Sleep Apnea: Causes, Prevention, and Natural Treatments

Sleep Apnea History

In 1918, Sir William Osler, a Canadian physician, first used the term "Pickwickian" to describe patients who were obese and hyper somnolent. The term is based on the overweight messenger boy Joe in Charles Dickens’s novel, The Pickwick Papers, who was always sleepy.

Around 1956, Dr. C. S. Burwell followed the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure, drowsiness, extreme fatigue, as well as airflow deficiency to the lungs and respiratory failure. He diagnosed these patients with Pickwick's Syndrome.

In 1965, a group of French and German doctors led by Dr.  Henri Gastaut recorded the breathing and sleep patterns of a patient with Pickwick's Syndrome and began researching what they called "Obstructive Sleep Apnea."

They discovered three distinct patterns in patients and classified them into three types: obstructive, central, and mixed sleep apnea.

In 1981, an Australian researcher, Dr. Colin Sullivan and his colleagues Berthon-Jones, Issa and Eves, developed a machine called Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) to treat OHSAS. It treated sleep apnea because an inverted vacuum cleaner motor blew air into the patient's nasal passage, using a tube to keep the airways open.

Initially, CPAP machines were large, bulky, and noisy. But by the late 1980s, the machines improved and soon people suffering from sleep apnea began to use them more frequently.

Sleep Apnea Causes

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs due to the obstruction of the respiratory tract that makes it difficult for someone to breathe properly.

The causes of sleep apnea include:

- Having a very large tongue and small or dorsal chin: a large tongue can prevent air from flowing from the throat to the lungs. Having a smaller chin or jaw reduces the amount of space for the tongue in the mouth, so the tongue moves back towards the throat, blocking the airway.

- Genetic predisposition: some individuals may have inherited sleep apnea if their parents or other family members also suffer from it. They may also have inherited features such as a narrow airway, a large tongue, small chin, or large tonsils, which might obstruct the passage of air to the lungs.

- Maxillomandibular hypoplasia: mandibular hypoplasia occurs when the bones in the jaw don’t develop properly in infants. If the lower jaw (mandible) is set further back than the upper jaw (maxilla), the tongue may cause an airway obstruction blocks the airflow to the lungs.

Sleep Apnea Risk Factors

Several factors can increase the risk of developing sleep apnea. These include:

- Obesity: people who are obese might have more fat accumulated around the upper airway may narrow the airway, interfering with breathing.

- Being male: men are two to three more times likely to develop sleep apnea compared to women.

- Being a woman post menopause: Post-menopausal women have a higher risk of developing sleep apnea because the upper airway may change after menopause. Women may also gain weight after menopause increase their risk of sleep apnea.

- Nasal congestion: nasal congestion makes breathing through the nose difficult and may increase the risk of sleep apnea if the nose is constantly blocked.

- Other medical conditions:  Having diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, allergies, asthma, and Parkinson’s disease increases a person’s risk of developing sleep apnea.

- Hypothyroidism: hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland isn’t producing enough thyroid hormones and can affect a person’s sleep and breathing patterns. It can disrupt the function of the throat muscles or enlarge the tongue, making it more difficult to breathe. Hypothyroidism increases the risk of weight gain and obesity, which can increase the risk of sleep apnea.

- Excessive alcohol consumption: excessive alcohol consumption relaxes the throat muscles which makes it harder for people to breathe normally.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Symptoms of sleep apnea can be very annoying to partners to an extent that it can prevent them from sleep. However, it can be quite hard for the person to tell if he or she has sleep apnea. Someone can stay with the patient while he or she is sleeping to check for symptoms.

Some common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea are:

• Snoring: people with sleep apnea snore or breathe noisily during sleep.

• Frequent nightly awakenings: people with sleep apnea wake up several times in the middle of the night because of obstructed breathing. They may wake up because they feel like they’re choking.

• Periods of not breathing during sleep: people with sleep apnea experience episodes of paused breathing during sleep.

