What Is Sleep Apnea – A Quick Round up

shutterstock_406063069 (1).jpg

Sleep apnea is the product of an obstruction that happens when the airways are blocked during sleep. This normally occurs when you breathe, the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses. That is why there is a greater risk of having this sleeping condition for overweight individuals or individuals with thick neck circumference. It can become dangerous because without even noticing it, people with sleep apnea stop breathing several times during their sleep. But the silver lining is now you can treat this in sleep clinics in OKC.

The major sleep apnea forms are:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea, the more regular type throat muscle problem

  • Central sleep apnea, which happens when the brain does not give sufficient signals to the breathing control muscles

  • Complex sleep apnea syndrome, also known as rehabilitation, happens if someone gets both obstructive and central sleep apnea.

Is It Hereditary?

Although multiple causes can be the product of demonstrating symptoms of sleep apnea, studies also demonstrate the connection to genetics. Around 25 to 40 percent of people with sleep apnea have family members who have been suffering from this condition for a long time.

The similarities to the facial structure with your family may be one explanation for it. Since sleep apnea is triggered by airway blockage, the physical features you can share with family members, such as the shape of your face and skull, contribute to your risk of sleep apnea.

So if because of their facial structures, your family members have blockage in the airways and thus suffer from sleep apnea, then it is very likely that you too will share the same condition.

The Symptoms

Obstructive and central sleep apnea signs and symptoms overlap, often making it difficult to decide which type you have. The most common symptoms and signs of obstructive and central sleep apnea include the following:

  1. Loud snoring

  2. Periods where you stop breathing in sleep, which another individual might report

  3. Gasping during sleep for oxygen

  4. Awakening from a dry mouth

  5. Headache in the morning

  6. Difficulty staying asleep (sleeplessness)

  7. Excessive sleepiness during the day (hypersomnia)

  8. Difficulty paying heed while awake

  9. Irritability and so on

Other Causes of Sleep Apnea

There are several variables, aside from heredity, that may increase the impact of this disease, such as your diet, weight, sleeping habits, and your daily routine. If you have a sleep apnea family member, then it is strongly advised that you be diligent and consider if you have any signs of the disease. With the reference of time, sleep apnea can be dangerous, thus the remedy must be done as soon as the symptoms are detected.

Sleep apnea is a common sleeping condition, and many individuals suffer from it. Sleep apnea may be acquired by men, women, infants, and even some pets. That's why paying attention to your lifestyle is important and how it impacts your sleeping habits. You may take sleep test as a first step to finding out whether you're at risk of developing sleep apnea from a sleep clinic.

Visit us at OKOA for your sleeping troubles. We treat patients for problems including ENT issues, pediatric ENT, allergy, sinuses and more. If in a problem, visit us.

**Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor's advice, nor does it create any form of patient-doctor relationship.