Obstructive Sleep Apnea - Symptoms, Treatment & Causes

Complications of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Common complications associated with obstructive sleep apnea include:

• Increased risk of stroke
• Increased risk of heart failure
• Exacerbated symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Decreased libido
• Increased risk of high blood pressure
• Increased risk of depression
• Weakening of immune system

When should you see a doctor for Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Consistent episodes of obstructive sleep apnea should not be ignored. For men aged over 40, doctors recommend frequent general health check-ups in order to monitor or identify issues that may become problematic in the future. During the consultation, the doctor will ask the patient about their lifestyle, medical history, sleeping patterns & any other problems or concerns the patient may have. In addition to establishing an underst&ing of the patient’s background, basic health checks such as blood pressure may be taken. Similar checks may require the monitoring of your breathing & heartbeat whilst you sleep. This monitoring can either be done at home using a specialist device or by staying in a clinic overnight.

What are the best Home Remedies for Obstructive Sleep Disorder

The most common & effective home remedies & treatments include:

• Use of resting obstruction: Attaching a tennis ball or similar obstruction to sleep-wear can encourage OSA sufferers to sleep on their side, disrupting the natural instinct to rest on your back. Sufferers of severe OSA should avoid sleeping flat on their back due to the increased intrathoracic pressure it causes.
• Lifestyle changes: Losing weight, quitting smoking, managing diabetes, & addressing other OSA risk factors can reduce the severity of obstructive sleep disorder.

What are the best Treatments for Obstructive Sleep Disorder?

• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine: After diagnosis by your doctor, they may prescribe the use of a CPAP machine whilst sleeping. CPAP machines work by blowing air into your airway through the use of a mask, therefore creating & maintaining pressure & preventing the narrowing of the upper airway whilst sleeping. CPAP therapy is considered to be the most effective way to manage severe OSA. Patients using CPAP therapy often report an improved quality of sleep & a reduction in fatigue.
• Use of m&ibular device: Additional, less robust oral devices are available which can assist with some cases of OSA. The use of some discreet oral devices or mouth pieces, which can be modeled & fitted by a specialist, help by physically maintaining an open upper airway.

For a specialist opinion on which treatment is best for you click here.

What is the best way to prevent Obstructive Sleep Apnea

A healthy lifestyle can go a long way to preventing OSA. Alongside regular check-ups, positive lifestyle changes which can help avoid OSA include:

• Stop smoking: The use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes & similar tobacco products are known to increase the amount of fluid retention & inflammation along a smoker’s upper respiratory tract. Quitting smoking can help reduce inflammation & reduce the blockage of the airway whilst sleeping.
• Get moving: Combining regular aerobic exercise with a healthy diet can help aid weight loss & reverse the damages of obesity. Obstructive sleep apnea is especially common in sufferers of obesity due to their excess weight applying increased intrathoracic pressure. Unaddressed obstructive sleep apnea for sufferers of obesity can lead to a myriad of additional complications & in some cases can prove to be fatal.
• Cut out alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption leaves you at a higher risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea. The intoxicative effect of alcohol inhibits the ability to breathe whilst sleeping by relaxing the muscles along the upper respiratory tract causing airways to collapse. Even moderate drinkers may experience episodes of OSA.
• Addressing underlying conditions: Some health conditions or medication can leave you vulnerable to OSA. See your doctor about targeted treatments available to help deal with inadvertent OSA.