Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder that affects many people. The disorder causes a person's breathing to be interrupted during sleep, which can lead to serious health problems. Learn 7 Surprising facts about obstructive sleep apnea
3. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition where breathing
stops during sleep. This happens because the airway collapses or
becomes blocked due to excessive tissue growth. The result is loud
snoring and frequent awakenings. OSA affects men more often
than women.
OSA is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental
factors. People who are overweight, obese, and those with large
necks and jaws are at higher risk of developing OSA.
There are two types of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea:
lifestyle changes and surgery. Lifestyle changes include avoiding
alcohol, smoking, and sleeping on your back. Surgery involves
removing excess tissue from the throat area.
OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA
4. 7 Surprising Facts About Obstructive
Sleep Apnea
The most common form of sleep apnea, Obstructive Sleep
Apnea (OSA), affects the quality of life of an estimated 20
million Americans.
People with OSA typically suffer from excessive daytime
sleepiness, morning headaches, and low energy levels, which
can negatively impact their moods and relationships at home
and work.
The good news is that effective treatment options are
available to help patients reduce their symptoms and improve
their overall quality of life. Here are 7 surprising facts about
OSA that you may not know
5. ONE THIRD OF ADULTS HAVE
SOME FORM OF OSA
Indians are more likely to suffer from OSA than people of other
ethnicities.
OSA is often misdiagnosed as insomnia, which can be treated
with the proper information.
Sleeping at a 30 degree incline can help ease symptoms by
preventing the tongue from falling back and blocking the
airway.
Proper treatment includes either a CPAP (Continuous Positive
Airway Pressure) machine or surgery to remove excess tissue.
6. PEOPLE WITH UNTREATED
OSA ARE AT RISK FOR
SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES
OSA often goes untreated because many people with OSA have
other medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood
pressure, depression, or an enlarged prostate.
One of the risks for people with untreated OSA is obesity-
related health problems such as Type 2 diabetes and high
blood pressure. Untreated OSA also puts you at risk for
developing cardiovascular disease and cognitive dysfunction,
including early-onset dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Some studies suggest that there are significant links between
sleep apnea and insomnia with premature death.
7. SUFFERERS CAN BECOME
DEPENDENT ON SLEEPING
PILLS AND ALCOHOL
OSA sufferers often struggle with insomnia because the condition
can cause disrupted sleep patterns and chronic fatigue.
In an effort to get some rest, some people take drugs like Ambien
and Xanax, which can make the condition worse.
Others drink alcohol as a form of self-medication, but this too can
lead to negative consequences.
8. SLEEP DEPRIVATION LOWERS YOUR
SELF-CONTROL
A lack of sleep has also been shown to lower self-control, which
could increase the likelihood of taking up unhealthy habits.
For example, having to stay up late because you are overbooked can
make it harder to maintain a healthy diet.
Sleep deprived people tend to crave high-sugar and high-fat foods
like pizza and ice cream, which contribute to weight gain.
They may also be more likely to give in to impulse shopping or
alcohol consumption if they're too tired during work hours.
9. SLEEPING IN A NEGATIVE PRESSURE
ROOM HELPS REDUCE SYMPTOMS
Surprisingly, the most common treatment for OSA is just to go to
bed earlier. But if that doesn't work, another option is a sleep-aid
called Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP).
CPAP may feel uncomfortable at first but after a few days it
becomes easier. It works by giving you enough air pressure in
your throat so your airway stays open while you sleep.
10. BREATHING MACHINES CAN STOP THE
OCCURRENCE OF SEVERE EPISODES
OSA can cause blood pressure to rise due to the stress of
fighting for air.
People who experience more than one episode per hour are
at a higher risk for high blood pressure and heart disease.
Sleep apnea is often related to obesity, which increases the
risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
11. EVEN IF YOU WAKE UP MANY TIMES
PER NIGHT, YOU MAY NOT
BE AWARE OF IT
People who have OSA may feel like they only had a few hours of
sleep when, in reality, they got five or six hours. This can lead to
feelings of exhaustion during the day and difficulty
concentrating.
Additionally, even if they wake up many times per night, people
with OSA often do not remember any of those awakenings so
they don't realize what is happening to them until it's
diagnosed.
12. It is unclear to what extent sleep apnea can impact one's health as it often
goes undetected. One major side effect of untreated sleep apnea is high
blood pressure.
Anyone who has been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
should consult with a specialist. They will be able to provide an effective
treatment and give general advice on how to live a healthy life.
A chiropractor can also provide additional support for treating OSA, as
they are trained in manual medicine and may be able to detect other
problems that result from the disorder such as poor posture or injury due
to a lack of restful sleep.
CONSULT NOW
REACH US
No: 395, Sarojini Naidu Road,
Sidhapudur, Coimbatore - 641044
+91 7970 108 108
www.sriramakrishnahospital.com
