Does your loved one snore regularly at night? But the problem is not limited to the inconvenience to others. Sleep apnea can be really dangerous, leading to many quite serious health problems. From the Greek language, the term "apnea" is translated as "respiratory arrest." Of course, we all voluntarily face forced respiratory arrests, for example, during immersion in water. However, unconscious breath holdings , lasting from 20 seconds to 3 minutes, over time can lead to disorders that complicate both the physical and psychological state of a person.
Symptoms of the disease
Sleep apnea, the symptoms of which everyone needs to know, threatens respiratory arrest. However, a person may not feel what is happening during sleep and not be aware of his illness. It is worth paying attention to other obvious signs that characterize sleep apnea. It:
- Regular snoring.
- The feeling of suffocation that occurs during sleep.
- Overwork and drowsiness throughout the day.
- Morning headache.
- Reduced concentration and irritability.
- Dry feeling in throat and mouth after waking up.
Types of Apnea: Central Lack of Breath
Such a phenomenon as a central lack of breathing is quite rare in medical practice. This type of apnea is characterized by the fact that at some point the brain temporarily stops sending signals to the respiratory muscles that control breathing. Because of this, breathing stops. Moreover, patients sleep so restlessly that they are able to recall their nocturnal awakenings. Central sleep apnea can lead to complications such as hypoxia or disorders of the cardiovascular system.
Types of Apnea: Obstructive Lack of Breath
More often, doctors face obstructive lack of breathing. In this case, the lumen of the respiratory tract is critically narrowed, the muscles of the pharynx relax, the air flow is interrupted. Oxygen levels drop, and a person is forced to wake up to restore breathing. However, these awakenings are so short-lived that in the morning they are not remembered. On average, in a person suffering from this type of apnea, such respiratory arrest attacks occur 5-30 times per hour. Naturally, we are not talking about any full-fledged sleep or rest. Obstructive sleep apnea, the treatment of which must be started when the first symptoms of the disease are detected, can lead to a number of disorders with health and well-being.
Types of Apnea: Complex Respiration
This type of apnea has all the characteristic signs of both central and obstructive respiratory rhythm disturbances . Periodic respiratory arrest in combination with obstruction of the upper respiratory tract accompany a person throughout sleep. Such a sleep apnea syndrome requires immediate diagnosis and treatment, as it threatens with quite serious consequences, such as the development of coronary heart disease.
Apnea in children
Despite the fact that we are accustomed to consider this problem rather age-related, it can also occur in children. Children with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, lowering the palate and chin, and an underdeveloped nervous system are at risk. Premature babies, newborns with Down syndrome and cerebral palsy are also more likely to suffer from nocturnal apnea. The reason may be medications taken by a nursing mother. Parents should be alert for loud breathing during sleep, wheezing or nocturnal cough, prolonged intervals between breaths. The child does not fully get enough sleep, sweats and looks restless during wakefulness.
The most dangerous form of the disease is the obstructive form. The baby's face turns pale, fingers and lips become cyanotic, the heartbeat slows down, and muscle tone decreases. Sleep apnea in children requires immediate medical attention, as it is believed that the disease can lead to sudden infant death syndrome.
Causes of Apnea
Difficult or impaired patency of the upper respiratory tract leads to a condition called apnea by doctors. Most often, people with overweight or any inflammation of the airways suffer from the disease. The causes of sleep apnea can be different:
- Obesity, especially when significant deposits of fat are located on the neck.
- Neurological disorders that cause the brain to “forget” how to breathe in a dream.
- Curvature of the nasal septum, as well as other anomalies in the structure of the respiratory tract.
- Bad habits such as smoking, alcohol abuse, or taking drugs.
- Uncomfortable sleeping position.
- Age-related changes associated with a deterioration in muscle tone.
The danger of apnea
Hypoxia is the main danger facing sleep apnea. Lowering the oxygen level to the minimum level leads to the fact that the person is quiet, the skin turns blue, and a signal is sent to the brain that it is necessary to wake up. Upon awakening, a person inhales oxygen, thereby restoring impaired breathing. This state of affairs cannot be called normal in any way. A person does not chronically get enough sleep, not being able to plunge into the much-needed deep sleep. This leads to constant stress, disturbances in the functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. In this regard, the level of injuries at work and at home is increasing.
Often in patients with night apnea syndrome, the level of morning pressure rises, the heart rate is disturbed, which leads to the development of ischemia, stroke, atherosclerosis. Against the background of apnea, the condition of patients suffering from chronic diseases, for example, lung pathologies, worsens. As a significant side effect, one can also note the suffering of loved ones, forced not to get enough sleep next to a regularly snoring person.
