Sleep Apnea is manageable

Sleep apnea’s bad condition that messes up your sleep, causing you to stop breathing for short spells throughout the night. It’s like your body’s playing tricks on you, making your airways close up just as you’re trying to get a good night’s rest. There are a couple of types, with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) being the most common — that’s when your throat muscles decide to relax too much and block the airway. Then, there’s central sleep apnea, where the brain simply doesn’t send the right messages to the muscles that control breathing. If you have both, it’s called complex sleep apnea syndrome or treatment-emergent central sleep apnea. Either way, it’s nothing to be trifled with!

Now, sleep apnea has its ways of letting you know it’s there — if only you’re awake enough to
notice! Here are some telltale signs:

• Loud snoring: That earth-shaking, wall-rattling kind that drives partners to spare rooms.
• Episodes of stopped breathing: Often only noticed if someone’s watching over you as you
  sleep.
• Gasping for air or choking: Often only noticed if someone’s watching over you as you
  sleep.
• Daytime fatigue: Often only noticed if someone’s watching over you as you
  sleep.
• Morning headaches and dry mouth: Often only noticed if someone’s watching over you as you sleep.

If you’re nodding along to any of these symptoms, it might be worth a chat with a sleep specialist.

The craic is that anyone can develop sleep apnea, but there are a few factors that make some people
more likely than others:

• Weight: Carrying extra weight around the neck can press on the airway, narrowing it when
  lying down.
• Age: As we grow older, the muscles lose their tone, making it easier for the airway to
  collapse.
• Gender: Men tend to be more prone to sleep apnea than women, especially younger ones.
• Family history: If your da or granda had it, you might be in for it too.
• Alcohol and sedatives: These relax the muscles, including those that keep your airway open.

Now, there are plenty of treatments to manage and relieve sleep apnea. It all depends on the
severity and your personal needs.

1. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP): This wee machine provides a constant stream
   of air through a mask, keeping your airway open and stopping those breathless episodes. It’s the gold standard, even if it takes a bit of getting used to.
2. BiPAP and APAP: If CPAP isn’t quite doing the job, other machines, like BiPAP (bilevel
   positive airway pressure) or APAP (automatic positive airway pressure), might do the trick by adjusting the air pressure as needed.
3. Oral appliances: These handy devices, much like a sports mouthguard, are great for mild cases. They push the jaw slightly forward to keep the airway from closing up, though they’re less effective for severe cases.
4. Positional Therapy: Some folks find their apnea acts up only when they’re lying on their back. Training yourself to sleep on your side can do wonders if that’s the case!
5. Surgery: For those with more structural issues, like a deviated septum or large tonsils, a
   surgical fix might be recommended. Surgeries can range from uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) to nasal surgery, depending on the blockage.

Lifestyle changes can make a world of difference:

• Losing weight: It’s one of the most effective natural ways to reduce the severity of sleep
  apnea, especially if weight around the neck’s a factor.
• Avoiding alcohol and sedatives: These relax the throat muscles, so steering clear might
  improve your sleep quality.
• Nasal breathing:Treating nasal blockages with decongestants or humidifiers can help,
  particularly for people with allergies or sinus issues.
• Quitting smoking: Easier said than done, but smoking inflames the airways, making apnea worse.

It’s also good to consider options like Myofunctional Therapy — exercises for the tongue and throat
that can strengthen the muscles around the airway. And if you’re still struggling, there are advanced
treatments like Inspire therapy, an implantable device that stimulates the airway muscles.
With some dedication and the right support, many find great relief and improve their sleep, leaving
them with energy to spare.