What is sleep apnea and how do you treat it?
Verified by Dr. Harshad Nikte, Consultant ENT, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai and Dr. Rohan Aurangabadwalla, Consultant Pulmonology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai.
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing repeatedly during sleep. This can happen hundreds of times a night. When you stop breathing, your brain briefly wakes you up so that you can start breathing again. This can disrupt your sleep and make you feel tired during the day.
There are two main types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): It is the most common type and occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax and block your airway.
- Central sleep apnea (CSA): It occurs when your brain does not send the signals needed to breathe.
Sleep apnea can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Obesity
- Large tonsils or adenoids
- Narrowed airway due to a structural abnormality
- Smoking
- Alcohol use
- Certain medications
- Sleep disorders such as narcolepsy
The symptoms of sleep apnea can vary, but they may include:
- Loud snoring
- Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Waking up with a dry mouth
- Morning headache
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Depression
- Memory problems
If you think you may have sleep apnea, it is important to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
There are a variety of treatments available for sleep apnea, including:
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy: This is the most common treatment for OSA. A CPAP machine delivers a constant stream of air through a mask that is worn over your nose and mouth. The air pressure helps to keep your airway open during sleep.
- Oral appliances: These devices are worn in the mouth and help to keep the airway open during sleep.
- Surgery: Surgery may be an option for people with OSA who do not respond to other treatments. There are a variety of surgical procedures that can be used to treat OSA, such as removing the tonsils or adenoids, or widening the airway.
If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, it is important to follow your doctor’s treatment plan. Treatment for sleep apnea can help to improve your sleep quality and reduce your risk of health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Here are some lifestyle changes that can help to improve sleep apnea:
- Lose weight if you are overweight or obese.
- Avoid alcohol and sedatives before bed.
- Quit smoking.
- Sleep on your side rather than your back.
- Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool.
Consult our experts, Dr. Harshad Nikte, Consultant ENT, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai and Dr. Rohan Aurangabadwalla, Consultant Pulmonology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai for sleep apnea and all problems related to the ear, nose and throat.
Call 022 6280 6280 for an appointment.