Sleep Apnea: The Scary Disease You MUST Know About
Ever heard of sleep apnea? If not, then you will panic if you know how silent killer this disease is. Believe it or not, you may have this disease, but you are not even aware of it. This article talks all about sleep apnea and the common myths around it. So, read this article to clarify everything about this disease. Let’s get started.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a short interruption of breathing while sleeping which could lead to death! It could affect everyone from children to old people irrespective of their ages, but it is common in men. According to statistics, about 18 million American are affected with this sleep disorder.
There are two types sleep apnea:
1. Central Sleep Apnea
2. Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Central Sleep Apnea
Out of the two types, this type is less common. It happens because of inability of the brain to transfer appropriate signals to the muscles for starting the breathing process.
2. Obstructive Sleep Apnea
This type is more common than the first one. The brain keeps sending signals, but air can’t flow into/out of the mouth or nose.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
People affected with this disease have breathing pauses 20–30 times in an hour during sleep. The patient can’t inhale oxygen and exhale carbon di oxide while sleeping, so the brain tries to resume the breathing process which results in a snort or gasp. This process is an obstacle to a sound sleep.
Snoring is common but it is common for everyone. The patient might feel choking sensation as well. The patient might feel headache in the morning and very sleepy all day long. Other symptoms might be dry mouth, sore throat, or concentration problem.
Common Myths About Sleep Apnea
# Children are Free from Danger
Children are innocent, but this disease isn’t. True, 10–20% snoring children are affected by sleep apnea. Isn’t that rate alarming? Yes, it is. Overall, 3% of the children are the victim. So, if your child snore, it’s high time you took him to a pediatrician.
# Only Over-weights are the Victims
Another very common sleep apnea myth. You aren’t over-weight that’s good news as it will save you from many diseases. But sleep apnea isn’t one of them. Well, overweight people are the most vulnerable section according to sleep expert Susheel P. Patil, M.D., Ph.D., but it could be found in people with normal or slightly higher weight.
# Every Snorer Has Apnea
This is another common myth regarding sleep apnea. You can’t mark everyone as a patient if he/she snores; it could be simple snoring, nothing else though it is wise to see a doctor. People with this problem feel tired, dull in the morning. During the day they could feel sleepy, but this is not a hard and fast rule as some people need less sleep than others.
# Every Patient Snores
Snoring is just a strong signal, not a proof like day-light. So, if someone doesn’t snore that could even mean he has the disease! This is really a silent killer. According to stats, 20% of the patients don’t snore. No doubt the rate is high, alarming! Other signals could be dry mouth, headache, or raspy throat. Beware of all signals. If you have any, then consult a doctor as soon as possible.
# Only Men are the Victims
This is not any prostrate disease that only men will be the victim. This is sleep apnea which could attack both men and women. As women snore less loudly than men, it is some time difficult to identify the problem. Passed the menopause? Then you have a higher risk of getting this disease.
# Don’t Be A Doctor
If you are not a doctor, then don’t act like a doctor, because it maximizes the risks of getting any disease. If you snore, you must see a doctor to be sure of the problem. Some symptoms might include lack of concentration, depression, feeling sleepy during meetings or while watching TV or bad temper.
Hope now you have some new ideas about sleep apnea. Be careful about the disease and happy sleeping!
Reference:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/sleep-apnea
