Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common and devastating sleep disorders out there. This form of sleep disease severely hampers the sleeping pattern of people and results in them experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness frequently.
OSA creates a wide array of problems which includes:
- Loss in overall stamina
- Difficulty in breathing
- Inconsistency in sleep
- Vulnerability to dangerous diseases
Like every other illness, it’s best to identify obstructive sleep apnea syndrome early and administer treatment immediately.
Go through our article to find the conditions and treatment options for this sleep disorder to improve your sleep quality and enjoy a healthier life.
Causes of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Multiple factors can lead to the development of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. The following are some of the most common causes.
1. Obesity
Putting on excess weight is one of the major causes of obstructive sleep apnea. Overweight people are the most prone to this illness as the fat that develops in their neck blocks the upper airway.
The difficulty in breathing results in them having sleep-disordered breathing.
2. Alcoholism
Leading a life with a lack of a balanced diet is also a leading cause of obstructive sleep apnea. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to its development, which is lethal when paired with high blood pressure.
Like any sleep-related breathing disorder, quality of life in terms of meals is an indicator of this illness.
3. Smoking Tobacco
Smoking too much can also cause sleep apnea. Since this habit directly affects the airways and lungs of the human body, it’s one of the most common reasons behind moderate OSA.
Tobacco smoke also causes nasal congestion, making passive smokers a prime target for this disease too. In short, anything that causes your throat to narrow down and build air pressure can result in obstructive sleep apnea.
The body will constantly strive to prevent continuous positive airway pressure, thus waking you up every now and not letting your muscle relax. Thus, it causes daytime sleepiness by extension.
Who Is at Risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Multiple demographics are actually prone to get affected by sleep apnea. Anyone who doesn’t maintain a balanced quality of life has a high chance of becoming diagnosed with it.
Even old age can result in some people suffering from moderate obstructive sleep apnea. So, it’s vital to be in peak health throughout one’s life to minimize the chances of it happening to you.
People affected by certain illnesses are also prone to obstructive sleep apnea. Among them, type 2 diabetes is the most noteworthy one.
This disease causes many issues, among which sleep disorders are one of them. It also dramatically increases the chances of blood pressure fluctuation, which multiplies the chances of severe OSA.
Those who have a family history of obesity are also at an increased risk of being exposed to OSA. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs among chubby folks more as their upper airway is more congested due to fat accumulation.
Controlling one’s body mass index is crucial to avoid this illness. It will also reduce the chances of heart failure simultaneously, allowing you to sleep peacefully.
Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
There are multiple ways in which you can identify obstructive sleep apnea before it sets into your body. Various symptoms can be noticeable from the start if you remain vigilant. Some of the most notorious symptoms are as follows.
1. Drowsiness
Excessive daytime sleepiness is the most notable one. If you feel tired even after sleeping through the night, then there’s a high chance you are suffering from mild or moderate OSA.
2. Loud Snoring
Snoring loudly is one of the most common obstructive sleep apnea symptoms. Use a recorder or ask your bed partner to monitor you once you fall asleep to identify it.
If you can detect it, then it’s best to rush to a hospital or sleep center to begin treatment immediately. OSA patients often use sleep medicine to prevent it, which is a counterproductive measure in this regard.
3. Lack of Proper Sleep
The inability to sleep properly is a noticeable symptom of sleep apnea in adults. It’s also common among patients suffering from central sleep apnea, resulting in headaches during the morning.
Consult a sleep specialist if you’ve been facing such an issue for a long time. There might be a chance that you’re affected by this illness.
4. Mental Health Issues and Low Libido
Lastly, mood swings and low libido are also probable symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. Simply undergoing a physical exam is not enough to know whether you’re safe from sleep apnea.
Thus, it’s also essential that you take care of your mental health to be immune to this disease.
Risk Factors
Various kinds of people are prone to obstructive sleep apnea in adults. Firstly, male humans are most likely to suffer from this disease.
The risk factors tend to multiply as they grow old. Those who have a habit of consuming alcohol and tobacco are in greater danger of suffering from severe obstructive sleep apnea.
Regarding genetics, OSA patients are more common among the African, Native American, and Hispanic communities.
Even if you don’t fall under this bracket, there is still a chance of this disease affecting you if obstructive sleep apnea is present in your family history. The presence of diabetes is also eligible as a risk factor in this regard.
Treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Untreated OSA can cause a lot of discomfort, ruining a person’s lifestyle. Therefore, you must know about the treatment options to cure yourself of this disease quickly.
Below are a few mentionable treatment methods for this malady.
1. Diet Control
Weight loss is one of the most effective methods in this case. Exercising regularly and maintaining a proper diet is the best way to achieve it. Surgical treatment is also effective for losing body weight.
