Sleep problems have become quite common in today’s busy urban life. There is a sleep disorder in India that affects many people, but most people are not even aware of it – its name is sleep apnea.
Many people think that not being able to sleep or being tired all day is not a big deal. But if this problem is not taken care of in time, it can have a bad effect on your heart, mind, body functioning and your nature. The real problem is that many people in the country are living with this problem, but they themselves do not know that their sleep is spoiling their health. And even for those who come to know, it is very difficult to get the right and affordable treatment.
But the good thing is that today, its treatment is possible without going to the hospital, without surgery: through BiPAP Machine. This machine helps in making your breathing regular and smooth at night, so that you get good sleep and your body rests properly.
In this article, we’ll look at how sleep apnea occurs, what the symptoms are, what the risks are, and how you can improve your life without being hospitalised with a simple home solution like a BiPAP machine.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep-related problem in which a person’s breathing stops repeatedly while sleeping. Sometimes this interruption lasts for a few seconds, but its effect is felt throughout the sleep. sometimes for more than a minute. And this can happen several times in a night. When this happens, sleep is interrupted repeatedly and its effect is seen in the form of fatigue, headache or sleepiness throughout the day when you wake up in the morning.
3 main types of sleep apnea
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
This is the most common type. In this, the muscles of the throat eventually relax, blocking the air passage. Breathing stops, and many times the person wakes up with hiccups or jerks.
- Central sleep apnea (CSA)
This is a little unusual. In this, the problem is not in the throat, but the brain stops controlling the respiratory tract for some time. In such a situation, breathing does not become automatic for some time.
- Complex sleep apnea syndrome
This involves both OSA and CSA, which means there is a blockage in the throat and sometimes the brain loses control of breathing. This is a more serious condition, but there are treatment options available.
The Growing Epidemic of Sleep Apnea in India: A Silent Epidemic
Sleep apnea cases are gradually increasing in India, but most people are not aware of it. We have heard that about 25-30% of men and 10-15% of women suffer from this problem. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea.
The main reasons for this sudden increase are rising obesity, sedentary (sedentary) lifestyle, stress and poor sleeping habits. Many people either ignore their symptoms or get misdiagnosed – and this problem is not just seen in patients, sometimes even in some doctors, due to a lack of awareness.
Another major reason is the shame or stigma around sleep disorders. People assume that they have trouble sleeping or are always tired. This prevents them from getting timely checkups and treatment.
Common Causes of Sleep Apnea
A number of factors lead to the onset of sleep apnea, particularly OSA:
- Obesity
The biggest reason for this is obesity. When there is excess fat around the garden, the windpipe can get blocked, causing difficulty in breathing at night.
- Anatomical Structure
Some individuals have inherently smaller airways or enlarged tonsils/adenoids that may obstruct the airflow.
- Alcohol and Sedatives
These cause the throat muscles to relax, raising the likelihood of airway obstruction.
- Smoking
This causes salivation and increased swelling, causing fluid to accumulate inside and block the airway.
- Nasal Congestion
Allergies or sinus conditions may chronically narrow airflow.
- Family History
Genetic predisposition also raises risk.
Finding Symptoms of Sleep Apnea: Warning Signs You Can’t Ignore
Sleep apnea is usually present for years without anyone realizing it. If you or your family find these signs on a regular basis, it’s a good sign that you should talk to a doctor:
Regular loud and forceful snoring with gasping or choking noises
- Morning headaches, dry mouth, or sore throat
- Daytime drowsiness, even after 7–8 hours of sleep
- Trouble concentrating, memory failure, or decreased work performance
- Excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Waking up frequently during the night or having insomnia
- Depression, mood swings and irritability.
Health Consequences of Untreated Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is more than poor sleep. Untreated, over time, it contributes to very serious medical complications:
- Cardiovascular Issue
I have seen it myself that when the body is repeatedly deprived of oxygen, blood pressure rises and the heart has to work harder. This can lead to heart attacks, heart rhythm disturbances and sometimes even death.
- Stroke
Disrupted breathing and decreased oxygen delivery to the brain significantly raise the risk of stroke.
- Type 2 Diabetes
Sleep apnea compromises insulin sensitivity, making it more difficult to manage blood sugar.
- Liver Disease
Sleep apnea patients are at greater risk of experiencing evidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
- Mental Disorders
Long-term sleep loss may contribute to depression, anxiety, and irritability.
- Accidents
Daytime sleepiness boosts the risk of motor vehicle and work accidents.
Managing Sleep Apnea at Home: Effective and Practical Home-Based Treatment Techniques
It is not necessary that sleep apnea can be treated only by going to the hospital or undergoing surgery. In most cases, especially when the condition is mild or moderate, simple methods at home can give very good results. And these methods are not only effective, but also pocket-friendly.
- Lifestyle changes – small habits, big impact
By bringing a little discipline to your daily life, you can reduce the symptoms to a great extent.
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid smoking and alcohol
Get into the habit of sleeping and waking up at a fixed time every day
Even losing just 5-10% of weight can improve sleep apnea.
- Breathing devices used at home like BiPAP
When the problem becomes a little severe, doctors recommend you a BiPAP machine.
It is a simple device that pressurizes air through a mask while you sleep –
- One pressure when you inhale
- Slightly less pressure when you exhale
It is slightly more comfortable than CPAP, especially for those who have trouble using it or who have central sleep apnea.
These machines are easily available in India these days at hospitals and trusted online medical stores.
- Dental device – a simple mouthpiece
In mild cases, a custom-made dental device is available that keeps your lower jaw slightly forward, so that there is good air flow and there is no snoring or breathing problem at night.
- Improve your sleeping environment and posture
- Keep the room dark, quiet and cool
- Avoid sleeping after a big meal, especially at night
- Avoid coffee or tea at night
- Make it a habit to sleep on your side – sleeping on your stomach can cause breathing problems
These small things can make your sleep deep and peaceful.
When to Visit a Doctor
If symptoms don’t improve with changes in lifestyle, or if you are suspecting moderate to severe sleep apnea, see a sleep specialist. A sleep study (polysomnography) may be ordered to ascertain the severity and to decide on the best treatment strategy.
Conclusion
In today’s time, especially in a country like India where stress, obesity and poor sleeping habits are on the rise – sleep apnea has become a very common but under-recognised problem. People ignore it thinking it is just snoring, but it can be dangerous for the heart, brain and health in the future.