Sleep apnea refers to the periodic and repetitive obstruction of the upper airway (including the nasopharynx and pharynx) during sleep, causing intermittent or interrupted breathing, leading to intermittent hypoxia. After a period of breath cessation, there is a sudden brief blockage or a gasp, which often results in noticeable snoring during sleep.
In severe cases, it can even cause complete airway blockage and suffocation, affecting the sleep quality of both the patient and their bed partner.
Causes of Sleep Apnea
Most people experience sleep apnea due to obesity-induced airway narrowing or insufficient muscle tone in the airway, making it prone to collapse. Some patients also suffer from sleep apnea due to enlarged tonsils, which narrow the airway.
Types of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can be classified into three types: obstructive, central, and mixed, with obstructive being the most common:
1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea
This type is caused by the obstruction of the airway by soft tissues in the pharyngeal area, leading to a narrowing or complete blockage of the upper airway, which in turn triggers snoring and breathing pauses. Approximately 90% of patients have obstructive sleep apnea.
2. Central Sleep Apnea
This occurs when there is a problem with the nervous system, causing the breathing muscles to not receive signals from the brain, leading to an inability to perform proper breathing movements and thus cessation of breathing. This usually occurs in patients who have experienced strokes, trauma, or other neurological problems affecting the brain.
3. Mixed Sleep Apnea
This type involves the presence of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
High-Risk Groups for Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is more common in men, individuals over 40, those with a large neck circumference, obese individuals, postmenopausal women, people with high blood pressure, or those with abnormal upper airway structures (including deviated nasal septum, enlarged turbinates, nasal polyps, elongated uvula, enlarged tonsils, or enlarged tongue base). Smokers, heavy drinkers, and those who frequently use sleeping pills or sedatives may also be at higher risk. Clinically, there have been cases of sleep apnea triggered by taking Viagra.
Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Suffering from sleep apnea not only affects sleep at night but can also impact daytime activities. If you experience any of the following symptoms, they may be related to sleep apnea, and further medical evaluation is recommended:
Daytime: Chronic fatigue, low energy, headaches, drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, tinnitus.
Nighttime: Insomnia or light sleep, vivid dreams, abnormal snoring, interrupted sleep, frequent urination, feeling unrested.
Are there dangers associated with sleep apnea?
The symptoms of sleep apnea vary in severity depending on individual body type, age, and gender. If the problem is ignored long-term, it can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke, and in severe cases, even sudden death. This should not be taken lightly. The dangers include the following:
1. Daytime sleepiness, leading to difficulty concentrating for extended periods, resulting in low work efficiency, and even causing car accidents or fatalities due to falling asleep while driving.
2. Experiencing angina, myocardial infarction, or stroke during sleep, or even sudden death while sleeping.
3. Developing obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, arrhythmias, or heart failure at a young age.
4. Sudden or accelerated memory decline, possibly linked to early-onset dementia.
5. Changes in personality (such as anxiety, insomnia, irritability, restlessness), or even developing depression or insomnia.
6. Decreased libido leading to sexual dysfunction.
7. Nocturia (frequent urination at night).
8. Abnormal limb movements at night, such as sleepwalking, sleep talking, and nightmares.
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