general concentration of attention decreases, problems appear in intimate matters, and involuntary urination at night becomes more frequent. It is imperative that professionals treat sleep apnea.

So, the symptoms are as follows:

• loud nocturnal snoring;
• the appearance of headaches in the morning;
• a constant feeling of being overwhelmed;
• sleepiness during the day;
• regular urination;
• sweating during sleep;
• frequent physical activity during sleep;
• decreased attention;
• increase in body weight;
• deterioration of potency and others.

The main causes of sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is central as well as obstructive. The second option is caused by a violation of the patency of the upper respiratory tract, larynx. The main cause of central apnea is a violation of the part of the brain that regulates breathing. In some cases, obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by central apnea. This further complicates the diagnosis as well as the treatment process for sleep apnea.

Obstructive pathology in most cases is characteristic of men who are prone to obesity and suffer from it. Much less often, the disease is diagnosed in women. The constant use of alcohol, smoking, also the habit of sleeping on the back, various diseases of the lungs – all these serves as the reasons for the appearance of pathology.

People who are distinguished by narrow upper respiratory tracts, as well as a special structure of the larynx, are more susceptible to the development of such a disease. Such features are often inherited.

A patient who suffers from this ailment almost always cannot reach the deep phase of sleep, because the awakening constantly occurs due to the received alarms. As a result, a person is deprived of an extremely important part of compulsory and proper rest – sleep. This negatively affects directly the well-being during the day.

What is the danger of pathology in the absence of qualified treatment?

 If apnea treatment is not started on time, the consequences can be different. Starting from a simple headache in the morning, and ending with complete disability and even death.

A person runs the risk of earning a whole bunch of diseases, such as:

• diabetes;
• regular fatigue and weakness;
• heart disease;
• pathology of the gastrointestinal tract and liver;
• hypertension;
• asthma;
• cerebral hemorrhage, heart attack;
• in some cases, there may even be a complete cessation of breathing and, as a result, death.

Numerous trials have identified apnea syndrome as a significant factor in the onset of coronary artery disease. Extensive hypoxia, caused by the disease, often becomes the cause of angina pectoris. And such serious problems as hypertension, as well as hypoxia in interaction, can become the main cause of the development of atherosclerosis and, as a result, aggravate heart disease. Therefore, if you still think that this problem does not concern you and it will go away by itself, study the issue carefully again and take action.

People in many cases do not take snoring seriously, as well as frequent sudden awakenings at night. But their main reason is very dangerous and you should not wait until it passes by itself.

Who is the best to help diagnose?

If you or your loved ones notice the above symptoms, then it is better to consult directly with a specialist. The most correct diagnostic options are polysomnography, as well as daily ECG and heart rate monitoring. Through such research, you can track all the changes that occur to the body. Namely, breathing is also the activity of the nerves, the process of the heartbeat, etc.

Prevention can help reduce risks

Proper and timely treatment of sleep apnea is directly related to its causes. That is why the most common techniques are aimed at eliminating obstacles in the nasal passages, as well as correcting the nasal septum. In addition, special devices are used to support all organs of the oral cavity in the required position.

Preventive measures coincide directly with the therapeutic effect of the mild form. It is necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle, reduce weight to normal, and also stop taking alcohol. Daily throat muscle training will be helpful. The habit of sleeping on its side significantly alleviates the symptoms and improves the general situation. Particular attention is paid to the timely treatment of all diseases of the ENT organs.