Sleep Apnea Guide: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Available Treatments

Causes of Sleep Apnea

You might have noticed obese people or old age people while sleeping. They tend to sleep with loud snoring noises. This may be a sign of sleep apnea. This section explores the different causes of sleep apnea.

Let's discuss the common causes of sleep apnea in detail:

Obesity

Obese people may accumulate fat tissue around the neck and throat. The process of accumulation increases the risk of airway destruction.

Age

Muscle tone tends to decrease with age. Muscles around the throat are more prone to this condition. This leads to airway collapse.

Gender

Men are more prone to sleep apnea. Risk factor of women increases after menopause. Hormonal changes after menopause contribute to changes in muscle tone.

Neck Circumference

People with thicker necks tend to have narrow air passages. It increases the risk of airway obstruction during sleep.

Family History

• There is no evidence to show genetic predisposition.
• You may have a higher risk if close relatives, such as parents or siblings, have sleep apnea.

Structural Issues

Enlarged tonsils, a naturally narrow airway, a large tongue, and a recessed jaw, can lead to airway obstruction during sleep.

Smoking

Smoking increases inflammation. It also leads to fluid retention in the airway. This leads to airway narrowing during sleep.

Alcohol, Sedatives and Muscle Relaxants

Muscle-relaxing substances like alcohol, sedatives, etc, can lead to airway collapse.

Nasal Congestion

Anatomical issues and chronic congestion can lead to difficulty breathing through the nose. This contributes to the development and worsening of sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea Signs and Symptoms

You would have guessed the sleep apnea symptoms after reading this much. Typical symptoms include snoring, gasping, pauses in breaths, etc. Let's explore these in detail:

• Constant snoring is a common symptom. It could be the primary indicator of sleep apnea.
• There are observable moments when breathing stops. Such moments are called pauses. They can last for a few seconds.
• You may awake abruptly due to gasping or choking.
• Excessive sleep and tiredness during the daytime.
• Waking up in the morning with a headache. It could be due to a lack of oxygen and increased carbon dioxide levels.
• Insomnia: Sleep apnea episodes can lead to a lack of quality sleep.
• Lack of sleep can lead to frequent irritability, mood swings and increased emotional stress.
• Tendency to urinate multiple times during the night.
• Dry mouth occurs due to frequent breathing through the mouth.
• Sleep apnea could cause an increased risk of hypertension.

Sleep Apnea Testing

Did you know that you could test sleep apnea scientifically? Yes, thanks to the modern technology. 

You wouldn't be familiar with "Polysomnography (PSG)". It is considered the golden standard in sleep assessment. This section concerns diagnostic sleep apnea methods, including PSG and simple home sleep studies. 

Polysomnography (PSG)

• A sleep study is done comprehensively in a sleep centre or clinic.
• It is about spending a night's sleep in a sleep laboratory.
• You can connect various monitoring devices to your body. And then, you can measure the physical parameters.

Monitoring devices are connected to assess:

• Brain activity
• Eye movements
• Heart rate
• Muscle activity
• Oxygen levels in the blood
• Body position
• Snoring intensity
• Breathing patterns

PSG also allows for the diagnosis of other sleep disorders beyond sleep apnea.

Home Sleep Studies

• It includes portable devices which can be placed at home to assess sleep.
• Often used for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.

It uses a simplified set of monitoring devices to assess:

• Breathing patterns
• Oxygen levels
• Body positions
• Abdominal movements

It is more cost-effective than PSG. Also, it is unsuitable for diagnosing all sleep disorders; it is most efficient in detecting obstructive sleep apnea.

Managing Sleep Apnea

There are some innovative techniques and therapies to manage sleep apnea effectively. It would help if you had a basic idea about these management methods. Let's explore these in detail:

Sleep Apnea Implants

Inspire Therapy 

• Here, your healthcare provider places an implant device in the chest.
• A remote control can activate the device.
• It keeps the airway open by preventing the collapse of the tongue and other soft tissues.
• It stimulates the nerve to control the movements of the tongue and other soft tissues.

Adaptive Servo-Ventilation (ASV)

• It regulates the air delivered to patients based on their unique breathing patterns.
• It monitors the patient's breathing and controls the air pressure support.
• It helps to maintain a stable breathing pattern throughout the night.

Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD)

• These are devices worn inside the mouth during sleep.
• It helps to reposition the lower jaw and tongue during sleep to keep the airway open.
• Used for the treatment of mild to moderate sleep apnea and snoring.

Positional Therapy

• You may experience sleep apnea due to sleeping in certain positions.
• Positional therapy helps to adjust sleep positions to prevent airway obstruction.
• It may include special pillows that help sleep on the side rather than the back.

Lifestyle Changes

• As already discussed earlier, lifestyle habits such as alcohol, smoking, sedatives, etc, can lead to sleep apnea.
• Also, excessive weight can contribute to the risk of sleep apnea.

So, it's important to incorporate lifestyle modifications such as weight loss, regular physical exercise, and avoiding alcohol and sedatives.

Ayurveda Therapies for Sleep Apnea

Ayurvedic therapies focus on promoting health. Its essence is to heal the person as a whole rather than to treat the disease alone. Let's discuss some of the methods mentioned in Ayurveda for preventing and curing sleep apnea.

Shirodhara

• You can pour a stream of lukewarm medicated oil over the forehead from a certain height.
• It stimulates the points over the entire forehead.
• This process calms the central nervous system affected by worries and stress.

Nasya

• The administration of herbal oils, powders, or liquids through your nasal passages.
• The nose is considered the gateway to consciousness.
• It helps lubricate the sinuses.
• It also relieves problems such as dry nasal passages, allergies, snoring, congestion, etc.
• It reduces anxiety, stress, headaches, etc.

Karna Purana

• Pour warm oil into the ears.
• It helps lubricate the ear canal.
• After that, next comes massaging to calm the mind.
• It creates a deep sense of rejuvenation.
• It helps to develop deep stillness.

Abhyanga

• It is one of the most recommended and standard therapies in Ayurveda.
• It involves the use of warm herbal oils for rhythmic massage.
• It relaxes the nervous system, loosen the toxins and provides nourishment.
• It increases blood circulation and calms the lymph system.

Conclusion

Sleep is considered one of the three pillars of life in Ayurveda. It is a vital asset to your overall well-being. You should know the symptoms, causes and treatment options for sleep apnea. Timely diagnosis and apt management can greatly improve your quality of life.

If you or your loved ones experience sleep apnea symptoms, immediately seek advice from your healthcare provider. It ensures a comprehensive and tailored approach to managing this condition. Prioritising your sleep health is fundamental to a healthier and more fulfilling life.