“Early to rise, early to bed, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and dead.” — James Thurber, American Cartoonist

Say that you’re asleep at night. Your bed feels heavenly, and you are lost in a deep slumber. You’re dreaming of amazing things, and you’ve never slept this peacefully ever before in your life…

However, suddenly, you start feeling uncomfortable. What’s wrong? Something’s amiss. That’s when you realise that you’re struggling to breathe.

This is the reality for those people who suffer from Sleep Apnea. It is a disorder that causes pauses in breath while sleeping. These pauses can last for several seconds, or can really be brief.

This leads to disruption of sleep, along with a plethora of other health problems.

Approximately 30% of Indians suffer from Sleep Apnea. So roughly, 1 in 3 people suffer from the same. 

What are the Causes of Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is one of the most common types faced by people. It occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax and block the airway. It can be caused by:

• Alcohol.

• Smoking.

• Neck size.

• Jaw structure.

• Heart disease.

• Family history.

• Excessive weight.

• Specific medications.

• Neurological disorders.

• Large tonsils or adenoids.

• Postmenopausal hormones in women.

What are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

• Choking while breathing during sleep.

• Waking up drenched in sweat.

• Waking up frequently at night.

• Loud snoring while sleeping.

• Difficulty concentrating.

• High blood pressure.

• Restless sleep.

• Headaches.

• Irritability.

How to Diagnose Sleep Apnea?

Visit a medical professional to get a proper assessment of your condition. More often than not, they recommend a home sleep study. 

You can contact us at +91 8100 334353 (India). We’re available on WhatsApp so that anyone and everyone from all across the globe can reach out to us for a reliable consultation to better evaluate your situation.

This includes wearing a portable device at home to monitor your breathing, heart rate, as well as oxygen levels while sleeping. However, this is suitable for those with mild Sleep Apnea.

For more severe cases, they recommend conducting tests in a sleep lab, where the environmental conditions are controlled in order to analyse your sleep pattern.

Certain tests such as Polysomnography, which monitors physiological parameters such as brain waves, Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), which assess your daytime sleepiness, and Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), which tests how long you can stay awake in a quiet environment, can also help assess the situation. 

We do PSG at home, so you can contact us at +91 8100 334353 for more information (we’re available on WhatsApp).

Case Study: Chris Hemsworth

Who hasn’t heard of the famous actor Chris Hemsworth? You know, Thor from Marvel? Aren’t we all enthralled with his ‘oh-so-mighty hammer’?

However, even he is susceptible to health conditions.

In 2019, he was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea.

He went through a sleep study, and was eventually prescribed a CPAP machine.

A CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, machine works by blowing a steady stream of air through a mask.

What are Some Home Treatment Options?

There’s no specific cure for Sleep Apnea, however, with proper techniques you can manage it better.

• Lose weight with regular exercise.

• Quit smoking as it irritates the airways.

• Limit consumption of alcohol and sedatives.

• Avoid consumption of heavy meals at night.

• Raise your head by 4-6 inches while sleeping.

• Sleeping on your side can help clear the airway.

• Wear nasal strips which keep the nostrils wide open.

• Inhaling essential oils such as Eucalyptus oil can help. 

• Consuming Ashwagandha can help soothe and calm nerves.

• Sarpagandha is another herbal medicine which promotes sleep.

• Ensure that your sleep environment is cool, dark and comfortable.

• Stay away from allergies as they are known to trigger Sleep Apnea.

• Wear custom made mouthguards to keep your jaw in proper position.

Conclusion

No matter what you read, always consult a medical practitioner before implementing any steps. Sleep Apnea can turn serious if avoided or treated incorrectly. However, it can be managed at home with ease using proper techniques and equipment.

“I love to sleep. Do you? Isn’t it great? It really is the best of both worlds. You get to be alive and unconscious.” — Rita Rudner,   

Sleep tight!