Sleep apnea it stops breathing for more than 10 seconds during sleep. Apnea can be caused by many factors, such as the muscles of the airways, which relax so much during the deep stages of sleep that almost all muscle tone is lost and the airways close. As the airways relax and close, snoring can occur, which will intensify until the complete airway obstruction. Obstruction of the airways leads to apnea or hyponesia. (Hyponea is the medical term for shallow breathing).
As soon as apnea or hypona begins 3 factors that affect the quality of sleep.
- Reduced oxygen levels sometimes abruptly due to lack of air.
- Heart rate by increasing levels of carbon dioxide and low oxygen levels.
- These reasons waking up or changing sleep stages , Excitations can be short or long, and snoring does not know that this is happening. These awakenings can occur hundreds of times at night. At each awakening, the brain “wakes up” for a short time, and a person is taken from deep sleep to a bright or waking scene. This can happen again and again, not allowing the sleeper to get the restful sleep they need. A sleeping person must go into deep sleep several times during the night to get the rest they need.
Sleep apnea can cause severe physiological damage indirectly, forcing the heart to work so hard at night and, thus, predisposing the patient to high blood pressure, heart arrhythmias, heart attack and stroke.
Below are some of the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea:
- loud snoring - waking up, not refreshed after a full night of sleep
- panting and / or panting at night
- pause in breathing> 10 seconds
- sleep while watching tv or driving
- high blood pressure
- irritability
- depression / anxiety
- frequent nightly wakes / trips to the bathroom
- daytime fatigue / fatigue
If any of the above sounds are familiar to you or a loved one, you should consult your doctor or registered respiratory therapist on further testing for sleep apnea screening. Simple home testing available. For more information about snoring, sleep apnea and sleep apnea treatment, please visit www.irscanada.ca
