What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea comes in two different fundamental types. While Central Sleep Apnea is a neuromuscular disease brought on by a delay in the brain’s signal to breathe, Obstructive Sleep Apnea is brought on by an obstruction of the airway in the throat. The most typical sign of both forms of sleep apnea is loud, excessive snoring.
How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
The best approach to find out if you have sleep apnea is to have a polysomnogram, a type of overnight sleep study recommended by your doctor. Your doctor can choose the most appropriate course of therapy for you based on the findings of your sleep study, which will reveal whether you have sleep apnea.
What are some risk factors for sleep apnea?
Several factors can increase the risk of developing OSA. Some are hereditary; others result from age and/or lifestyle.
- Obesity: approximately two-thirds of people with OSA are overweight or obese
- Family history of OSA or snoring
- Small lower jaw and certain other facial configurations
- Gender: men are twice or three times as likely as premenopausal women to have obstructive sleep apnea.
- Post-menopausal (for women)
- Large neck circumference
- Large tonsils
- Alcohol consumption at bedtime
- Hypothyroidism (low levels of thyroid hormone)
- Acromegaly (high levels of growth hormone)
Snore
What is a snore?
During sleep, snoring is noisy breathing. The uvula and soft palate at the back of the throat and the base of the tongue vibrate when airflow is disturbed by a restricted airway. While not the traditional definition of a snore, whistling or popping noises can also be produced by a clogged nose.
Is snoring a problem?
If your snoring interferes with your ability to sleep or that of your partner, or if it poses a risk of developing into obstructive sleep apnea, it needs to be addressed. The scientific community is divided on the issue of whether non-apneic, frequent snoring is physically detrimental.
Why do you snore?
Various circumstances, which vary from person to person, contribute to snoring. The most frequent causes of snoring include:
- Excess weight
- Turning over in bed
- Opening your mouth while sleeping
- Alcohol and cigarette smoking
- Blocking one’s nose