How Dangerous is Sleep Apnea?

How Dangerous is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition that occurs when your breathing is interfered with when sleeping. This condition is most common in men who are over 40 years of age. Sleep apnea changes how you breathe where you stop breathing many times when you are sleeping. When you stop breathing, you eventually suffer from oxygen insufficiency in your brain and body. Insufficient oxygen supply in your brain, may cause temporary memory and confusion. Severe sleep apnea can cause suffocation, which can lead to death. For treatment and management of sleep apnea disorder, consult sleep apnea in Huntington Beach. Below are the significant types of sleep apnea.

The primary types of sleep apnea

There are three types of sleep apnea which are:

  •       Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when some soft tissues found at the back of your throat block the airway when you fall asleep.
  •       Central sleep apnea. When the airline is blocked, the brain fails to send a message to the nerve responsible for unblocking the airways. It is not very common, but when it emerges, it is good to seek immediate treatment.
  •       Complex sleep apnea syndrome. It is another type of sleep apnea. This disease is also called treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, and it is a combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Below are the symptoms associated with sleep apnea.

 Symptoms  that show you are suffering from sleep apnea

There are several signs and symptoms that you can observe to tell the presence of sleep apnea. However, differentiating between the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea can be difficult.  The most common symptoms include sudden cough after realizing that your airway is blocked, waking up when your mouth is dry, waking up many times, difficulties in getting sleep, and loud snoring. Below are the risk factors that may promote the occurrence of sleep apnea.

Risk factors that can lead to sleep apnea

There are many factors that can be associated with promoting the occurrence of sleep apnea. These factors include:

  •       Being male. Men are likely to have sleep apnea more than women. Women who are overweight and in menopause may develop sleep apnea.
  •       Age. Old adults are likely to develop sleep apnea during their 60s and above. However, not all older adults develop apnea.
  •       Genetic. If your family develops sleep apnea, you are likely to get it. It is caused by inherited genes within family members.
  •       Being overweight. If you have obesity, you are at risk of getting sleep apnea. The presence of fat around your throat may block your airway.
  •       Narrow airway. You may have a narrow throat where the tonsils block your breathing.

Sleep apnea is a disorder that affects your breathing when sleeping. This disease is commonly found in men who are over 40 years. Overweight women and those who have reached menopause may be affected by sleep apnea. It is vital to seek treatment for sleep apnea since it can cause brain malfunction.

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