2. Abstaining Bad Habits
Many people resort to consuming sleeping pills and alcohol in the hopes of treating obstructive sleep apnea. However, it does more harm than good, creating atrial fibrillation and lowering the body’s immunity.
Refraining from alcohol and tablets will improve upper airway resistance. Seek appropriate treatment if you have developed an addiction to such substances.
3. CPAP therapy
Among the medical procedures that are ideal for treating OSA patients, CPAP therapy is a popular option. Using it provides a steady stream of oxygen through the nose, perfect for relieving air pressure from the upper airway.
The soft tissues and muscles are also prevented from relaxing, making it an excellent surgical therapy for obstructive sleep apnea.
4. Surgery
Undergoing surgical treatment in the nose is another method for dealing with obstructive sleep apnea. Although expensive and time-consuming, it is more reliable than most alternatives.
Furthermore, it also helps decrease daytime sleepiness. However, it’s best to visit a sleep clinic before deciding to undergo surgery.
5. Oral Appliance Therapy for OSA
Mild OSA patients often suffer from this illness simply because an oversized throat is obstructing their neck. However, it can easily be solved through the oral appliance.
In such cases, the issue is not as severe as the average obstructive sleep apnea.
Oral appliances are a simple procedure that can solve mild cases of OSA. It’s a form of positional therapy which helps reposition the tongue and bring the lower jaw forward.
This method is done by inserting a plastic mechanism into the mouth. Users must wear it for a certain amount of time to help adjust their facial muscles and stop sleep apnea.
6. Lifestyle and Home Remedies
Although many do not consider them seriously, home remedies are very useful for curing obstructive sleep apnea. Including various organic dishes in your diet can help you sleep better at night and improve your digestive system.
Honey, lemon, and cinnamon are some meal ingredients that can significantly solve this illness. Bringing a change to one’s lifestyle can significantly reduce the chances of obstructive sleep apnea.
Working out regularly and eating a nutritious meal daily can go to great lengths in preventing this disease. Changing your lifestyle is undoubtedly a more inexpensive method of treatment in comparison to the sleep center.
Furthermore, letting go of addictions like cigarettes and alcohol is also helpful.
Alternative Treatment Methods
Technology and medicine are improving daily, and no one is more innovative than sleepapneatreatment.com on the front of OSA.
Our Vivos method is unique in the line of obstructive sleep apnea treatment. The unique mouthpiece comfortably fits into the soft palate and works overnight to help you eliminate this disease.
Unlike regular obstructive sleep apnea treatment methods, the Vivos technique has an element of intelligence that adjusts according to the user. There are no risks of facial deformation while administering it, which is a hazard with many alternatives.
Furthermore, it understands the level of OSA someone is experiencing and customizes treatment intensity accordingly.
OSA patients will find a lot of comfort in using them while undergoing treatment through the Vivos device. Unlike most tools, each of our units is manufactured according to the user’s facial structure.
Furthermore, the process is not rushed; it’s relatively painless and provides stellar results within 18 months. Once the treatment is complete, no after-effects are left in the body from OSA.
Unlike other alternatives, it eliminates all symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea while providing positive airway pressure. Furthermore, it has zero adverse effects, unlike other surgical treatments.
Home Sleep Apnea Testing?
Home testing is another noteworthy service that we here at sleepapneatreatment.com provide. Although most online medical services and telemedicine providers can be a hassle to communicate with, you won’t find any such problems with us.
Our website features a 24/7 live chat option that lets you get in touch with our professionals conveniently. We also have a hotline set up for scheduling appointments over voice call in a hassle-free manner.
Risks of Leaving Sleep Apnea Untreated
Ignoring sleep apnea can have horrible effects that can harm your productivity and basic everyday functioning capabilities. Furthermore, it also accelerates the chances of lethal illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.
Blockage in the upper airway leads to the human brain being on constant alert, draining your energy. Leaving obstructive sleep apnea untreated can make your body lethargic since it’s always on edge.
Your body will become tired more quickly than usual due to your inability to rest properly. It also harms your liver horribly over time and can lead to medical complications in the future.
Therefore, getting some treatment and receiving bilevel-positive airway pressure is best to stay in positive shape.
Conclusion
Obstructive sleep apnea is a complex disease with many underlying threats. However, it’s easily curable. Therefore, it’s best to seek medical help as soon as you are able to diagnose it.
It’s certainly better than spending the night watching TV, hoping that sleep overcomes you soon. Leaving this illness untreated is the equivalent of welcoming all sorts of life-threatening diseases into your body.
Now that you have gone through our article, you know about all your treatment options. However, it’s best to get in touch with the experts at sleepapneatreatment.com for a professional opinion on the matter.
Soon enough, you will be able to breathe and sleep easier with grace.
