Sleep Apnea Increases Sudden Death Risk

Sleep Apnea Syndrome, as the most common sleep-respiratory disorder in the society, negatively affects the lives of many people. If care is not taken in this insidious type of disease, dangerous and fatal consequences can occur. How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed and How Is It Treated? What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

Constituting an average of one-third of human life, sleep is of great importance for a healthy life. Disruption of sleep or disturbances during sleep bring along various diseases. Sleep apnea syndrome is one of the most common sleep disorders in Turkey. If left untreated, it can be fatal.

Red Crescent Kartal Hospital Chest Diseases Specialist Uzm. Dr. M. Burak Uçar gave information about sleep apnea symptoms and treatment. Dr. Uçar said, “Sleep apnea is one of the most important sleep disorders accompanied by snoring and can be expressed as cessation of breathing for 10 seconds or more during sleep. If this happens 5 times or more per hour, it is expressed as sleep apnea syndrome. There are mild, moderate and severe types. Sleep apnea can develop as a result of the root of the tongue and soft palate or overgrown tonsils blocking the airway. A very important part of people with sleep apnea complain of snoring.

Main Symptoms of Snoring and Shortness of Breath during Sleep

Chest Diseases Specialist Dr. Dr. M. Burak Uçar, “The most important symptom of sleep apnea is cessation of breathing during sleep. Other sleep apnea symptoms can be listed as follows; restlessness during sleep, snoring, waking up tired during the day, lack of concentration during the day, frequent urination, sweating, dry mouth, hypertension, sexual reluctance. Snoring in people with sleep apnea syndrome occurs several times more and loudly. In addition to snoring, shortness of breath, frequent sighing, trying to wake up by fluttering, frequent and long-term respiratory arrests, waking up tired in the morning are also seen in people with sleep apnea syndrome. Snoring is a sign that should be taken into account, especially in obese and overweight people.

If left untreated, serious consequences

Stating that sleep apnea can have very dangerous consequences, Chest Diseases Specialist Uzm. Dr. M. Burak Uçar, “When you stop breathing with sleep apnea, the amount of oxygen in the blood decreases, while the amount of carbon dioxide and acid accumulation increases. This causes your heart, blood vessels, and nervous system to work harder. This causes the risk of high blood pressure, rhythm disorder, heart failure, heart attack, stroke (stroke) to be seen more frequently than healthy people. As a result of falling asleep at the wheel, the risk of traffic accidents, distraction, depression and memory problems increase significantly.

How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed and How Is It Treated?

Stating that sleep apnea can be treated with appropriate diagnosis method and treatment options, Kızılay Kartal Hospital Chest Diseases Specialist Uzm. Dr. M. Burak Uçar, “Your doctor will perform a series of tests to see what happens in your body during sleep with sleep studies. Among the sleep tests, the most important is polysomnography (PSG). This test measures electrical activity in the brain, eye movements, muscle activity, heart rate, airflow in the mouth and nose, and the amount of oxygen in the blood. Polysomonography is the most accurate method for diagnosing sleep apnea. If the person with sleep apnea is overweight or obese, these people should first lose weight under the control of a dietitian. Also, avoiding alcohol and sleeping pills, quitting smoking, and not sleeping on your back also reduce discomfort. The basic treatment of sleep apnea syndrome is to start using anti-apnea devices (CPAP-BPAP) by patients after diagnosis and in case of moderate/severe sleep apnea syndrome in patients. If there are significant anatomical narrowings in the upper respiratory tract, the patient should be evaluated for surgical intervention by an otolaryngologist. said.

Kızılay Kartal Hospital is a subsidiary of the Turkish Red Crescent and is one of the hospitals and medical centers operated by the Red Crescent Health Group.