Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by interruptions in breathing, breathing and gasping and severe snoring. At night, you may experience apnea, sometimes even 30 times in an hour. This situation can make you feel tired and irritable during the day and affect your quality of life.

Long-term complications of sleep apnea include increased risk of diabetes, memory problems, sexual dysfunction, stroke and heart disease. If you are experiencing the above symptoms, you are likely to have a sleep disorder commonly referred to as obstructive sleep apnea.

When the soft tissue at the back of the throat relaxes and blocks the airway, obstructive sleep apnea can occur, causing you to snoring loudly. However, snoring alone does not mean that you have sleep apnea. It should be accompanied by other symptoms: inattention, dry throat waking, restless sleep, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, irritability and depression. Lack of energy and fatigue are the most important symptoms of sleep apnea.

Medical

The diagnosis of sleep apnea may worry you; however, it is a treatable disease. When you suspect that you may have this disease, ask your doctor for a proper diagnosis. The following are the most common medical interventions for obstructive sleep apnea.

Positive air pressure device

Positive airway pressure devices are the most common treatment for mild and severe apnea. They work with a variety of masks that hold your mouth and nose when you sleep. They allow pressurized air to flow through your throat to prevent airway collapse. Pressurized air is supplied through a pipe connected to the apparatus. Here are a few options you can use.

• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure [CPAP] device

This method is considered the gold standard ' for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. It includes a mask-like device that covers your mouth and nose. This mechanism enhances airflow and keeps your TV clear while you sleep. CPAP has been found to be uncomfortable for patients; however, it has been upgraded and is now quieter, lighter and user friendly.
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  Consider this treatment because it immediately relieves symptoms and promotes your overall health. Its consistent use has achieved positive results.

Although CPAP is the most commonly used treatment for sleep apnea, there are some treatment devices that are less invasive and can also be used to treat mild sleep apnea. These are adaptive servo ventilation devices, expiratory positive airway pressure [EPAP] and bi-level positive airway pressure [BPAP].

• Adaptive servo ventilation

The device is used to treat central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea. It stores information about your regular breathing and spontaneously applies airway pressure to prevent you from pausing while you sleep.

• Positive airway pressure [EPAP]

These devices may benefit people with mild to moderate apnea. They are less invasive than CPAP devices and only cover your nostrils. They keep the airway open.

• Bi-level positive airway pressure [BPAP]

The device works automatically by adjusting the pressure while sleeping. When inhaling, the air pressure is increased, and the air pressure is reduced when exhaling. This tool can be used for those who have problems with CPAP. Some BPAP devices are very advanced and they breathe if they detect an apnea.

2. Dental appliances

These fit like a sports tooth in your mouth. Dentists in dental sleep medicine training should fix them. They move their jaws and tongue forward while sleeping; keep the airway open. The mandibular repositioning device and the tongue retaining device are two common types. Common side effects include saliva buildup, nausea, permanent changes in the teeth, jaw and mouth position.

3. Surgery

Because of the risk of being infected, surgery should be the last choice after you have used all other surgeries. It involves removing excess tissue from the back of the neck and nose, removing tonsils and adenoids, and reconstructing the lower jaw to enlarge the upper respiratory tract.

As a patient, your doctor should inform you about the available treatment options and make the best recommendations based on the diagnosis.

Self-help treatment

Based on existing medical interventions, the following lifestyle adjustments and self-help strategies can help you control the symptoms of sleep apnea.

Lose weight

No matter what your weight, everyone has a layer of fat on the neck. These fat cells will grow and shrink based on your body mass index. A higher body mass index means you have more fat cells in your neck. The more important they are, the more liquid they retain; therefore, they put more pressure on the upper airway, which can hinder your breathing. Therefore, weight loss is necessary to treat sleep apnea symptoms.

Take the exercise program that suits you and supplement it with a healthy diet. Exercise at least four times a week. It reduces the amount of fat around the neck; thus improving sleep apnea symptoms. Studies have shown that some people may no longer need treatment after losing weight.
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  Using a high-fiber diet and plenty of water can help you lose weight and control your weight.

2. Manage your alcohol intake

Alcohol is a relaxing agent that relaxes your throat muscles, such as Uvula and Palate. These two muscles help to control your breathing while you sleep. Alcohol will relax them and block the respiratory tract; therefore, you breathe and breathe. Avoid drinking alcohol for at least three hours before going to bed.

3. Avoid smoking

The effect of smoking on inflammation and the retention of fluids in radio waves. This infection may block your radio waves and cause sleep disturbances. Think about this habit, and you will gain significant gains by improving your sleep quality.

4. Avoid excessive use of sleeping pills and sedatives

Over-the-counter sleeping pills and sedatives have a similar effect on alcohol. They relax your throat muscles, block the respiratory tract and interfere with your breathing. Do not use them without a doctor's prescription.

5. Adjust your sleeping position

Your sleep posture directly affects your sleep apnea symptoms. Avoid sleeping on your back as it will press your palate and your tongue behind your throat, which will make your snoring worse.
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  Try to sleep next to you and raise your head with a pillow. You can also consider sleeping on your stomach.

6. Treatment of cough, congestion and acid reflux

These conditions can interfere with your normal breathing; therefore, you must treat them. Cough can irritate the upper respiratory tract and increase snoring. Nasal congestion can cause difficulty breathing in the nose, leading to worsening sleep apnea symptoms. Acid reflux can irritate your throat and voice box, causing swelling and increasing sleep apnea symptoms.

The National Institutes of Health found that sleep apnea is the leading cause of excessive daytime sleepiness in adults. It can affect your productivity and overall health. This condition can also lead to long-term health complications, some of which are life-threatening. If you have symptoms associated with this disease, don't take it lightly. Make sure you go to the doctor and get the right diagnosis, because sleep apnea is a treatable disease. Take action now!

How to treat sleep apnea was originally published on Spring