Have you ever had trouble breathing while you sleep? Do you find yourself gasping for air in the middle of the night? If this is something you can relate to chances are you might have sleep apnea! If you suffer from this you know how terrible it can feel and you might want to get it checked. There are actually three different types of sleep apnea and the disorder itself is quite common but can range in severity. It often goes undiagnosed because people do not really understand what they’re experiencing. Here’s what you need to know about sleep apnea and its types.
Sleep Apnea often goes undiagnosed because most people don’t understand what’s happening to them| Pexels.com
What is Sleep Apnea?
It is a condition in which a person’s breathing stops at least five times an hour during sleep. There are several reasons why this may occur but one reason is the collapsing of your airway. This is called obstructive sleep apnea and it is the most common type. This can also mix with other types like central sleep apnea and mixed sleep apnea. So chances are you might have one of these as well as obstructive. While sleep apnea in itself isn’t very dangerous, if left untreated it can lead to cardiovascular disease and other heart related issues like high blood pressure and reduced oxygen flow to organs. It is important to understand what time of sleep apnea you may have. Keep reading to find out.
Sleep Apnea can be dangerous if left untreated| Pexels.com
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
When the upper airway collapses during sleep, Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs. It can collapse either partially or fully and happens repeatedly throughout the night. During this, the diaphragm and chest muscles have to work harder to open the airways. Breathing will usually begin again after a jerk or loud gasp. Some people will experience oxygen desaturation which is when the percentage of oxygen in the bloodstream drops. Change in breathing affects the level of blood flow your body is getting and it can cause your breathing to be hindered.
Most people are living with obstructive sleep apnea because it’s often undiagnosed| Pexels.com
A lot of people live with obstructive sleep apnea but the total number is not known as it usually goes undiagnosed. Research shows that around 20% people live with it and the prevalence has increased over time. It is more common amongst people with specific risk factors like obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, narrowed airways and chronic nasal congestion. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is more common amongst men than women. It is also common amongst post-menopausal women.
