SLEEP DISTURBANCE MANAGEMENT AKA OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA
WHAT IS OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA?
When something partially or completely restricts your upper airway while you sleep, it is known as obstructive sleep apnea. The process of opening your airway and drawing air into your lungs requires more effort from your diaphragm and chest muscles. It’s possible for your breathing to become extremely shallow or even to momentarily cease. The typical way you reintroduce air to your body is with a sharp gasp, snort, or jolt. Even though you could not get enough sleep, you most likely won’t be aware of it.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Common obstructive sleep apnea warning signs include:
• Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
• Dry mouth or sore throat when you wake up
• Headaches in the morning
• Trouble concentrating, forgetfulness, depression, or crankiness
• Night sweats
• Restlessness during sleep
• Problems with sex, like a low sex drive
• Snoring
• Waking up suddenly and feeling like you’re gasping or choking
• Trouble getting up in the mornings
• Waking up often in the middle of the night to pee
• High blood pressure
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Causes
The main cause of obstructive sleep apnea is usually excessive relaxation of the muscles controlling your airway, which narrows your throat. Reopening your airway requires a brief period of wakefulness, and you most likely won’t recall performing it. This could occur hundreds of times every hour.
Muscle relaxation causes the airway to constrict or close, as you breathe in. This may result in a build-up of carbon dioxide and a decrease in blood oxygen levels.
When your breathing becomes difficult, your brain detects it and momentarily wakes you up to allow you to clear your throat. Usually, this awakening lasts for so little time that you forget about it.
Obstructive sleep apnea can also be brought on by other factors that impede the throat, such as obesity, enlarged tonsils, and medical conditions like heart failure or endocrine abnormalities.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Risk Factors
Anyone can have obstructive sleep apnea. It’s more likely if you:
• Are male
• Are older
• Have a family history of sleep apnea
• Have asthma
• Smoke
• Have diabetes
• Have high blood pressure
• Have a higher risk of heart failure or stroke
• Are overweight or obese
• Have a large or thick neck
• Have smaller airways in your nose, throat, or mouth
• Have too much tissue at the back of your throat that hangs down to block your airway
• Have a large tongue
• Chronic nasal congestion
• Smoking