Despite the lack of understanding around sleep apnea and the way it affects individuals it is frequently mentioned in daily life. There are many instances in TV shows or movies for instance, like characters who are attached to masks of CPAP devices (short to continuous positive airway therapy) and not even conscious of the connection to sleep apnea! Sometime, even people who aren’t familiar with apnea might draw connections to the condition by its frequent connection with snoring even if they’re not aware of the fact that the symptom is due to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
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But, despite the increasing number of cases of apnea being reported, how common is sleep apnea in the modern world of medicine?
Sleep Apnea Diagnosis Would Be More Common If More People Were Officially Diagnosed…
Medical conditions that are misdiagnosed and inaccessibility to diagnosis go hand-in-hand. If there isn’t a greater awareness of sleep apnea, which is required to prompt patients to pursue sleep studies and evaluations and fewer patients will receive an annual diagnosis. Although it is estimated that 26 percent of Americans aged between 30 and 70 suffer from sleep apnea many are not diagnosed due to missed symptoms or difficulties in obtaining the appropriate treatment. Doctors are now estimating that 80percent of cases of sleep apnea are not recognized, leaving them without the ability to access treatment and treatment to treat the conditions. This is often a result of the gap in knowledge between healthcare professionals and patients which means that many patients need to be educated about the fact that they suffer from the condition.
The Risks Of Living Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is an issue that directly affects breathing capacity of an individual and breathe, a variety of health issues can arise when the problem is left untreated. The severity of the issue will vary. each “apnea episode” will affect a person’s regular essential body functions, decreasing the levels of oxygen in blood and hindering restorative phases of sleep that are essential to improve health, memory and healing. If the problem persists and worsens, the risk of developing secondary illnesses can increase, which is especially harmful for those who are who are at greater risk of developing heart disease liver issues, diabetes, and mental health problems. Recent research has suggested that sleep apnea may lower life expectancy about 15 years. This makes identifying the right treatment plan vital to improve overall health.
We All Snore At Some Point, But That Doesn’t Mean Everyone Has Sleep Apnea
One of the most frequent motives for patients seeking an apnea diagnosis or sleep screening is due to a complaint of snoring that is either from them or from a college dorm-mate or even a irritated partner. Snoring is a common occurrence in as high as 94 percent of cases of apnea (according to research studies published within the National Library of Medicine) excessive sleepiness during the day is oft-repeated, but more important factor to consider in the majority of patients who are suspected. A lack of energy during the day, particularly when it’s excessive – can greatly affect the quality of life of a patient and provide medical health professionals with a warning signal of poor quality sleep as well as sleep-related disorders and other health problems that are severe. Snoring can be a sign of a health issue, but it’s not a precise indicator of quality of sleep in the event that it is related to being who are disturbed by the snoring of others!
Are You Just Snoring? Or Are You Sleepy Too?
Snoring happens when air flows through airways with narrow passages, which triggers tissues to vibrate. The loud, raucous snoring that occurs is commonplace at time in their lives, typically because of allergies, unusual sleeping positions, overweight and nasal structures that are abnormal. It is a shame that looking for an apnea diagnosis on the basis of the snoring itself, in the event that you’re checking patients against other indications and symptoms.
If You’re Considering Whether You Have Sleep Apnea Or If Someone You Know May Be Suffering From The Condition, Here Are Some of The Questions To Consider:
- Are you awake feeling tired, even after having slept for a long time?
- What are your feelings in the morning?
- Do you suffer from sore throat, dry mouth or headaches that start in the morning?
- Do you experience sleepiness throughout the day?
- Are you in the recommended guidelines for health in your size and age?
- Are you struggling with moods, lack of focus and concentration?
- Did anyone mention that you breathe heavily or make a gasping sound at night?
You Are More Likely To Develop Sleep Apnea As An Adult
It is not likely to have sleep apnea at birth but cases do occur in young children. Yale Medicine has suggested that 3 to 4 percent of kids are believed to suffer from sleep apnea. Ten to 20 percent of them sufferers being chronic sleepers. The condition is known medically as sleep apnea for children the majority of diagnoses are related to the growth of the tonsils and adenoids that cause an airway blockage that is only partial (rather than the complete obstruction that adults experience). However some people wonder: what is the prevalence of sleep apnea? In reality, most patients don’t develop sleep apnea until later on in their lives because the risk of developing it increases when an individual reaches the age of 30. Hereditary factors, lifestyle factors and gender as well as medical history can all affect the possibility of acquiring the diagnosis of apnea. up to 32% of patients with the disorder by reaching the age 65.
Are You At Risk of Sleep Apnea?
Certain risk factors can affect the prevalence of sleep apnea. These risk factors can increase the likelihood of being diagnosed as you the advancing years even for those who had good health during the early years of their life and into adulthood. There are a variety of indicators that could affect the likelihood of developing apnea like lifestyle choices, smoking habits, excess weight, alcohol consumption as well as poor treatment of medical issues that could lead to OSA. When considering the prevalence of sleep apnea one should be aware that some people may be more susceptible because of the history of their family, prior surgeries or, simply, the form of their airways.
Common Sleep Apnea Risk Factors Checklist:
Anatomical aspects like small jaws or large tounges can make patients vulnerable to airway blockages and apnea-related episodes.
- A family history may be a sign of a genetic component in sleep apnea. It can also increase the chance of developing the condition.
- Certain childhood health issues like obesity could cause sleep apnea in later years or even development in the early years of childhood.
- Obesity is an incredibly common risk factor that is associated with sleep apnea. It can cause an increase in fat accumulation on the upper respiratory tract as well as airway narrowing.
As previously mentioned the influence of lifestyle can lead to the process of developing sleep apnea with alcohol having a significant impact on 25percent of the cases, and those who smoke 1.2 percent more likely be diagnosed. diagnosis.
Genre can impact the chance to develop sleep apnea However, this may change as you the advancing years. Males are most likely suffer from the condition in the younger age group of 50, while women are more susceptible at 50 years of age.
Though these uncontrollable elements are often a source of anxiety for patients about, particularly those struggling to accept an unexpected diagnosis, Obstructive Sleep Apnea can be treated and managed in many ways Contact our team with our Sleep Cycle Center to discuss our holistic and alternative treatment options.
Understanding How and When Sleep Apnea Starts
Sleep Apnea impacts a large number of people all over the world and can be found in 5-10% of patients being diagnosed worldwide. Risk factors, diagnose rates and the awareness of the condition may differ across various countries, with apnea being relatively rare in certain regions around the globe. The process of identifying the disorder and determining the best treatment starts with knowing the nature of OSA is and how it manifests.
What Is An Apnea Episode?
The symptoms occur when the muscles supporting the soft tissues of the throat are temporarily relaxed in the course of sleep, particularly during the more deep phases of sleep. When the muscles are relaxed, airway is narrowed, or in some instances, completely shut – hindering breathing to the person. Apnea-related episodes that are frequent can result in a variety of discomfort during the day and may lead to seeking medical attention and the formal process of diagnosis.