Do you know of a person who regularly stops breathing for a few second to a few minutes and probably snores loudly while such an individual is asleep? Or has someone ever told you that this happens to you during your sleep? If yes, you need to get such an individual or go yourself to see a doctor. Sleep apnea might be setting in.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea refers to a disorder in which the affected individual's breathing is interrupted or shallow breaths occur during sleep. This is not a disorder that can be instantly diagnosed by a doctor and even the affected individual might not be aware of it. All they know is that during the day, they feel less energetic or productive than they ought to be.

Signs And Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea

Like I said earlier, the affected individual might not know that they are exhibiting signs of sleep apnea while asleeep. Hence, one might need to employ the help of a sleeping partner when trying to determine whether or not they have sleep apnea or one might make recordings of them while sleeping. There are several signs that can alert a person to the fact that they might have sleep apnea and some of these signs are listed below:

• Gasping or choking while asleep

• Insomnia

• Frequent urination during the night

• Fatigue and sleepiness during the day

• Impotence

• Morning headaches, et cetera

Types Of Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea can be categorized into three different kinds and they are listed below:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea: This is the most common type of sleep apnea and it is caused when an individual's airway is blocked, especially when the soft tissues which make up the throat collapse as a result of muscle relaxation during sleep.

Picture Source
The picture above shows the airway in the absence of any obstruction during sleep.

Picture Source
This is an inverse of the first picture. It shows an airway which is obstructed during sleep.

• Central Sleep Apnea: This is a form of sleep apnea which the part of the brain that controls respiration become unbalanced during sleep.

• Mixed Apnea : This is a form of apnea which consists of the two previously discussed apnea. An individual might be treated for one only to find that they also have the second type of apnea.

Factors Which Might Predispose An Individual To Sleep Apnea

• Gender: Males stand a much higher chance of developing Sleep Apnea

• Small size of jaw bone

• Excessive weight

• Consumption Of alcohol

• Smoking

• Presence of heart disorders

• Stroke

• Gastroesophageal reflux

• Presence of large tonsils, et cetera

Steps Taken To Prevent Or Reduce The Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea

In order to reduce the risk of having sleep apnea, an individual should

• Avoid consuming alcohol

• Quit Smoking

• Maintain a regular sleep cycle

• Avoid the consumption of alcihol

• Engage in regular exercises

Options Employed In The Treatment Of Sleep Apnea

• Surgery

• Neurostimulation

• Use of medications

• Dental devices

• Use of Sleep apnea implants

• Use of Breathing Devices

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TEXT SOURCE

• https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sleepapnea/

• https://www.helpguide.org/articles/sleep/sleep-apnea.htm

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_apnea

• https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/sleep-apnea