Inadequate sleep might be the reason you are finding it to fall asleep at night or not active and attentive at work or home. According to research, people struggling with sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea perform below excellence in all endeavors.
When sleep apnea gets to a severe level, it can expose you to numerous life-threatening health risks, which may cause you to break down totally. On the other hand, good sleep help to restore and recharge your body and retain everything you have learned throughout the day.
Without a doubt, we all need to get good sleep at night. In that light, you may have to do all in your care to make sure you fix whatever problem may want to hinder you from having a good rest at night.
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a severe sleep disorder that can cause children to stop and start repeatedly breathing when sleeping.
With obstructive or central sleep apnea, the muscles in the upper airway relax while you’re sleeping. That causes your airways to become blocked, keeping you from getting enough air. That may cause you to stop breathing for 10 seconds or more until your reflexes initiate breathing to restart.
You are considered severe obstructive or central sleep apnea if your breathing pauses and restarts more every hour.
The apnea-hypopnea index measures severe obstructive sleep apnea to determine the range from mild to tough using the number of breathing pauses per hour that sleep apnea patients have while sleeping. You can also read more detail about sleep apnea in Australia by clicking here.
What are the common symptoms of severe sleep apnea syndrome?
Your bed partners may notice some symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea before you know. That is why it is good to constantly ask them if they notice any strange symptoms while you are sleeping. The symptoms of obstructive or central sleep apnea that only your bed partner can observe may include loud snoring and episodes of stopped breathing during sleep.
Other symptoms of obstructive or central sleep apnea that may be obvious to both of you include abrupt awakenings from sleep accompanied by choking or gasping, mood changes or irritability, and nighttime sweating.
You may also notice some symptoms personally without knowing your bed partner. Those signs can include difficulty with concentration, daytime sleepiness and memory, dry mouth or sore throat, bad morning headaches
What are the complications that may come with sleep apnea?
Either obstructive or central Sleep apnea can have long-term effects on your health. Untreated obstructive or central sleep apnea left without treatment can have serious consequences, including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, depression, and diabetes.
There are secondary effects, such as automobile accidents caused by falling asleep at the wheel.
Is sleep apnea a disability?
Professionally, it is not ideal for listing obstructive or central sleep apnea as a disability. However, it has listings for heart problems, breathing disorders, and mental deficits that can be associated with sleep apnea symptoms.
What are the common risk factors for severe sleep apnea?
You are at a higher risk for severe obstructive sleep apnea if:
- You are overweighed: Although anyone can have sleep apnea, obesity is considered the most critical risk factor. A report showed that sleep apnea affects over 20% of people with obesity compared to about 3% of people of moderate weight. According to experts, obstructive sleep apnea can also be caused by conditions associated with obesity.
- You are male: According to researchers, men are 2 to 3 times to have obstructive sleep apnea than premenopausal women. However, the risk is almost the same for men and women.
- You have a case in your family history: You may be at risk of developing sleep apnea If any of your family members have been diagnosed with the sleep disorder before.
- You are older: People with sleep apnea experience greater health challenges when they grow older. According to experts, obstructive sleep apnea becomes increasingly frequent as you age and plateaus when you are over 65.
- You smoke: Obstructive sleep apnea is common in people who smoke. In addition, smoking promotes sleep disorders and other life-threatening health challenges that may cause people to find it difficult to fall asleep.
- You have medical conditions: Your risk of developing sleep apnea may increase if you are a patient with diabetes, high blood pressure, or asthma.
- You have nasal congestion: Sleep apnea often occurs in people struggling with chronic nasal congestion.
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When should you see your healthcare provider?
Once you begin to observe the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea: it is best to book an appointment with your doctor. The following symptoms may suggest you are a sleep apnea patient:
- Loud and disruptive snoring
- Ceased breathing at intervals
- Abruptly waking from sleep due to coughing, gasping, or choking
Your medic may refer you to a sleep specialist with additional training and education in sleep medicine.
What are the remedies for severe sleep apnea?
The remedies for severe obstructive sleep apnea may include making slight changes in your lifestyle and going for therapies and surgeries.
Lifestyle changes
If you have been diagnosed and confirmed as an obstructive sleep apnea patient, your doctor may advise you to make a few changes in your lifestyle, including maintaining a moderate weight, quitting smoking, participating in regular exercise, and reducing alcohol consumption.
Therapy
There are tested and trusted therapies to treat moderate sleep apnea. The most common treatments to treat mild sleep apnea include a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine that operates the air pressure system and an oral device designed to keep the throat open when sleeping.
Surgery
Your doctor may recommend surgery such as UPPP: This procedure removes tissue to create space and free throat muscles, upper airway stimulation, Jaw surgery, tracheostomy, and implants to reduce upper airway collapse.
Final Words
Severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a serious sleep disorder that can pose tough challenges to your health if you ignore instant treatment. Undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea can have severe and life-threatening consequences. However, you can restore your normal sleep by trying credible treatment options.
Meanwhile, treating sleep apnea is not a stressful task. With the aid of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine and other treatments as prescribed by your doctor, you can sleep conveniently and healthily.
If you are experiencing any symptoms, make an appointment to see your sleep specialist for a diagnosis and treatment options.
