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You’ve probably all heard the term "sleep apnea syndrome" at some point. Sleep apnea syndrome is a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops during sleep, and is sometimes called "SAS," an acronym for its English name, "Sleep Apnea Syndrome."
In the past, sleep apnea was considered nothing more than "loud snoring." However, as its relationship with various diseases, including cardiovascular disease, became clear, it came to be recognized as a very important medical condition.
Various Reasons Why Apnea Occurs During Sleep
During sleep, the airway in our nose and throat can become narrowed for various reasons.
For example, the following causes can be considered:
- Muscles relax during sleep, and the tongue falls back
- The nasal cavity is congenitally curved
- Hay fever or allergies cause swelling inside the nasal cavity, leading to nasal obstruction (stuffy nose)
When the airway in the nose and throat narrows like this, the sound produced is "snoring." And when this airway narrows further and finally becomes completely blocked, it leads to a state where breathing is impossible, which is apnea.
If Apnea Occurs 5 or More Times per Hour, Sleep Apnea Syndrome is Possible
If apnea lasting 10 seconds or more occurs less than 5 times per hour during sleep, it is considered within the normal range. Between 5 and 15 times, caution is advised. If it occurs 15 or more times, it is diagnosed as sleep apnea syndrome requiring treatment.
Among these, patients who experience apnea 30 or more times per hour are considered to have severe sleep apnea syndrome. Blood oxygen saturation tests in severe patients have shown that they fall into a hypoxic state during sleep, requiring oxygen inhalation.
What Causes Apnea to Occur Simultaneously with Snoring?
Many people may wonder, "Why does apnea occur simultaneously with snoring?" However, in reality, snoring is not causing the apnea; rather, snoring occurs as a result of the apneic state.
When the body enters a state of apnea, it tries to inhale air by any means possible to resolve this suffocating situation. Reflexively, it attempts to resolve the drooping tongue inside the mouth and open the trachea to breathe.
This is when loud snoring occurs. However, there is also snoring that is not accompanied by apnea. Snoring is often due to airway narrowing, and snoring is, so to speak, a precursor to sleep apnea, so caution is necessary.
The Causes of Apnea Differ Between Adults and Children
When apnea occurs during sleep in children, the danger level is the same as in adults, but the causes differ.
Snoring and apnea in children can be caused by congenital hypertrophy or other abnormalities of the nasal and pharyngeal lymphatic glands, and rarely by extreme obesity or congenital micrognathia.
These symptoms can not only lead to snoring and apnea but also potentially adversely affect a child's development, so prompt treatment is recommended.
What Measures Can Be Taken When Apnea Occurs Simultaneously with Snoring?
The fundamental cause of apnea is the obstruction of the trachea during sleep.
Relaxation of muscles during sleep causing the tongue to fall back, fat deposits around the throat and neck in obese individuals, and specific skeletal features such as a "small jaw" can also lead to sleep apnea syndrome and snoring.
In particular, Asians, including Japanese people, anatomically have smaller and recessed mandibles, resulting in a naturally narrower airway. Sleep apnea syndrome is not just a disease of overweight middle-aged and older men; it also affects children and women who are not obese.
To alleviate sleep apnea, your sleeping position is very important. It is recommended to sleep on your side or stomach rather than on your back, as these positions prevent the throat from becoming blocked.
You may also use a body pillow to maintain a side-lying position.
How to Treat Apnea at a Medical Institution?
Whether or not you have sleep apnea syndrome can be diagnosed at a specialized sleep clinic, or in specialized departments such as snoring clinics or sleep apnea clinics, or in an ENT clinic.
First, a simple monitor is attached for home testing. If the results are unclear, a polysomnography device is used for a 1-night, 2-day hospital test to make a comprehensive determination.
Once the cause of apnea is identified, treatment aligned with that cause will be provided, but there are various treatment methods, as listed below:
- Use of devices (mouthpiece or CPAP mask to apply positive airway pressure)
- Lifestyle improvements
- Guidance on sleeping position
- Reduced alcohol consumption
- Weight loss
Elderly individuals should be cautious as they may develop a more severe form of apnea, central sleep apnea syndrome, due to underlying conditions like heart failure or cerebral infarction.
Leaving Sleep Apnea Untreated is Dangerous
Leaving sleep apnea untreated can be dangerous, as it may be linked to serious medical conditions.
There are various causes of sleep apnea, and the measures to address it also differ depending on the cause. Therefore, why not start by getting examined by a specialist?
Finally
There is incredible data indicating that 40% of individuals with moderate to severe sleep apnea syndrome who leave it untreated die within 8-9 years.
The reason for this is that sleep apnea syndrome increases the risk of serious diseases such as myocardial infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, high blood pressure, and diabetes, which directly affect mortality rates, by 2-4 times compared to people without apnea.
However, with appropriate treatment (CPAP: pressurized mask during sleep), the mortality rate for these apnea patients becomes comparable to that of people without apnea.
While it is important to control the increase in medical expenses for the treatment of sleep disorders, Canadian data also suggests that for sleep apnea syndrome, if a diagnosis is made and appropriate treatment is initiated, the total medical expenses incurred by the individual can be halved.
The diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea syndrome are believed to not only extend healthy life expectancy but also lead to a reduction in medical costs. If you feel something is wrong, we recommend consulting a doctor at a medical institution immediately.
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