When we go to bed at night, exhausted from the day’s work, our only desire is for a peaceful sleep. But imagine if that very peaceful sleep of yours becomes a risk to your life? In medical science, it is called a ‘breathing-related sleep disorder’. Currently, this problem is reaching epidemic proportions worldwide due to lifestyle changes and obesity.
Simply put, this disorder is an interruption in the normal breathing process during sleep. People who suffer from this condition experience repeated pauses in their breathing or extremely shallow breathing during sleep. As a result, the body’s oxygen levels drop, and the brain is forced to wake the person so they can resume breathing.These short awakenings completely mess up the deep sleep cycle, even if the person doesn’t know it.
According to mental health experts (per the DSM-IV-TR guidelines), it can be primarily divided into three categories:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA): This is the most common type. It occurs when the throat muscles relax and block the airway.
- Central Sleep Apnoea: It occurs when the brain fails to send the signal to breathe, even though the airway is open.
- Central Alveolar Hypoventilation: This is when breathing is so shallow that the body does not get enough oxygen.
The most prominent symptom of this disorder is extreme daytime sleepiness. Key signs include feeling tired in the morning after a long night’s sleep or suddenly falling asleep while performing tasks. Research has shown that about two-thirds of those affected experience excessive daytime sleepiness, while the remaining one-third suffer from insomnia.
Other symptoms include:
★ Loud snoring (especially in cases of obstructive sleep apnoea).
★ Sudden gasps for air and waking up startled.
★ Morning headaches and a dry mouth.
★ Lack of concentration and irritability.
Statistics suggest that 4 per cent of middle-aged men and 2 per cent of women are affected by this ailment. However, it can also be equally common in children, especially those with enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Obesity is one of the main causes of this condition. As weight increases, fat around the throat puts pressure on the airway, making breathing difficult.Furthermore, older persons are more likely to have “central sleep apnoea,” which is frequently linked to neurological or cardiac conditions.
Many people dismiss this problem as ordinary snoring. But doctors say it is extremely important to get it checked. Typically, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist or a sleep specialist performs a physical examination of the patient. Then a ‘polysomnogram’ (polysomnogram) is used to monitor the patient’s sleep patterns, heart rate, oxygen levels, and brain waves. It confirms the type of sleep disorder the patient is actually suffering from.
For those suffering from this problem due to being overweight, weight loss is key.If weight is lost with a healthy diet and consistent exercise, the condition often goes away on its own.
CPAP therapy is a very successful technique. It maintains an open airway while you sleep; a machine applies air pressure to your nose through a mask. Although it might look a little uncomfortable at first, modern technologies like “BiPAP” and “C-Flex” have significantly increased its level of comfort.
Excess tissue or tonsils can be removed surgically if breathing difficulties are caused by a physical structural defect. Additionally, a type of mouthpiece called a ‘mandibular advancement device’ is also quite effective, as it opens the airway by moving the lower jaw forward.
Doctors advised patients with sleep apnoea to abstain from alcohol and sleeping medications. It is due to the fact that these medications further relax the muscles in the throat, increasing the risk of airway blockage. Additionally, using a pillow correctly or sleeping on your side instead of your back may be beneficial (positional treatment).
Breathing-related sleep disorders are not just a sleep problem; they can lead to long-term depression, high blood pressure, and heart disease. So, if you know someone who snores excessively in their sleep or seems abnormally tired during the day, encourage them to consult a doctor without delay. Awareness can make your night’s sleep peaceful and your life safe.