The Silent Danger of Snoring: Understanding and Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep, one of the fundamental physiological needs of humans, accounts for approximately one-third of our lives. Just like food and water, sleep is essential for survival and a crucial factor in assessing the quality of life. Adequate sleep ensures the restoration of both mental and physical well-being, while poor sleep can significantly impact work productivity and overall quality of life. However, according to the World Health Organization, approximately 27% of the global population suffers from sleep disorders.

Snoring ≠ Sound Sleep

Did you know that snoring may not be a sign of a good night's sleep? In our daily lives, we often come across partners, family members, or friends who snore during sleep. It might surprise you, that snoring can actually be a severe health issue. Our personal health is seriously endangered by snoring, which also disturbs the sleep of others nearby. There are significant health hazards if the problem is ignored. Actually, snoring excessively is a medical condition. In particular, when the snoring is loud, erratic, and followed by choking or gasping for air. It's important to seek medical help if you experience these symptoms.

During sleep, your upper airway can collapse which causes breathing pauses and decreased airflow; This condition is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It is not just a respiratory problem, but it is also closely associated with other respiratory diseases such as interstitial lung diseases, chronic cough, pulmonary hypertension, and treatment-resistant asthma.

The Comprehensive Hazards of OSA

Understanding of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

As we get older, our chances of developing obstructive sleep apnea tend to increase, especially for men. Before menopause, women typically have lower rates of this condition compared to men, but the risk becomes similar after menopause. If you fall into any of the following groups, it's important to be extra cautious:

Obese individuals with a body mass index (BMI) > 28.
Individuals with facial features associated with snoring, including nasal obstruction, enlarged tonsils (grade II or above), soft palate laxity, elongated or thick uvula, narrow pharynx, pharyngeal tumors, thickened pharyngeal mucosa, enlarged tongue, posterior tongue displacement, retrognathia (receding chin), and micrognathia (small jaw).
Individuals with a family history of snoring.
Smokers
Individuals who consume alcohol regularly and/or use sedatives, hypnotics, or muscle relaxants.
Those with concomitant medical conditions such as cerebrovascular disease, congestive heart failure, hypothyroidism, acromegaly, vocal cord paralysis, brain tumors, neuromuscular diseases, laryngopharyngeal reflux, or mediastinal masses compressing the upper airway.

Persistent and severe snoring often results in frequent episodes of sleep apnea and severe oxygen deprivation during nighttime sleep, leading to disrupted sleep patterns and poor sleep quality. This can cause excessive daytime sleepiness, memory impairment, lack of concentration, decreased work efficiency, and even serious accidents. Moreover, repeated episodes of nocturnal hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) can have widespread effects on various bodily systems.

Cardiovascular System: OSA can contribute to conditions such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, angina, arrhythmias, heart failure, and even nocturnal sudden death.

Endocrine System: It can lead to insulin resistance, abnormal glucose metabolism, and metabolic syndrome.

Urinary and Reproductive Systems: OSA may cause nocturia (excessive urination at night), decreased libido in adults, and erectile dysfunction. It has also been associated with chronic kidney disease (uremia).

Digestive System: Obstructed breathing during sleep can increase intra-abdominal pressure, exacerbating gastroesophageal reflux. It can also lead to dysbiosis (imbalanced gut microbiota) and hypoxic liver damage.

Nervous and Mental Health: OSA has been linked to conditions such as epilepsy, anxiety, and depression.

Treatment Options

General measures include regular exercise, a healthy diet, weight control, smoking cessation, and cautious use of sedatives and hypnotics. Sleeping in a lateral position (on the side) can also help alleviate symptoms. Timely treatment of underlying conditions that contribute to or worsen OSA, such as hypothyroidism, is crucial.

If you are experiencing OSA, the recommended clinical treatments may vary depending on the severity of your condition. For moderate to severe OSA, the first-line treatment is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, which involves wearing a home ventilator. If you have snoring or mild to moderate OSA, oral appliances such as dental splints may be suitable, particularly if you have retrognathia. Depending on your individual circumstances, surgical interventions like nasal and oral procedures or weight loss surgery may be considered. It's important to note that there are currently no medications specifically proven to be effective in treating OSA.

Conclusion

To sum up, it's really important to be aware of the negative effects of snoring and the potential risks of obstructive sleep apnea in order to maintain good health and a high quality of life. As a reader, you can keep an eye out for symptoms, get the right treatment, and adjust your lifestyle as needed to improve your sleep and overall well-being.