Sleep is the best remedy for fatigue, the possibility for us to spread information on the shelves, to regain strength and more many different useful features for our organism. But is sleeping completely? Do unpleasant surprises await us on the road and in the realm of Morpheus?
In this article we will not talk about the psychological and moral impact and influence. A will address the subject of physiological abnormalities. In particular, let’s talk about a problem that a huge number of people struggle with and that can cause enough damage to our health.
Apnea if translated from Greek means "no breath." This is quite a serious problem, in which for a while breathing stops completely. The result is that in the organism is formed an overabundance of carbon dioxide and lack of oxygen. As a result of oxygen starvation, the body is under stress; and in it take place undesirable to its normal work processes.
There are three types of apnea: central, obstructive and mixed.
- In the first case our brain is to blame; it ceases to give signals to the breathing muscles
- Obstructive (OSA) occurs due to small clogging of airways
- Mixed includes both of the above-described type
Very often we don’t really remember how we slept and clearly have no idea how we breathe at that time. But apnea may be repeated several times during the night. As a result, the next day we have daytime sleepiness, increased irritability, frequent headaches. And we can’t guess that the culprit of all this may be our breathing, or rather its short-term, but periodic stops.
So, as we have said symptoms of apnea could be drowsiness, irritability, headache, this can be attributed to the so-called daytime symptoms, what can be observed during the day.
At night symptoms may be things like snoring, teeth grinding, hypnagogic hallucinations.
Snoring is a symptom of apnea. We need to talk about this one in more details as many people do not take it serious. So keep the following in mind. Snoring is typical for many men and it is not uncommon for women, especially in the elderly age; sometimes even little kids snore. This, unpleasant for those around, phenomenon is harmless to the sleeper: snoring is an unconscious reaction to a very dangerous phenomenon stopping breathing during sleep.
While we are sleeping, the implementation of the next inhalation happens with a time delay; if the delay is more than 10 seconds, you can speak of a syndrome of apnea.
Who is at risk? Such people are many.
These are elderly people; their muscles are weakened due to age, also obese people and those who abuse alcohol or drugs. Also risk group includes people with nasal deformities, or those who has a medical condition of the respiratory system.
The main risk of OSA is hypoxia lack of oxygen.
When the flow of the air stops, the oxygen level in the blood is gradually reduced, sometimes to a critical level. And those who sleep next to a person suffering from sleep apnea can see how much the ill was snoring, and then abruptly fell silent and stopped breathing. The spectacle is not for the faint hearted.
Apnea in children
Unfortunately, this problem is not alien for newborns.
In neonates this condition is characterized by absence of respiratory movements after birth and is associated with some excess of oxygen in the blood. It can often occur in preterm, those who were born before week 34 because breathing normalization takes place on 40-42 weeks from the moment of conception.
In kids older than one year is most frequently observed OSA. For infants under 1 is more typical the central type. In the children's apnea breathing could be delayed by up to 20 seconds and could be seen skin blueness, then after a sharp sobbing the child's breathing is restored. At the greatest risk are premature babies, children with Down syndrome and those who have had infectious illnesses.
Although the tragic outcome in children's apnea occurs very rarely, associated with this condition the sudden death syndrome is ranked third in the structure of deaths in infants. Generally, sleep apnea is detected in maternity wards, during a special diagnosis. These babies need to be examined by a pulmonologist or a sleep apnea doctor. In most cases, to stimulate the baby's breaths is enough to touch or slightly and very carefully sake him.
However, in complex cases, the parents of such a toddler should master the techniques of cardio-pulmonary ventilation, as well as to have in the house special equipment. In case of persistent apnea in a child they need to start ventilation immediately and ask any of the present to call the emergency number. If the mother is alone with her baby, she must perform cardio-pulmonary ventilation for at least two minutes; then call an ambulance and continue rescue activities until the doctors’ arrival, or as long as the baby starts breathing independently.
How to deal with apnea?
Doctors have long been aware of this problem and have developed methods of diagnosis and determining the presence of the illness.
To do this, use electroencephalography (verification of the brain function), electrocardiography (test of the heart), pneumotachograph (checking of the respiratory system) and other surveys.
To get rid of apnea, or to minimize its impact on the organism, should be excluded the factors that influence its occurrence. These factors we have already mentioned and they include alcohol, overweight, tobacco, not active lifestyle during wakefulness.
Many methods of reducing signs of apnea can also be used independently. Very useful are exercises to strengthen the muscles of the soft palate for example, well known in hatha yoga asana "lion posture." It is necessary to train yourself to sleep on your side it is recommended to sew to the night clothes a pocket at the level of the blades and at night to lay a tennis ball in it. A useful tool is a high cushion specially shaped and the raised headboard. If sleep apnea linked to airway deformation, a plastic surgery could necessary.
In severe cases of apnea CPAP therapy is performed, in which in the airways of the sleeper is created a slight positive pressure using a special mask and compressor, this should prevent their narrowing. Such a device should be selected in a medical hospital and can subsequently be used at home. On sale you can find a variety of devices that prevent snoring, it is possible that some of them will be useful to you. The main rule is to consult the specialist prior to buying any apnea drugs.
And remember, if you do not pay timely attention to the development of this condition, it can lead to tragic outcomes.