If you’ve ever had issues falling asleep, then you know how debilitating it can be. Losing a proper night’s rest can mess up your entire day. And if the problem is continual, then it will affect your everyday life. Sleep apnea can be a dangerous sleep disorder as it relates to an individual whose breathing regularly is disrupted during the night. If you snore and you consistently are fatigued even after eight hours of sleep, you may suffer from sleep apnea.
Some of the main types of sleep apnea are obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea and complex sleep apnea syndrome. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the muscles of the back of your throat to relax, narrowing or closing your airway. As your oxygen supply is limited, you are aroused enough so that you can get enough air. You may choke, cough or snort many times during the night, which hinders your sleep. Central sleep apnea is not as common, but happens when your brain doesn’t communicate with your breathing muscles, which means that you are not breathing for a short amount of time. When someone struggles with both of these disorders, they suffer from complex sleep apnea syndrome.
Who is at risk for this potentially dangerous disorder? Those at risk are more commonly older individuals. Central sleep apnea, in particular, is more common in men than it is in women. For those who suffer from congestive heart failure or who have recently had a stroke, developing a sleep apnea disorder is common. If you use narcotic pain medications, especially long-acting drugs, increases your risk as well. Those at risk for obstructive sleep apnea are those who are overweight, having a thicker neck, smoking or if you have difficulty breathing through your nose. This sleep disorder also is more common in men, but also affects older individuals. If someone in your family has had obstructive sleep apnea, you are also at a greater risk.
For those who suffer from sleep apnea, complications are to be expected. Daytime fatigue is one of these complications. You may experience severe daytime drowsiness, irritability, trouble concentrating or even falling asleep while at work. Over time, you can develop heart issues or high blood pressure, as sudden drops in oxygen levels can increase blood pressure as well as cause issues with your cardiovascular system. Sleep apnea can also cause Type Two Diabetes, metabolic syndrome or liver problems. Aside from these problems that can arise, you may also be keeping your partner awake at night due to your snoring.
If you are experiencing drowsiness, irritability and snoring loudly, you may be dealing with a sleep disorder. Check with your doctor if you believe that you have symptoms related to sleep apnea.