Diagnosis of Apnea
To determine the severity of the problem, the most important role is played by the patient's relatives, who, according to the method of V.I. Rovinsky, pinpoint a stopwatch on the duration of respiratory pauses and their number. Upon examination, the doctor determines the patient’s body mass index. It is dangerous if the UTI is above 35. In this case, a second degree obesity is diagnosed . The volume of the neck should normally not exceed 40 cm in women and 43 cm in men. A pressure reading above 140/90 may also indicate a problem.
When diagnosing, it is mandatory to consult an otolaryngologist. At this stage, health problems such as curvature of the nasal septum, polyps, chronic tonsillitis, sinusitis and rhinitis are identified. Polysomnographic research allows you to register all the electrical potentials, the level of respiratory activity, the number, as well as the duration of attacks during sleep. In some cases, choking in a dream is not apnea. Screaming breathing with certain abnormalities may indicate incipient asthma or other health problems.
The severity of the disease
In order to determine the severity of sleep apnea, it is necessary to calculate the average number of respiratory arrest attacks per hour. Up to five episodes - no problem, up to 15 - mild syndrome, up to 30 - moderate. Over 30 attacks are considered a serious form of the disease, requiring immediate medical attention. The method of treatment is determined by the doctor based on the patient’s state of health, and traditional medicine is helping to get rid of the problem faster.
Treatment
Apnea treatment always consists in eliminating the cause that caused the problem. Adenoids and tonsils are removed surgically, the curved nasal septum is also normalized, allowing the person to breathe fully. Obese people are prescribed treatment to normalize their weight. Weight reduction of only 5 kilograms in many cases helps to get rid of the problem. For diseases of a neurological nature, medication is required. Respiratory stimulants, such as Theophylline or Acetazolamide, are also prescribed.
If the cause of sleep apnea is a flabby sky, then the radio wave method helps to strengthen it, as well as change the configuration. Local anesthesia, the absence of a long rehabilitation period and high efficiency made the method the most popular today. The operation lasts only 20 minutes, after an hour the patient goes home, and spends the next night without the usual agonizing apnea attacks. Treatments such as liquid nitrogen or laser are also popular and effective. But the healing of the palate after manipulation is slower, causing a person some discomfort.
In severe cases, CPAP therapy is used. A special device, which is a mask connected to a pressure-creating device, is put on the patient’s nose before going to bed. Pressure is selected in such a way that it is easy and comfortable for a person to breathe. Less popular are methods of treating apnea, such as fixatives for the jaw and glue strips that increase the lumens of the nasal passages, pillows that force a person to sleep exclusively in the “on the side” position.
Alternative methods of treatment
Alternative medicine offers many options for getting rid of apnea. Simple and affordable recipes can sleep a great help in the traditional treatment of the disease.
- To moisturize the mucous membranes of the throat and nose, before going to bed, rinse your nose with salt water, which is poured into the palm of your hand, draw in your nose, and immediately blow your nose. To prepare the mixture, it is necessary to dissolve a teaspoon of sea salt in a glass of warm water.
- Cabbage juice has also long been used in the treatment of apnea. A teaspoon of honey is added to a glass of freshly squeezed juice. The drink should be consumed within a month before bedtime.
- Healing nasal breathing will help healing sea buckthorn oil. It is enough to instill 5 drops of oil in each nostril for several weeks before going to bed. This method helps to remove inflammation from the tissues of the nasopharynx, has a healing effect, and restores blood circulation.
- Carrots have proven effective in treating snoring. It is necessary to eat one baked root three times a day before meals.
- Yoga can also be used as a treatment for apnea. Simple exercises performed 30 times in the morning and before bedtime will help to forget about the attacks of the disease. Pull the tongue forward while lowering to the chin. In this position, hold your tongue for two seconds. Press the chin with your hand and move the jaw back and forth with a certain amount of force.
- The easiest and most pleasant way to treat mild or moderate apnea is singing. Just sing daily for half an hour, strengthening your throat muscles. This method is really effective.
Such treatment of sleep apnea with folk remedies will help to cope with the problem, provided that all the recommendations of the doctor and subsequent preventive measures are followed.
Syndrome Prevention
Overweight people need to review their diet and lose weight. Smoking and alcohol are also some of the main causes leading to apnea. Refusing these bad habits in many cases helps to get rid of the problem forever. Toning drinks, including a cup of your favorite coffee in the afternoon, can also lead to the development of sleep apnea. It is enough to limit the intake of such drinks to a reasonable minimum.
A hard mattress and low pillow make breathing easier during sleep. Accustom yourself to sleep on your stomach. This will help relieve sleep apnea. Hiking before bedtime, soothing baths, massage - a good prevention of problems that interfere with fully get enough sleep and lead to many health problems.