Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which people’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts.
When left untreated, the condition may increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and possibly type 2 diabetes.
Anita Valanju Shelgikar, M.D. from the University of Michigan Sleep Disorders Center, provides information about the risk factors and treatment of the disease.
According to her, there are 5 signs that signal a high risk of sleep apnea:
Snoring during sleep
Although not everyone who snores has obstructive sleep apnea, it is recommended that people who snore be evaluated for other obstructive sleep apnea risk factors to see if further diagnostic testing is warranted.
A history of stroke or transient ischemic attack
People who had a stroke or transient ischemic attack in the past have an increased risk of having sleep apnea.
Treating obstructive sleep apnea may help prevent additional strokes or heart problems.
High blood pressure
People with high blood pressure, especially treatment-resistant high blood pressure need to talk with doctors about sleep apnea test.
A large neck circumference
Research has shown that people with a neck circumference greater than 40 cm (15.7 inches) may increase the likelihood of having sleep apnea.
Being overweight or obese
Although the relationship between sleep apnea and obesity is complex, people who are obese may have a greater risk of having sleep apnea.
In addition, men have a higher risk of sleep apnea and women have a higher risk of the disease after menopause.
Treatments of sleep apnea
The main treatment for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, which involves wearing a mask during sleep.
Other ways of treating sleep apnea include:
Sleeping on the left or right side;
Using a mouth device known as a mandibular advancement appliance;
Removal enlarged tonsils and adenoids;
Having a procedure called uvulopalatopharyngoplasty to reduce a long palate;
Using a surgery called genioglossus advancement to treat the airway that collapses behind the tongue;
Using an Inspire hypoglossal nerve stimulator to treat a backward collapse of the tongue;
Using a surgery called maxillomandibular advancement to deal with shortened upper or lower jawbones;
Using a surgery called maxillomandibular expansion when jawbones are narrow;
Using medical weight loss surgery to lose weight;
Using tongue reduction surgery.
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