Sleep Apnea (II)
Author: mzPOTTER
What is the difference?
It is true that occasional apneas are common and sometimes some snoring only due to the position in which to sleep (usually with the neck stretched), so do not require further attention. However, a number of characteristics observed already speak of a sleep disorder that affects the health of the individual:
Frequent snoring almost always reported by the roommate. This symptom is typical of OSA, as the central sleep apnea does not produce sounds.
Daytime sleepiness, that is, excessive sleepiness during the day, often uncontrollable and leads to falling asleep in unusual situations, such as driving a car or in the middle of a conversation.
Severe headache in the morning, as they had little rest and low oxygenation of the brain.
Need to get up to urinate at night (nocturia).
Tiredness with moderate exertion.
Forgetfulness.
Distraction little attention.
Disorders of mood and character, specifically, frequent anger.
Lack of sexual appetite.
Impotence.
Among the most serious complications include heart problems, including arrhythmias and stroke.
It has been observed that apneas occur more often in men than in women, but in females the number of cases during the climacteric. It is more common in obese patients, who have risen sharply in weight, thin people with special structure of the face (elongated, arched palate and small jaw, and withdrawn), the elderly with weak neck muscles and people with Down syndrome.
Finally, the apnea can be aggravated by the consumption of certain substances that promote muscle relaxation or depress the central nervous system, as some medicines for sleep or alcohol.