Millions of people worldwide suffer from sleep apnea, a severe condition that causes one to stop breathing during sleep. This can lead to several adverse health effects, including fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and even heart problems. Despite its prevalence, many people are unaware of what sleep apnea is or the dangers it poses. In this article, we will explore sleep apnea, how it affects sufferers and those around them, and some available treatment options.

What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is generally a sleep disorder in which people stop breathing at night. The condition occurs when the airway becomes repeatedly blocked during sleep, causing people to wake up frequently and struggle to get back to sleep.

Types of sleep apnea
There are mainly three types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central, and complex sleep apnea syndrome.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type. It develops when your airway becomes blocked during sleep.
Central sleep apnea is less common and occurs when your brain doesn’t send signals to your muscles to breathe.
Complex sleep apnea syndrome is a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.

The causes of sleep apnea
There are many other factors that can contribute to the development of this disorder.

Age
As we get older, our bodies naturally lose muscle and bone mass, which can reduce the size of our airways. This decrease in airflow may be exacerbated by changes in hormone levels or by an increase in neck circumference due to fat accumulation around the neck and jawline.

Genetics
If your parents have sleep apnea, you’re more likely to develop it yourself.

Health conditions
Some health conditions, like GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or asthma, can also cause difficulty sleeping through the night because they make it difficult for people to breathe comfortably.

Symptoms of sleep apnea
If you’re not getting the sleep you need, it can have severe consequences for your health. Here are some of the most usual symptoms of sleep apnea:

Headache
It is a common symptom of sleep apnea because it disrupts blood flow to the brain. It often worsens during periods of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep when dreams occur.

Gasping and snoring
There are other signs that someone is experiencing difficulty breathing while they’re asleep. Snoring usually occurs when air doesn’t reach your lungs promptly during deep sleep; this obstructs airflow and results in noise from the nose and mouth. Essentially, the air is blocked from entering and leaving your lungs during sleep, often because of enlarged tonsils or an obstruction in your throat called a pharynx. The snore becomes louder as the apnea worsens, and it can be disruptive.

Insomnia
It is another sign that something isn’t right with your sleeping habits. People with insomnia struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep for long periods of time, which can lead to fatigue and decreased productivity at work or school.

Hypersomnia
People with severe cases of sleep apnea may also experience excessive daytime tiredness and difficulty concentrating due to a lack of REM (rapid eye movement) slumbering hours. They may also find it difficult to fall asleep at night or stay asleep throughout the night.

Irritability
Sleep deprivation can cause people with the condition to become easily frustrated and angry, especially if they feel like they’re constantly struggling against it.

Treatment options for sleep apnea
Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) uses sensors to detect when you stop breathing and open or close your airway automatically. ASV is effective in treating mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a machine that continuously supplies pressurized air into the sleeper’s nose through a mask worn by the sleeper. This will help prevent snoring and blockages from occurring again.
Supplemental oxygen therapy provides high-flow oxygen directly into the bloodstream through a nasal cannula. It may be recommended for those who do not respond well to CPAP or who cannot tolerate using masks. This therapy is typically used only when other treatments have failed or when someone has severe sleep apnea that necessitates continuous medical attention.