Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a common sleeping disorder, which is one of the common causes of poor nighttime sleeping and excessive daytime sleeping. In this sleep disorder, the breathing might stop for a few seconds while sleeping. Usually there are three types of sleep apnea – obstructive, mixed and central apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea. It largely occurs after the age of 35. Unfortunately, few people realize that they are suffering from obstructive sleep apnea because it occurs while they are sleeping, and stops as soon as they wake up.
Obstructive sleep apnea causes
When we are awake, the muscles in the throat keeps the airways in the throat open, helping us to breath. When we sleep, these muscles relax. In the absence of any rigid structure in the area, the airway collapses when the muscles relax, obstructing breathing. As soon as the breathing stops, the sleeper immediately wakes up. As soon as the sleeper wakes up, the muscles expand, removing the obstruction in the airway and resuming the normal breathing pattern. However, the sleeper could not realize the reason for the sudden disruption in sleep. As soon as the sleeper starts breathing normally, he falls asleep only to be aroused from his slumber after sometime, when the airway collapses. A person suffering from obstructive sleep apnea might experience 10 to 60 episodes of disrupted sleep throughout the night.
Risk factors of obstructive sleep apnea
What causes obstructive sleep apnea is often unclear. However, obese or overweight people are more likely to suffer from this disorder. Fat depositions around the throat narrow the airways, increasing the risk of obstruction when the muscles of the area relax during sleep. As we age, we tend to lose our muscle mass, which increases the risk of obstructive sleep apnea in older adults. Smoking, nasal congestion and intake of alcohol or sedatives could be associated with this condition. Although, obstructive sleep apnea is rare in children, enlarged tonsils in children might make them susceptible to this condition. Anatomic defects or illness of the thyroid gland, vocal cord or muscles could be responsible for obstructive sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea treatment
Instead of lying on your back, obstructive sleep apnea could be reduced by sleeping on your side. By reducing weight and avoiding alcohol, sedatives and smoking, you can reduce the chance of developing obstructive sleep apnea.
