FAQs About Sleep Apnea

1. Is nasal surgery necessary?

There are many home remedies and devices, which can be used to treat sleep apnea.   However, these are not always effective in eliminating sleep apnea and surgery becomes inevitable.  If there is a problem in the septum, or middle structure of the nose, it needs to be straightened out. Small bones on the side of the nasal cavities should be reduced for solving the problem.  It can be recommended to relieve snoring. 

2. How is snoring graded depending on it severity?
 
There are different grades of snoring, which starts from mild to severe cases.  It is better to consult the physician when a person experiences milder form of snoring.  Immediate medical supervision is required when the person touches the forth level.

Snoring can be heard only when watched very closely.
Snoring can be heard in whole of the bedroom
Snoring can be heard outside the bedroom when the door is opened
Snoring can be heard outside the bedroom even when the door is closed.

3. Does Snoring lead to sleep apnea?

Snoring is one of the important symptoms of apnea. It does not mean snoring is the cause. People with tonsils, adenoids or polyps can also snore.  In some cases, even persons who do not snore exhibit other symptoms of apnea.

4. Does sleep apnea cause heart burn? Which comes first?

It is a vicious circle. Due to acid refluxes, soft tissues in the throat and the larynx can be damaged. The burning sensation and the damaged throat keeps them awake. But it is still not known whether the acid reflux disorder was present before the sleep apnea or vice versa.

5.Are there any particular age group who are highly susceptible to apnea?

No, there is no particular age for sleep apnea to occur. From infancy, until old age any person can develop sleep apnea. Researches have found that men are highly susceptible to sleep apnea than women.

6. What is the difference between hypopnea and  Apnea?

Both Hypopnea and apnea are respiratory disorders, which occurs during sleep. Hypopnea is less severe than apnea. The difference between apnea and a hypopnea is that, in apnea, the airflow is fully blocked, while in case of hypopnea, there is a partial airflow from the nose to the lungs. Nevertheless, both does damage the normal sleep pattern, causing low oxygen levels in the body.

7. Can sleep apnea patient drive?

No, it is highly risky for an apnea patient to drive. While driving mind and body should be alert and the person driving should possess high reflexes. Due to sleeplessness in the night and daytime sleepiness, there is a chance of mind not to be alert.  Sleep apnea patients sleep with out their knowledge at day times.  Therefore, it is dangerous to drive.

8. Before diagnosis of apnea will the person know that they are gasping for breath during sleep?

No.  Persons suffering from apnea, wake up often to regularize the breathing pattern by taking in more air.  It is always a partial awakening, just enough for the body's functions to resume to normal.  While there is no necessity for the person to become aware of it, it is barely enough to disturb the sleep pattern.  That is, the person is always in the state of REM and they never get into deep sleep. The same applies to daytime sleepiness where people are unaware of the fact that they are tired.  They sleep without their knowledge at anytime and anywhere.

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