Neurology

Track 17: Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a genuine rest issue that happens when an individual's breathing is intruded on during rest. Individuals with untreated rest apnea quit breathing over and again during their rest, in some cases many occasions. This implies the brain - and the remainder of the body - may not get sufficient oxygen.

There are two kinds of rest apnea:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): The more normal of the two types of apnea, it is brought about by a blockage of the aviation route, generally when the delicate tissue toward the rear of the throat falls during rest.
• Central sleep apnea: Unlike OSA, the aviation route isn't impeded, yet the mind neglects to flag the muscles to inhale, because of flimsiness in the respiratory control place.

Sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, even children. Risk factors for sleep apnea include:

• Being male
• Being overweight
• Being over age 40
• Having a large neck size (17 inches or greater in men and 16 inches or greater in women)
• Having large tonsils, a large tongue, or a small jaw bone
• Having a family history of sleep apnea
• Nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum, allergies, or sinus problems