Can sleep apnea kill you?
You may be wondering how serious this is or even asking, Can sleep apnea kill you?
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Causes of Breathing Stopping During Sleep
Sleep-related breathing disturbances are fairly common.
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The most familiar one to most people issnoring.
The characteristic sound is triggered by vibration in the tissues of your upper airway while you breathe.
It is also possible for you to completely stop breathing for a while.
These breathing pauses are called sleep apnea, from the Greek for no breath.
By definition, apnea events last at least 10 seconds, but they can stretch on for several minutes.
The most common cause of apnea is the sleep disorder known asobstructive sleep apnea(OSA).
As a result, airflow through your nose and mouth is reduced or cut off during these periods.
Other potential causes of disturbed breathing during sleep are less common.
They include:
How Breathing Resumes
With improper breathing, the bloods oxygen levels drop.
When you experience it, you may wake up gasping or choking.
When Does Sleep Apnea Become Serious?
The severity of sleep apnea varies.
These events may even occur as part of normal sleep-stage transitions.
If breathing disruptions occur more frequently, asleep studymay diagnose OSA.
The following categories are used to classify sleep apnea based on theapnea-hypopnea index (AHI).
When oxygen levels fall below 90%, this is called hypoxemia.
In the setting of heart or lung disease, the oxygen levels may drop drastically with each apnea event.
As a result, there can be greater stress placed on the body overnight.
Chronic oxygen deprivation may lead to both short-term and long-term effects.
In other words, you won’t just stop breathing permanently.
Chronic Risks
Evidence shows that long-term sleep-disordered breathing can have important health consequences.
The risks are greater if OSA is moderate to severe.
It may increase the incidence ofhigh blood pressure (hypertension),diabetes, and heart problems.
It’s also associated with depression and memory problems likeAlzheimers disease.It increases daytime sleepiness and may contribute to accidents.
That makes treating sleep apnea important for protecting your health.
Dont dismiss breathing disturbances in sleep as inconsequential; over time, serious problems can develop.
Fortunately, effective treatment options are available, including the use ofCPAPor anoral appliance.
Speak with your healthcare provider and get the treatment you should probably breathe and sleep better.
Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep.
Proper treatment can reduce the risks of sleep apnea.
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