Cases of sleep apnea has increased recently. However, many ignore its warning signs. Dr N Ramakrishnan answers five questions on sleep apnea.
Published Sep 01, 2024 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 01, 2024 | 7:00 AM
Sleep expert Dr N Ramakrishnan
Modern lifestyles, working night shifts, obesity, excessive screen time, lack of exercise, and stress are all known to affect how well one sleeps.
A good night’s sleep is vital for allowing the brain – which functions even as one sleeps – to remember what one has learnt; proteins that cause Azheimer’s are also drained by the brain during sleep. It is while one is asleep that the blood vessels and the immune system undergo repairs. There is now, within medicine, a special branch that studies sleep.
India’s first board-certified somnologist or sleep expert, Dr N Ramakrishnan, senior consultant in the Critical Care and Sleep Medicine department of Apollo Hospital, Chennai, spoke to South First about the condition called sleep apnea, that, left untreated, could result in severe health complications. Edited excerpts:
Q: What is sleep apnea?
A: Sleep apnea is a very common disorder that’s often ignored. It typically presents with snoring, which many people may not be aware of about themselves. It is usually noticed by their bed partners. In sleep apnea, the air movement through your air passage is obstructed for various reasons, often due to the collapsing of the muscles of the air passage, reducing air entry to the lungs. This leads to episodes where breathing stops (apnea) or slows down (hypopnea), causing the oxygen level to drop, which can affect the body in various ways.
Q: What are the warning signs of sleep apnea?
A: The warning signs can be categorised into nighttime and daytime symptoms. At night, snoring is a predominant symptom, sometimes accompanied by choking or waking up with a dry mouth due to mouth breathing. Frequent nighttime urination can also be a sign.
Daytime symptoms are crucial; people might not feel refreshed after sleeping, experience morning headaches, daytime fatigue, sleepiness during meetings or even while driving, which is dangerous. If someone experiences these symptoms, especially combined with snoring, they should get checked for sleep apnea.
Q: How do we differentiate between regular snoring and snoring that indicates a serious condition like sleep apnea?
A: Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but everyone with sleep apnea will snore. If snoring is accompanied by observed pauses in breathing or choking, this suggests sleep apnea. Daytime symptoms like headaches, irritability, and sleepiness further indicate sleep apnea. Obesity is a risk factor, but in India, we also see non-obese sleep apnea cases due to specific facial structures. Measurements like neck and waist circumference can be more indicative of risk than general obesity.
Q: What are some precautions those diagnosed with sleep apnea should take?
A: People with sleep apnea should focus on consistent treatment, even when travelling. Using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine can significantly reduce the risks associated with untreated sleep apnea. Travelers should carry their CPAP devices and avoid alcohol, which can worsen the condition. Untreated sleep apnea poses risks such as heart problems and should be taken seriously, not just during travel but in everyday life.
(Edited by Rosamma Thomas).
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