Sleep apnea is a disorder, usually chronic, that causes numerous and brief respiratory arrests during sleep . This alteration is produced by the closure of the upper airway ( nostrils, mouth, pharynx and larynx ) preventing air from reaching the lungs during that time. Along with hypopnea and its partial obstruction of the airways, apnea is part of the well-known sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) and is one of the most common respiratory disorders among the population, although many people are unaware that they suffer from it and it has not been diagnosed.
There are three different variants of sleep apnea depending on the direct causes that cause it : obstructive sleep apnea , caused by the narrowing or blockage of the airways; central sleep apnea , less frequent and produced when the brain does not send the necessary signal to the muscles responsible for breathing; or mixed apnea that combines the two mechanisms described. There are some factors that can increase the risk of suffering from sleep apnea: age, gender (more common in men), being overweight, circumference of the neck and airways, family history or habitual consumption of tobacco, alcohol , tranquilizers or sedatives.
All (or some) of these factors block the airways and prevent normal breathing, which is cut off for a few seconds. When breathing is restored, it causes a loud sound or snoring that usually interrupts sleep, so that the affected person will not enjoy the rest and will wake up drowsy and tired . This lack of sleep will eventually lead to other symptoms such as headache, chest discomfort, insomnia, hypersomnia (daytime sleepiness), attention problems and irritability. It has even been associated with cases of loss of sexual desire.
If this situation is prolonged without giving any treatment, sleep apnea can cause serious health problems due to the lack of oxygen necessary for the proper functioning of the body. The episodes of suffocation increase the risk of hypertension, cardiovascular diseases such as diabetes or stroke, and cause a greater tendency to suffer from depression or anxiety .
To raise awareness and publicize some of the most characteristic features of this disorder, here are 5 little-known truths about sleep apnea :
