What are the Symptoms and Risks associated with Sleep Apnea?

Symptoms

The most common symptom of sleep apnea as most of us know is snoring. Treatment for sleep apnea also acts as an anti-snoring procedure.  However, it is not always the case that everyone who is having a snoring problem is having sleep apnea. Snoring is most likely to be a sign of sleep apnea when it is followed by silent breathing pauses and choking or gasping sounds during one’s sleep.

People who are having sleep apnea often tend to have daytime sleepiness or fatigue.

The most common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Shrill or frequent snoring

• Frequent silent pauses in breathing

• Choking or gasping sounds

• Daytime sleepiness or fatigue

• Unrefreshing sleep

• Insomnia

• Morning headaches

• Difficulty concentrating

• Memory loss

• Decreased sexual desire

• Irritability

Risk Factors associated with Sleep Apnea:

The major risk factor that doctors associate with sleep apnea is excessive body weight. It is found that patients are much more likely to develop sleep apnea if they are overweight or obese. However, sleep apnea can also occur in slim people too. It is important to get Sleep Apnea Treatment in Singapore or in your city before things take a turn for the worse.

 Below we mention some of the common risk factors for sleep apnea: 

Excess weight – The risk for developing sleep apnea is higher if you are overweight with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more or obese with a BMI of 30 or higher.

A large neck size - Your risk for sleep apnea gets higher if you are having a neck size of 17 inches or more for men, or 16 inches or more for women. A large neck has more soft tissues in the throat that can block your airway during sleep causing interruptions in breathing.

Middle age – Patients can be diagnosed with sleep apnea at any stage of their life. However, it is more common between young adulthood and middle age.

Male gender – It is found that sleep apnea is more common in men than in women. The risk of sleep apnea increases with menopause in women.

Hypertension – High blood pressure is an extremely common condition in people who have sleep apnea.

Tips to Avoid Common Problems with CPAP Devices

Continuous positive airway pressure or in short, CPAP therapy is one of the most common treatments for obstructive sleep apnea. It is also a snoring treatment in Singapore and other major urban centres, which is often a symptom of sleep apnea. This machine uses a hose and a nosepiece or a mask to deliver a constant flow of steady air pressure. There are many problems that come with CPAP therapy which can include a leaky mask, trouble sleeping, stuffy nose and a cottonmouth. But there is good news. If one particular type of CPAP mask or device is not the right fit for you, you have many other options. And almost every CPAP mask is adjustable, which can help make them more comfortable for every physical structure.

Here are a few of the common problems associated with CPAP and what you can do about them:

The wrong size or style CPAP mask

You will need to work closely with your specialist and CPAP supplier in order to make sure that you have a CPAP mask that fits properly and comfortably. Every human has a different face shape, so the right style and size mask for someone else might not be the right one for you.

Dry nose

Make sure your mask has a good fit. A leaky mask can easily dry out your nose. If you find yourself constantly tightening straps to prevent air leakage, the mask is not fitting you properly. CPAP in Singapore and other tropical states features a heated humidifier, which when attached to the air pressure machine, can help you to adjust the level of humidification according to your requirement. Try using a nasal saline spray before going to bed can also help ease a dry, stuffy nose.

Difficulty falling asleep

If you are having problems to fall asleep try wearing the mask alone for some time during the day. This might help you to get used to the feeling and therefore making it much easier to fall asleep during bedtime. There are many CPAP machines on the market with the ramp feature that slowly and gradually increases the air pressure to your prescribed pressure setting as you fall asleep. This helps to make you more comfortable at when you sleep resulting in a sound sleep.

With regular appointments with your sleep doctor, you can easily troubleshoot any problems and adjust settings, if needed.

With time and patience, CPAP can have a positive effect on your life.

A restful sleep

It is no doubt that wherever you go, sleep apnea is following you. If you want to perform at your best level, whether you are out on the job or out into the sea, it is vitally important to maintain your sleep therapy every night. It is very vital to know that sound and restful sleep is something you simply can’t do without and should not be avoiding. We are here to provide you with the information that can help you to get the sleep you need, no matter where you are.

Here are a few tips to make your trip easier

• It is always better to talk to your travel carrier in advance

Whether you’re travelling by land, sea or air, each company or agency has its own rules and regulations which they enforce strictly. You will need to at least call your carrier two weeks in advance, in order to find out what you exactly you will be needing to know, do, and bring along. If it is required, your doctor for Snoring Treatment in Singapore can provide you with a letter of medical necessity.

• Always carry your prescription

There is always a possibility of losing or finding damaged baggage, theft or equipment failures. To keep such mishaps from ever interrupting your sleep therapy, remember to ask your doctor or therapist for CPAP in Singapore for a copy of your prescription for a CPAP machine, mask, filters, tubing and humidifier, and always keep it in your wallet or purse.

• Make sure you are familiar with the power supply type at your destination

when you are travelling internationally, power outlets may run a different voltage and have completely different shapes of sockets than here in Singapore. CPAP machines power on with most voltages from all around the world. In order to travel light, keep in mind to bring a universal power adapter that will work in most of the countries. Before traveling it is necessary that you research which adapters will work in the country or region you are travelling to.

• Bring a back-up power supply

It is very difficult to predict power outages and they can happen anytime, anywhere you travel. In addition, your location or carrier might not provide you with an electrical outlet to juice up your device. So, it is a very good idea to always pack a portable battery which is designed specifically for your CPAP machine. And make sure it is always charged.

Few of the Medical treatments for snoring

If you’ve tried some self-help solutions for your snoring problems without any success, there is no need for despair. There are many medical treatments that could make all the difference in the world. New advances of technology in the treatment of snoring are developing all the time and these devices are becoming ever more effective and comfortable.

Medical cures for snoring

Your otolaryngologist or physician may recommend a medical device or surgical procedure when you are undergoing a Snoring Treatment in Singapore or other major countries such as:

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). To help keep your airway open when you sleep, a machine kept by your bedside continuously blows pressurized air into a mask that you wear over your nose or your face. For comparatively milder cases of sleep apnea, doctors might recommend certain lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or quitting tobacco. If you are having nasal allergies, it is recommended that you find good treatment for your allergies. Try looking for a good Sleep Apnea Treatment in Singapore or your country to feel the real difference.

If these treatments don't improve your symptoms or if your sleep apnea is moderate to severe, a number of other treatments are also available.

Certain devices can be used to open up a blocked airway. In other cases, surgery might be required.

• Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP): This uses a laser to shorten the uvula (the soft tissue at the back of the throat which is hanging) and also making smaller cuts in the soft palate on either sides. As these cuts heal, the tissues which surround the uvula, stiffen to prevent the vibrations that triggers snoring.

• Palatal implants: Also called the Pillar procedure, involves the insertion of small plastic implants into the soft palate which can help in preventing the collapse of the soft palate that can cause snoring.

• Somnoplasty: This procedure uses lower levels of radiofrequency heat to remove tissues of the uvula and soft palate that vibrate during snoring. The procedure takes about 30 minutes and is performed under local anaesthesia. 

Custom-fitted dental devices: Such custom fit devices and lower jaw-positioners help with keeping your airway open by bringing your lower jaw or your tongue forward when you are sleeping.