Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes momentary cessation of breathing due to obstruction of the airways due to relaxation of the pharyngeal muscles.
People with sleep apnea often snore and are unable to have restful sleep, and may also have difficulty concentrating, headache and/or impotence.
Sleep apnea is typically treated with changes in lifestyle habits, such as reducing weight or avoiding smoking, but it can also include the use of specific devices, such as CPAP, which push air into the airways, making breathing easier.
Sleep apnea symptoms
The main symptoms of sleep apnea are:
- Roncar during or are;
- Waking up several times at night;
- Breathing stops or suffocation during sleep;
- Drowsiness and tiredness during the day;
- Waking up often to urinate at night;
- Headache, especially in the morning;
- Lower performance in studies or work;
- Decreased concentration and memory;
- Irritability;
- Reduced libido.
Furthermore, due to sleep apnea, a person may be at greater risk of developing heart problems, such as hypertension and heart attack, and other symptoms may appear, such as chest pain, tiredness and shortness of breath. Check out the main symptoms of heart problems.
If sleep apnea is suspected, it is important to consult an otorhinolaryngologist or general practitioner to confirm the diagnosis and initiate the most appropriate treatment, which may involve the use of apnea devices and, in some cases, surgery.
Read too: Why people snore: 13 causes (and what to do)
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of sleep apnea is made by an otorhinolaryngologist or general practitioner taking into account the symptoms present, physical examination and the results of tests such as polysomnography, which is an exam that can identify changes in a person’s breathing during sleep. Find out how polysomnography is performed.
Use the tool below to make an appointment with your nearest doctor to begin your sleep assessment:
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Causes of sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is caused by a narrowing of the airways when sleeping, especially when the body’s muscles relax, and a decrease in the frequency of breathing that normally occurs during sleep.
Thus, sleep apnea is more common in men over 50 years of age and in cases of adenoid hypertrophy, excess fat in the abdomen, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and use of sedative medications, for example.
Types of sleep apnea
There are 3 main types of sleep apnea, which can be:
- Obstructive sleep apnea: normally occurs due to obstruction of the airways caused by relaxation of the breathing muscles, narrowing and changes in the anatomy of the neck, nose or jaw;
- Central sleep apnea: generally occurs after a disease that causes brain damage and alters your ability to regulate breathing during sleep, such as in cases of brain tumor, stroke or degenerative diseases of the brain;
- Mixed apnea: it is caused by the presence of both obstructive apnea and central apnea, being the rarest type.
Furthermore, sometimes apnea can also be temporary, occurring due to inflammation of the tonsils, tumors or polyps in the region, for example, which can make it difficult for air to pass during breathing.
How the treatment is carried out
Treatment for sleep apnea usually begins with small lifestyle changes depending on the possible cause of the problem. Therefore, when apnea is caused by being overweight, for example, it is recommended to consult a nutritionist to create a nutritional plan that allows you to lose weight, in order to improve breathing.
When sleep apnea is caused or worsened by smoking, it is recommended to stop smoking or reduce the number of cigarettes smoked per day, to avoid inflammation of the airways and facilitate the passage of air.
However, in more serious cases, other forms of treatment may be recommended:
1. Use of CPAP
Devices for sleep apnea, such as CPAP, are similar to an oxygen mask, which pushes air into the lungs, allowing normal breathing, which does not interrupt sleep and allows you to have a more restful sleep. Find out how CPAP works.
However, CPAP can be uncomfortable to use and, therefore, it is common for people to opt for other forms of treatment for apnea.
2. Intraoral appliances
Intraoral appliances are devices that are placed in the mouth during sleep to allow better air passage, and can be especially recommended for people who cannot adapt to or cannot use CPAP.
3. Surgery
Surgical treatment for sleep apnea is generally indicated when other forms of treatment do not work, and it is recommended to try these treatments for at least 3 months.
However, in some cases, the structures of the face need to be changed to correct the problem and, therefore, surgery can be considered as the first form of treatment.
The main types of surgery done to treat this problem include:
- Tissue removal: it is used when there is excess tissue in the back of the throat to remove the tonsils and adenoids, preventing these structures from blocking the air passage or vibrating, causing snoring;
- Chin repositioning: is recommended when the chin is very retracted and reduces the space between the tongue and the back of the throat. This way, it is possible to correctly position the chin and facilitate the passage of air;
- Implant placement: they are an option for tissue removal and help to prevent the soft parts of the mouth and throat from blocking the passage of air;
- Creation of new air passage: It is only used in cases where there is a risk to life and other forms of treatment have not worked. In this surgery, a channel is created in the throat to allow air to pass into the lungs.
Furthermore, all surgeries can be adapted to treat each person’s specific problem, which is why it is very important to discuss all treatment options with your doctor.
Can sleep apnea kill you?
When left untreated, sleep apnea can be fatal, especially in the most severe cases and in people who already have lung and/or heart problems, as it increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, hypertension and vehicle accidents, for example.
Is sleep apnea curable?
Sleep apnea can be cured in some cases, especially when there are treatments for conditions that contribute to airway obstruction, such as obesity, use of sedative medications, allergies, excessive alcohol consumption and adenoid hypertrophy.
Signs of improvement or worsening
Improvement in sleep apnea can be seen through signs such as a reduction in snoring at night, less feeling of tiredness during the day, improvement in headaches and fewer sleep interruptions, which can take up to a few weeks to appear.
Signs of worsening occur when treatment is not carried out correctly and include increased tiredness during the day, waking up several times at night with shortness of breath and intense snoring during sleep, for example.
