Sleep apnea

(Redirected from Apnea)

Sleep apnea (or Sleep apnoea) is a problem certain people have: When they sleep, they may stop breathing for short periods. These periods can last for 10 seconds or more. 3-4 breaths are missed. As a result of this, those affected are often tired during the day. Mainly because such people also tend to have microsleep, they should not drive vehicles. Sleep apnea is a treatable disease.

Signs and symptoms

  • loud snoring
  • lowering of concentration

Finding out if someone has sleep apnea

People can ask their partner or family member if they are breathing strangely when they are sleeping.

Treatment

 
Full face cpap mask
  • In case the patient is obese, losing weight improves sleep apnea.
  • Fixing the environment where they sleep
  • Continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP)
  • Expiratory positive airway pressure(EPAP)
  • Circular breathing technique (It makes muscle of the upper airway stronger, so airway remains opening when sleeping. Playing didgeridoo is good for learning this technique.[1]

Complication

Diseases which may complicate sleep apnea are: obesity, high blood pressure, hyperlipidaemia, arrhythmia, polyemia, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes etc.

Sleep apnea is a risk factor of arteriosclerotic disease.[2][3]

Effects

  • Intolerable sleepiness of daytime
  • Depression
  • Less concentration
  • Loud snoring
  • Night frequent urination
  • Headache when waking up

When there are no house mates, it may take time to discover this condition. When especially subjective symptoms are weak, the state will get worse gradually and it will start a serious problem.

Other websites

References

  1. Puhan MA, Suarez A, Lo Cascio C; et al. (2005). "Didgeridoo playing as alternative treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: randomised controlled trial". BMJ. 332 (7536): 266–70. doi:10.1136/bmj.38705.470590.55. PMC 1360393. PMID 16377643.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. "Sleep Apnea Machines". Archived from the original on 2017-01-30. Retrieved 2015-10-28.
  3. "Is it snoring or sleep Apnea?". Archived from the original on 2016-03-16. Retrieved 2015-10-28.