Sleep is a basic human need. If you suffer from sleep apnea and consequently sleep a lot less, this can be a big problem. What is sleep apnea and how many people suffer from it? How dangerous is it and what can you do about it? We explain.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition where you temporarily stop breathing during sleep. Which lasts at least 10 seconds and occurs several times per hour, from 5 to sometimes even 50 times per hour. It affects around 1 in 100 people, and you can even have sleep apnea without realizing it. Men between the ages of 45 and 65 suffer from it more often on average, but it is also a common problem among women.
How does sleep apnea develop?
It can arise in 2 different ways, through physical or neurological failure. In the 1st case, the airways are blocked, for example due to the tongue or tonsils. This makes the breath stop and there it is Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). But it can also happen that your brain cannot control the respiratory muscles. Even then there is no breathing, although the airways are free. We call it Central sleep apnea (CSA).
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What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
If you snore and / or have a restless sleep, this could be an indication of sleep apnea. Additionally, there are several physical discomforts that can occur in combination with sleep apnea, such as being overweight, high blood pressure, and night sweats. The same is true for physical and mental ailments such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and depression. Sleep apnea can be the underlying cause of these types of discomfort.
What are the effects of sleep apnea?
If you suffer from sleep apnea, you sleep irregularly and you may suffer from a lack of oxygen, with all its consequences. You may wake up multiple times, you may not notice it, but you are not rested when you wake up. Sleep is important to us, and the consequences can be serious if you don’t get enough sleep for an extended period of time. Think tiredness, trouble concentrating, lack of energy or even heart arrhythmias.
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How can you find out if you have sleep apnea?
If you sleep next to your partner, he or she may notice sleep irregularities. This can include irregular breathing, loud snoring noises, and wheezing. And if you find yourself waking up often or not rested, that could also indicate sleep apnea. Since 2018 there is a special watch on the market with which you can measure your oxygen level while you sleep. You can also get your blood pressure, cholesterol level, blood sugar level, weight, and kidneys checked by your doctor. There are special sleep studies in the hospital or sleep clinic.
what can you do about it?
Your lifestyle can already make a difference. If possible, you can try to lose weight. Cutting down on smoking, alcohol (up to 1 glass per day, more than 1 hour before bedtime), and sedatives can also help. Also try to pay attention to your sleeping position: sleep on your stomach or side (instead of on your back) and make sure your head is higher than the rest of your body. For persistent sleep apnea, you can use special braces, mouthguards or masks. Pay close attention to what you get, as the Philips 2022 problem teaches us. The company has been discredited for its sleep apnea devices, which have been shown to produce harmful substances. The consequences of this affair cost Philips more than 1 billion euros.
(Source: Archive, Thuisarts, Longfonds, Ruysdael Sleep Clinic, Apnea Association, NU.nl. Photo: Shutterstock)
