Sleep Apnea – Types, Causes, and Diagnosis

We all hear of how crucial it is to care for our cardiovascular health through proper exercise and a clean diet. What’s more, high-quality sleep is equally important for the health of the heart. 

A significant number of people wake up either exhausted, experiencing headaches, or with a dry mouth. Sleep apnea may be the reason. Untreated sleep apnea, in particular, is linked to an elevated risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Worse still, many people may not even be aware that they have this widespread issue. 

Sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the chest and neck area relax and close up the airway, preventing you from obtaining adequate oxygen. Breathing is stopped for more than ten seconds while sleeping.  If one has sleep apnea, the throat muscles relax, and the airway constricts, causing cessation of breathing until the reflexes cause it to resume. 

Home sleep study monitoring is a relatively quick and simple approach to see if one is suffering from breathing problems compared to the studies done in the lab. The doctor sends you home with portable home sleep study equipment.  

A patient may also opt to have an in-home sleep study company to help in the procedure. 

It is inexpensive as most home sleep studies are a lot more affordable than lab studies. The regular bedtime routine of sleep is followed.  The majority of sleep apnea monitoring equipment is simple to set up. A pulse oximeter that detects the oxygen levels and heart rate, a nasal cannula that measures oxygen and airflow, and respiratory sensors that track the rise and fall of your chest are all common components included in sleep study equipment.

Types of Sleep Apnea

There are three common types of sleep apnea. They are categorized according to severity. The following are types of sleep apnea that are usually diagnosed by doctors.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

This is a condition in which the airway in the back of the throat gets physically obstructed while sleeping. It is the most common type of sleep apnea. This blockage produces breathlessness for a short period. The blockage occurs in the throat and mouth. The tongue touches the soft palate while sleeping, and the soft palate and uvula subsequently press against the throat. Breathing becomes increasingly labored, even impossible. 

Because these organs rattle, it might cause snoring. It may also make a person feel as if they are unable to breathe when waking up. The lungs function normally, and as the person tries to breathe, it becomes impossible to get enough air into the upper airway. 

This condition is more likely when people grow older, gain weight, get pregnant, or have a habit of sleeping on their back. Some of the symptoms comprise waking up fatigued or sleepy, feeling anxious after waking up, snoring and breathing heavily while sleeping, regular headaches, dry mouth on waking up, and feeling confused or the inability to stay focused on one’s tasks.

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)

It occurs when the brain directs the muscles necessary in respiration malfunctions, resulting in slow and shallow breathing. It occurs at night but is not caused by a blockage of the upper airway. Rather, the source of the problem is neurological. 

In contrast to OSA, central sleep apnea causes no snoring since the body does not attempt to breathe. Conversely, breathing ceases as a result of the brain and neurological system not providing signals appropriately. Some of the symptoms one may experience include sleeplessness, sleepiness during the day, and difficulty paying attention.

Mixed Sleep Apnea or Complicated Sleep Apnea

This is when one has a combination of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Central Sleep Apnea, a state also known as complex sleep apnea. 

In some cases, the presence of complex sleep apnea could be detected during a preliminary sleep examination. When apnea does not respond to a standard continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine or other basic OSA therapies, it becomes evident. Frequent waking from sleep, daytime exhaustion, confusion upon awakening, headaches, dry mouth, and low quality sleep are all signs that are comparable to those of OSA.

Causes of Sleep Apnea

There are a number of reasons that may explain sleep apnea. These include:

• Obesity – It is a major cause of OSA and also could be an inherent risk factor. Obesity causes structural constriction of airways.
• Background of the family –  People with sleep disorders are more prone to passing it down to their kin.
• Sleeping on the back –  Tissue collapsing around the airways and causing obstructions is easy in this resting position.
• Smoking –  People who smoke heavily have been reported to have a higher probability of developing apnea than those who do not.
• Features of anatomy –  Flow of air is directly affected by the size and posture of the organs between the neck and mouth.
• Medications –  The tissue in the throat could relax due to sedatives and substances like drugs and alcohol, making it simpler for the airways to become clogged.
• Hormonal imbalances – An underactive thyroid (as in hypothyroidism)  and excess growth hormone are hormonal diseases that might elevate the risk of OSA by triggering tissue swelling near the airway. 
• Congestion in the nose-   Difficulty breathing through one’s nose due to clogging is more likely to develop OSA.

Home Sleep Study Equipment

On consulting a physician for possible sleep apnea, symptoms experienced are discussed beforehand in order to diagnose sleep apnea. If the physician suspects sleep apnea, a sleep monitoring test may be recommended. It entails staying overnight at a laboratory, clinic, or hospital. While you sleep, breathing and other vital signs are recorded by home sleep study equipment. 

This can also be done from the comfort of the patient’s home. If the symptoms indicate sleep apnea, the physician may recommend at-home sleep monitoring. Most physicians who treat sleep-related conditions are usually in touch with a home sleep study company and can easily avail a test kit. 

Sleep Data Monitor

A home sleep study monitor is the most essential device for the study. Breathing habits, blood oxygen levels, respiration strain, and heart rate patterns are recorded and stored by this device. The doctor should be able to ascertain if one has sleep apnea using the data collected.

Nasal Cannula

A nasal cannula is placed in the nose to record your breathing pattern and respiration activity. This gadget comprises a tubular loop connected to the home study sleep monitor and two smaller tubes inserted into the patient’s nose.

Fingertip Heart Rate Sensor

Heart rates and blood oxygen concentration are monitored with a pulse oximeter probe, more commonly known as a heart rate fingertip sensor. This device is also connected to the sleep data monitor.

Adjustable Chest Strap

It keeps the sleep monitor in place because this chest strap is stretchy and adjustable. Attempts to breathe are recorded by the chest strap. This aids in the differentiation of obstructive and central respiratory events.

Conclusion

The concept of having one’s sleep monitored in an unfamiliar environment can be disturbing and frightening for most people. 

As a result, having a sleep test done from the comfort of their home seems to be an instinctive choice. It is less intrusive, and one can stick to their normal routine. 

This form of sleep test is perfect for housebound people, such as the elderly, and people with chronic conditions. It’s also useful for busy people because they can conduct the study at their convenience. The accuracy is also high, which allows for a great recommendation for a treatment protocol by the doctor.