Sleep apnea is a common condition in which your breathing stops and restarts many times while you sleep. This can prevent your body from getting enough oxygen.
What exactly causes sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles that support the soft tissues in your throat, such as your tongue and soft palate, temporarily relax. When these muscles relax, your airway is narrowed or closed, and breathing is momentarily cut off. This occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax.
What are the psychological effects of sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea can cause up to 30 sleep disruptions per hour! You’ll have trouble concentrating on tasks, experience forgetfulness, have poor judgment, and may risk high stress levels and depression, as well as other more severe mental health struggles.
What are the 3 types of sleep apnea?
There are three forms of sleep apnea: central, obstructive, and complex. The most common of these is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
What is sleep apnea easy definition? – Related Questions
Who does sleep apnea affect the most?
Sleep apnea occurs in about 3 percent of normal weight individuals but affects over 20 percent of obese people, Jun says. In general, sleep apnea affects men more than women. However, sleep apnea rates increase sharply in women after menopause.
Can sleep apnea cause emotional problems?
Studies show an association between sleep apnea and mental health conditions—with mood, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, being highly comorbid with sleep apnea, and there are reports of higher risk of sleep apnea in psychosis and schizophrenia as well.
What is the most common psychiatric illness associated with obstructive sleep apnea?
In addition, 1 large cohort study showed a higher prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities, such as mood disorders and anxiety, in patients with OSA than in patients without OSA. Another cohort study described the prospective association between OSA and subsequent depressive disorders within 1 year of OSA onset.
What neurological disorders cause sleep apnea?
Research indicates that patients with some certain types of neurological conditions such as myasthenia gravis, Parkinsonism, and myotonic dystrophy have a higher chance of suffering from sleep apnea. This is because these conditions may impair the nerves that control the upper airway muscles.
What are the 5 major sleep disorders psychology?
There are several different types of sleep-wake disorders, of which insomnia is the most common. Other sleep-wake disorders include obstructive sleep apnea, parasomnias, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome. Sleep difficulties are linked to both physical and emotional problems.
What are the 2 major risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea?
Smoking. People who smoke are more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea. Diabetes. Obstructive sleep apnea might be more common in people with diabetes.
What test is used to diagnose sleep apnea?
Tests to detect sleep apnea include: Nocturnal polysomnography. During this test, you’re hooked up to equipment that monitors your heart, lung and brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels while you sleep. Home sleep tests.
What are the warning signs of sleep apnea?
This happens because apnea often causes you to breathe through your mouth. Dry mouth, also caused by mouth breathing. Occasionally waking up with a choking or gasping sensation. Restless sleep, repeated awakenings, or insomnia.
Is sleep apnea curable?
While there is no cure for sleep apnea, studies show that certain lifestyle factors can reverse or make your sleep apnea less intense. Other treatment or surgical options can also reverse the condition. Sleep apnea happens when your upper airway muscles relax while you sleep. This causes you to not get enough air.
How long can you live with sleep apnea?
If left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can shorten your life from anywhere between 12-15 years. While there is no permanent cure for obstructive sleep apnea, diagnosis and treatment will alleviate its effects.
Does stress cause apnea?
Sleep Apnea and Stress
The blocked airways that result from obstructive sleep apnea are caused by the abnormal relaxation of the throat muscles during sleep. Stress does not cause obstructive sleep apnea directly, but it can worsen your symptoms. “Stress can make some of the symptoms of sleep apnea worse.
What is the fastest way to cure sleep apnea?
Treatment
- Lose weight if you’re overweight.
- Exercise regularly.
- Drink alcohol moderately, if at all. Don’t drink in the hours before bedtime.
- Quit smoking.
- Use a nasal decongestant or allergy medications.
- Don’t sleep on your back.
- Avoid taking sedative medications such as anti-anxiety drugs or sleeping pills.
What is the best position to sleep if you have sleep apnea?
Snoring and sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea causes the airways to collapse during sleep, leading to pauses in breathing. It often goes hand-in-hand with snoring. Positioning yourself on your side or stomach can help the airways stay open to reduce snoring and alleviate mild apnea, Salas says.
What helps sleep apnea naturally?
Sleep apnea lifestyle remedies
- Maintain a healthy weight. Doctors commonly recommend people with sleep apnea to lose weight.
- Try yoga. Regular exercise can increase your energy level, strengthen your heart, and improve sleep apnea.
- Alter your sleep position.
- Use a humidifier.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking.
- Use oral appliances.
Can you correct sleep apnea on your own?
People with mild sleep apnea may find that home remedies, such as lifestyle changes, help decrease their symptoms2. However, people with moderate to severe sleep apnea typically need medical interventions3 to relieve symptoms. Lifestyle changes are often made in addition to receiving medical treatment.
What helps sleep apnea without a machine?
But a CPAP machine doesn’t work for everyone. Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth can be intrusive and cumbersome. Thankfully, there are other options to try.
5 Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
- Oral Appliances.
- Oral Surgery.
- Weight Loss.
- Positional Therapy.
- Inspire Therapy.
