Sleep Apnea Treatment

The health and well-being of a person directly depend on the quality of sleep. A good night’s rest affects the body’s ability to withstand stress and appearance.

A dangerous condition, such as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, is a consequence of snoring and is accompanied by respiratory arrest at night. A person who suffers from this can have up to 400 cases of sleep apnea. As a result, systematic headaches occur, weakness and drowsiness begin to bother, concentration decreases, and performance decreases. All this is just part of the manifestations that a sleep-deprived patient faces.

Sleep apnea syndrome - what is it? →

At the time of sleep, when the relaxed muscles of the pharynx are significantly narrowed, all conditions begin to be created to block the airways and stop breathing. Subsequently, the body begins to lack oxygen, which affects the work of the heart and brain.

As a result of apnea, breathing stops for 10 seconds or more. Oxygen starvation of the brain leads to increased stress levels and increased production of cortisol. To restore breathing, the brain tries to wake up the body and causes spasms in the pharynx muscles. Breathing is fixed, but the situation repeats itself when the person again plunges into the deep phase of sleep.

A person with a chronic lack of sleep must systematically consume food to replenish vitality. If a person does not have quality sleep, the body reduces the production of growth hormone, which is responsible for burning fat. As a result, there is rapid weight gain, and losing weight becomes very problematic.

Fat deposited in the neck contributes to an even more significant narrowing of the respiratory pathways and the progression of apnea syndrome. Only a certified specialist can cope with a vicious circle and cure pathology.

Factors in the appearance of the syndrome are incorrect processes of brain activity. It can be injuries or hereditary predispositions. The anatomical features of the structure of the nasopharynx also play a role.

The most common cause of apnea is snoring. As a rule, a similar symptom occurs due to obesity and overweight. Among the causes of sleep apnea are alcohol abuse and smoking.

With age, the likelihood of sleep apnea in adults increases significantly.

Apnea in children →

Holding breath in adults with apnea lasts no more than 20 seconds, which is normal. But in a child, such cases should last up to 10 seconds. The symptom does not act as an independent pathology but results from existing health problems.

Sleep apnea in children occurs in about 2% due to different reasons. The syndrome can result from pathologies such as anemia, epilepsy, excess weight, allergic manifestations, etc.

Apnea syndrome in children can be felt during a night’s rest and wakefulness. This manifestation is a common cause of death in apnea in children under one-year-old.

Premature babies are automatically at risk for cases of night breathing delays. The structure of the nasopharynx, various injuries, and genetics also have an influence.

Parents must be alerted by such signals as excessive weakness, loss of strength, psychological development problems, growth lag, and weight gain.

Even rare night breath holdings have a terrible effect on the child’s general health, so it is essential to see a doctor on time and treat apnea syndrome.

Treatment of apnea →

To get rid of a dangerous syndrome, different techniques are used. They are divided into primary and additional. The latter involves a lifestyle change: getting rid of bad habits, correcting nutrition, and using special devices during sleep.

One of the possible treatments for snoring and sleep apnea is the use of so-called oral applicators. This apnea treatment is carried out at home and may be effective in patients with mild forms of the disease. Such a device is made individually by an experienced dentist Aesthetic Dental and only in this case can it lead to the desired result.

Some patients with snoring and relatively mild sleep apnea may be recommended surgical treatment. It aims to expand the lumen of the airways through surgery and eliminate the existing prerequisites for their blockage during sleep.

The technique of laser exposure uvulopalatoplasty allows you to forget about cases of apnea and improve the patient’s quality of life.

Timely prescribed proper treatment radically improves the quality of life and eliminates the risk of sleep apnea and dangerous cardiovascular complications. Sleep becomes refreshing again, and life becomes complete.

FAQ

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a disease based on the closure of the upper respiratory tract due to a decrease in the tone of soft tissues. The optimal treatment method today is CPAP therapy, which does not provide surgical intervention.

No. But, for patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, an increase in adipose tissue in the larynx entails narrowing the airways. Therefore, weight loss in combination with therapy is one of the steps to reduce the symptoms and severity of sleep apnea and improve breathing parameters.

Sleeping on your side is a good solution for patients with snoring and apnea. In this position, the relaxed soft structures’ trajectory shifts slightly, creating minimal resistance to breathing.

Try sleeping on your side. In some patients with early sleep apnea, breath-holding occurs only when they sleep on their backs. If you find giving up your usual sleeping position challenging, use pillows and rollers for greater comfort.

Open your mouth and make circular movements with your lower jaw in one direction and then in the opposite direction. Alternately stretch the sounds [ i ] and [ u ] while straining the neck muscles. Repeat the exercises at least ten times.