in In a busy and hectic life, working is important, but healthy sleep is even more important. A person can be said to have healthy sleep when they utilize about 8 hours out of 24 hours for sleeping. In simple terms, a person should sleep for at least 6 to 8 hours. However, there are certain problems due to which a person is unable to sleep properly, such as snoring and sleep apnea.
Snoring
Snoring occurs when a person’s nose becomes blocked, which causes difficulty in breathing. Because of this blockage, the person is not able to breathe properly. When a person cannot take proper breaths, it becomes a serious problem even for a normal, healthy individual.
Snoring happens when air cannot flow freely through the nose and throat during sleep. This causes the surrounding tissues to vibrate, producing sound.
Common causes of Snoring
- Nasal congestion or blocked nose
This is not a serious disease. Sometimes, when a person catches a cold, the nose becomes blocked due to congestion, and this issue occurs. Generally, this problem is seen when the cold becomes severe.
- Sleeping on the back
Sleeping on the back causes great difficulty in breathing properly, which leads to serious problems during sleep.
- Obesity or excess weight
When a person gains excessive weight and eats too much, they may face problems with proper breathing. The more overweight a person is, the greater the difficulty they experience in breathing.
- Smoking or alcohol before sleep
When a person smokes or consumes alcohol before sleeping, this problem can occur. Therefore, one should always keep in mind that smoking and alcohol should be avoided before going to sleep.
- Structural issues in the nose or throat
If a person has an abnormal structure of the nose or throat since childhood, this problem can also occur. Similarly, if a person has an accident that affects the nose or throat, it may also lead to this issue.
Problems caused by snoring:
Due to snoring, a person faces many problems. When a person is unable to sleep properly, they become irritable, do not enjoy their work, and find it difficult to concentrate. Only those people who get adequate rest are able to perform their work properly.
- Disturbed sleep (for you and others)
- Daytime tiredness
- Poor sleep quality
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is very dangerous for a person. Proper treatment is necessary so that the person can breathe properly. If it is not treated correctly, the person’s health will continue to deteriorate day by day. Therefore, it is very important to always pay attention to this condition.
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.
Types of Apnea
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Airway gets blocked during sleep
- Central Sleep Apnea: Brain does not send proper signals to breathe
Common symptoms of Apnea
Generally, the main symptom of this condition is that a person’s breathing stops when they go to sleep. This is the most dangerous symptom. Other symptoms are not as risky in comparison. The remaining symptoms are listed below:
- Loud, chronic snoring
- Breathing pauses during sleep
- Choking or gasping at night
- Morning headaches
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Poor concentration
Health risks if untreated:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Increased accident risk due to sleepiness
Management and Treatment of Apnea
If a person wants to get rid of this problem, they need to pay attention to many things. If these are ignored, it can cause serious difficulties in the future. Therefore, it is important to follow all the tips given below, such as:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid alcohol and smoking
- Sleep on your side instead of your back
- Treat nasal blockage or allergies
- Use CPAP machine (for moderate to severe sleep apnea)
- Consult a doctor for sleep study (polysomnography)
