The Dangers Of Uncontrolled Sleep Apnea
However, depending on the equipment used, it does not record sleep, or does not record it as accurately as would testing in a sleep laboratory. With OSA, your breathing is repeatedly obstructed or restricted for periods of 10 seconds or longer during sleep. Untreated, OSA may raise your risk for high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, heart arrhythmia or insulin resistance. Several studies have shown an association between sleep apnea and problems like type 2diabetes,strokes,heart attacksand even a shortened lifespan, says Jun.
These breathing pauses typically last between 10 to 20 seconds and can happen from 5 to over 100 times per hour. As a result, obstructive sleep apnea can hurt school performance. Teachers and others may think a child has ADHD or learning problems.
Restlessness during sleep, frequent nighttime awakenings.
Those consequences are even worsened by common morbidities such as obesity. Similarly to adults, OSA in children is linked to a higher risk for cardiovascular morbidities, due to increased sympathetic activity and impaired cardiac autonomic control. Amongst the cardiovascular dysfunctions resulting from OSA, we can find systemic hypertension and blood pressure dysregulation (elevated blood pressure, or variability of the blood pressure for example).
Most devices can be programmed to start slowly and gradually increase air pressure. The goal is to be asleep before the machine reaches your prescribed pressure setting. Most people find this makes falling asleep much easier and more comfortable.
If you have OSA, you usually begin snoring heavily soon after falling asleep. Sleeping on your back can also cause your airway to become blocked or narrowed. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. sleep apnea dentist Weight management and exercise are usually recommended for people with OSA who also have obesity. Brain waves and eye movements tell doctors about the timing of the different phases of sleep.
This keeps your windpipe open and prevents apnea episodes. Some people need to wear dental devices that keep their jaw forward during sleep. If lifestyle changes and devices don't help, surgery may be an option. Untreated sleep apnea, however, may lead to or worsen heart disease.
It also estimated that in middle-age as many as 9% of women and 24% of men were affected, undiagnosed and untreated. There is increasing evidence that sleep apnea may lead to liver function impairment, particularly fatty liver diseases . They’ll check your lungs, heart, and neurological systems to see if you have any common problems related to sleep apnea. Somnoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to reduce the soft tissue in the upper airway. All of those things increase the risk that you can have either atrial or ventricular arrhythmias.
There are many different types of masks available, including ones that cover the full face and ones that cover only the nose. Masks also come in a range of sizes, to accommodate different face shapes. There are also options that allow you to sleep in any position, accommodate glasses, and stay on if you toss and turn.
Many people are told to avoid alcohol, sleeping pills, and other sedatives, which can relax throat muscles, contributing to the collapse of the airway at night. Your doctor will look at your signs and symptoms based on the information you give them. Testing includes an overnight sleep study called a polysomnogram .