Sleep Apnea: Symptoms, Disorders, and What You Need to Know

Sleep Apnea: Wednesday, the White House disclosed that the Vice President has been using a CPAP machine, which is used to treat sleep apnea, to get a better night’s sleep. 2008 medical records indicate that 80-year-old Biden is one of nearly 30 million Americans with sleep apnea.

White House officials told CBS News that “he used a CPAP machine last night,” which is typical for someone with his background. Learn everything about the sleep disorder here.

What Is Apnea Sleep?

The American Medical Association defines sleep apnea as a disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and resumes during sleep. Men are more likely than women to be obese, which is a risk factor. Certain behaviours and practises may increase the likelihood of developing sleep apnea.

There are two categories of sleep apnea: obstructive and central. According to the National Institutes of Health, the most prevalent form of sleep apnea occurs when the upper airway repeatedly closes during sleep. In contrast, central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send the correct signals to the respiratory system.

The disorder has been associated with a number of adverse health effects, including sleep disturbances. “Not only is obstructive sleep apnea bad in and of itself, but these constant physiologic insults to your body put you at risk for other diseases later in life,” explains Nunez.

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Sleep Apnea Symptoms

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) lists daytime drowsiness, nocturnal awakenings, dry mouth, and headaches as sleep apnea symptoms. Your partner may observe certain symptoms, such as irregular breathing, loud snoring, and gasping for air while sleeping. According to Nunez, wheezing is one of the most common yet distinct warning signs to watch out for.

Disorders

Sleep apnea is treated with respiratory devices such as CPAP (continuous positive air pressure) machines. A CPAP system delivers air through the nose and mouth to maintain open ventilation during sleep. Many people, according to Nunez, continue to believe that CPAP machines are the cumbersome, noisy devices of the past.

Alterations to one’s lifestyle, such as losing weight or giving up alcohol or tobacco, may also be suggested. If these non-invasive therapies fail, surgery may be the next best option for sleep apnea treatment. If your doctor suspects you have sleep apnea, he or she may recommend a sleep study. Ed O’Keefe and Gabrielle Ake contributed to this report as well.

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