• Cognitive disorders: people with sleep apnea may have cognitive disorders and may be unable to memorize things, concentrate, and pay attention because their brains didn’t get enough sleep and their brains don’t have an adequate supply of oxygen.

• Irritability: people with sleep apnea may experience mood changes, such as depression or irritability due to interrupted sleep.

• Fatigue and drowsiness: people with sleep apnea may be fatigued and drowsy because they wake up frequently at night.

• Morning headaches: people with sleep apnea suffer from morning headaches because of the lack of sleep at night.

Sleep Apnea Diagnosis

There are several methods used to diagnose sleep apnea, each designed to evaluate breathing patterns, airflow, and other vital indicators during sleep. Below are the main diagnostic types:

- Polysomnography (PSG): Polysomnography is the most comprehensive sleep study, usually conducted in a sleep lab or hospital. The patient is monitored overnight with sensors that record various physiological data such as brain activity, heart rate, oxygen levels, eye movements, muscle activity, and breathing patterns. PSG is considered the gold standard for diagnosing sleep apnea as it captures a wide range of metrics that help in identifying the type (obstructive or central) and severity of the condition.

- Home Sleep Apnea Test (HSAT): A home sleep apnea test is a more convenient alternative for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The patient uses a portable device at home that tracks breathing patterns, oxygen saturation, and airflow while they sleep. Though it is less detailed than polysomnography, it is useful for diagnosing moderate to severe OSA in patients who show strong symptoms. However, it is less effective in diagnosing central sleep apnea (CSA) and may not be suitable for complex cases.

- Oximetry: Oximetry is a simpler test that measures oxygen levels in the blood using a small sensor attached to a finger or earlobe. This test is not definitive but may be used as an initial screening tool. If oxygen levels drop frequently during sleep, it could indicate sleep apnea, prompting further testing through polysomnography or HSAT.

- Actigraphy: Actigraphy is a test that involves wearing a small device, typically on the wrist, that monitors movement and activity patterns to estimate sleep cycles. While not specific to sleep apnea, it can provide additional insight into disrupted sleep patterns and help support a diagnosis, especially when combined with other tests.

A dentist can often be the first to notice signs of sleep apnea, especially if they specialize in dental sleep medicine. Dentists may observe physical symptoms such as worn teeth from grinding (bruxism), a small jaw, or a large tongue, which can be linked to obstructive sleep apnea. They may also assess the airway and throat structure during routine examinations. While dentists cannot definitively diagnose sleep apnea, they can refer patients for a formal sleep study if they suspect the condition. Additionally, dentists can help manage OSA by providing oral appliances that adjust the position of the jaw or tongue to keep the airway open during sleep.

Natural Treatments for Sleep Apnea

There are many natural solutions for sleep apnea. Some can help strengthen the muscles of the soft palate and reduce muscular tension in the neck, while others work on improving respiration.

Click on natural treatments for sleep apnea to find a detailed list of all the natural solutions to treat it, including various natural therapies, diet programs, alternative medicine, vitamins, supplements, herbal medicine, and home remedies. You can also use www.aposbook.com to find all natural treatments for any other condition.

Meanwhile, a person can use a combination of these natural solutions for more effective treatment to help overcome several issues and reduce sleep apnea symptoms. These might include:

- Physical treatments: Physical treatments work on the neck adjustment to support the muscle in the area. This helps reduce tension and improve breathing. Other treatments help manage the flow of energy in the body and relax the person to promote good sleep. For example, breathing exercises help improve breathing and reduce tension around the throat, nose, and neck.

- Herbs and plants: Some herbs such as lobelia act as a respiratory stimulant. Lobelia can maintain deep steady breathing in patients with sleep apnea to avert a dangerous drop in blood oxygen levels that occurs because some of the body’s muscles are relaxed. Other herbs such as thyme improve the ability of the lungs to exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen and help maintain the blood’s oxygen levels.

