Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person’s breathing pattern will stop and continue while they sleep. The condition is as severe as it sounds, and it is essential to get immediate treatment if you experience the problem. Sleep apnea patients are at risk of getting depression and heart diseases.
Visit the sleep apnea specialists at Houston Sinus Surgery center to treat sleep apnea in Houston. The specialist will diagnose the condition and provide immediate treatment to ensure you get back to your regular sleeping routine. Here are the types and risk factors for sleep apnea you need to know about.
Types of Sleep Apnea
- Central sleep apnea – The condition occurs when the brain fails to send signals to the muscles responsible for controlling breathing while you sleep. There is no blockage of air in central sleep apnea.
- Obstructive sleep apnea – Obstructive sleep apnea is caused when the airway is blocked while you sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea. The upper airway is blocked partially or entirely.
Risk Factors for Sleep apnea
- Obesity – Overweight people are at a high risk of getting affected by sleep. Obese people may have fat deposits on the airways. The fat deposits may restrict air passages leading to air blockage.
- Gender – Men are the most affected sleep apnea patients. If you are a man, you have a higher risk of getting sleep apnea compared to a woman. The risk of getting sleep apnea increases when another factor like obesity affects the man.
- Family history – There are families where some family members, such as the grandparents and the parents, are affected by sleep apnea. There is a very high chance of getting sleep apnea if you are in such a family.
- Excessive Smoking – Smokers put their health at risk by increasing their chances of getting sleep apnea. Smoking causes inflammation and fluid retention of the airway. Increased smoking may cause increased inflammation-causing air blockage within the airways.
- Age – Age is a huge risk factor for sleep apnea. The chances of a person getting sleep apnea increases as they get older. People over the age of fifty are the most diagnosed sleep apnea patients.
- Use of sedatives – Sedatives relax the throat muscles, which can consequently cause air blockage. People who use sedatives risk getting sleep apnea.
Treatments of Sleep Apnea
- Healthy lifestyle – It all starts with making lifestyle changes. Eat healthy diets, quit smoking and alcohol, and maintain a healthy weight.
- Surgery – Surgery is performed to remove the excess tissue creating air blockage. The aim of performing surgery is to widen the air pathways.
- Medication – The sleep apnea specialist may prescribe you certain medications to control the condition. Some of the drugs prescribed include zolpidem, triazolam, and acetazolamide.
Manage Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a manageable condition. Live a healthy lifestyle, and visit a sleep apnea specialist to prevent the sleep apnea condition from worsening. Call to book an appointment to get treatment today.
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