Medical Treatment for Sleep Apnea

For milder cases of sleep apnea, doctors may only recommend lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or quitting smoking.

However, if sleep apnea is moderate to severe, a number of treatments are available. Some of those treatments include:

- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP): Continuous positive airway pressure is a machine that delivers air pressure through a mask while sleeping. The air pressure is greater than that of the surrounding air and keeps a patient’s upper airway passages open, preventing apnea and snoring.

- Oral appliances: Wearing an oral appliance is another option to keep a patient’s throat open.  A CPAP is more effective than oral appliances, but oral appliances are easier to use.

- Supplemental oxygen: This airflow device provides the patient with oxygen that might help if the individual has central sleep apnea.

- Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV): This airflow device is more advanced and efficient than the supplemental oxygen. It continuously monitors the breathing status of the individual and stores the information in a built-in computer. After the patient falls asleep, the machine uses a special algorithm to normalize the patient’s breathing pattern and prevent pauses in breathing.

In some rare instances of severe sleep apnea, doctors perform surgeries to treat it. Some of the surgeries include:

- Tracheostomy: This surgery entails inserting a plastic tube through the neck into the windpipe to allow more air to flow through the airways.

- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP or UP3): During this surgery, doctors may remove certain tissues that include the uvula, soft palate, and tonsils to allow more airspace.

More recently, less invasive procedures have been developed including maxillomandibular advancement that moves the upper and lower jaw forward to allow for greater airspace.

- Hypoglossal nerve stimulator: During this surgery, a device is implanted in the chest wall, stimulating the hypoglossal nerve. The hypoglossal nerve controls the tongue. In sleep apnea, the tongue is relaxed, so this surgery contracts the tongue causing it to move out of the way, preventing the obstruction of the airway.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sleep Apnea

1. What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This occurs when the throat muscles intermittently relax and block the airway (obstructive sleep apnea) or when the brain fails to send signals to the muscles that control breathing (central sleep apnea).

2. What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

The most common symptoms include loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, excessive daytime fatigue, difficulty staying asleep (insomnia), and morning headaches. In severe cases, it can lead to cardiovascular issues.

3. What causes sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is caused by factors such as excess weight, smoking, nasal congestion, and the natural aging process, which can cause the airway muscles to weaken. Central sleep apnea may be linked to heart disorders or conditions that affect brain function.

4. Who is at risk for developing sleep apnea?

Risk factors include being overweight, having a thick neck circumference, being male, older age, a family history of sleep apnea, and conditions like hypertension or type 2 diabetes.

5. How is sleep apnea diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically involves a sleep study, either through polysomnography (overnight monitoring at a sleep clinic) or a home sleep apnea test. These tests measure breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and other indicators during sleep.

6. What are the complications of untreated sleep apnea?

Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems like hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and depression. It can also impair cognitive function and increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents due to daytime fatigue.

7. Can sleep apnea be treated naturally?

Yes, natural treatments for sleep apnea include lifestyle changes such as weight loss, positional therapy (sleeping on your side), regular exercise, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol before bed. Some people also find relief through breathing exercises like Buteyko or pranayama.

8. Are there any herbal remedies for sleep apnea?

Certain herbs, like valerian root and chamomile, can help improve sleep quality, though they don't directly treat apnea. Magnesium supplements may also aid muscle relaxation, potentially reducing the severity of obstructive sleep apnea symptoms.

9. What dietary changes can help with sleep apnea?

A healthy diet focused on weight management can reduce the severity of sleep apnea. Anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help, while foods that cause mucus buildup or inflammation (e.g., processed foods, high-fat dairy) should be avoided.

10. Can sleep apnea be managed without a CPAP machine?

In some cases, sleep apnea can be managed without a CPAP machine through weight loss, oral appliances that adjust the jaw, positional therapy, and lifestyle changes. However, for moderate to severe cases, CPAP therapy remains the most effective treatment.