SERIOUS! Experts warn of the dangers of untreated sleep apnea

If you know someone who snores at night or if you suffer from it, know that it may not just be a habit, but a sign of apnea, which is a pause in breathing that occurs during sleep.

According to experts, snoring is classified only as a social disease, however, apnea is a serious disease, as it presents a risk of cardiovascular diseases and even Alzheimer’s, known as memory loss.

It is important to always be vigilant, as apnea can indeed pose health risks, but we must remember that not all snorers suffer from apnea.

Sleep specialist Gilberto Sitchin from the Instituto Paulista de Otorrinolaringologia comments on the subject:

“Snoring occurs when the airway is narrowed; in apnea, it is completely closed. There is poor oxygenation of the brain, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Years and years of apnea can also lead to memory loss and Alzheimer’s.”

Noises at night become more frequent as people age and are more common among obese people. It is estimated that 25% of men and 15% of women snore or have sleep apnea.

Arthur Castilho, an otorhinolaryngologist at the Hospital das Clínicas da Unicamp, also talks about the case: “In these cases there is an increase in the flaccidity of the tissues of the neck and oropharynx”.

Sitchin says it’s important to note a few symptoms such as feeling sleepy during the day and waking up feeling tired, as well as noticing your partner snoring during sleep.

“People with sleep apnea do not have a deep and restorative sleep, which is why they often experience excessive daytime sleepiness,” he explains. The doctor emphasizes that the diagnosis of the disease and its severity can be obtained through a polysomnography, a test that records habitual sleep.

Treatments

Treatment varies depending on the causes snoring and sleep apnea, in cases where the patient has nasal obstruction, treatment is through surgery to correct the nasal septum, patients with large tonsils can also have them removed through surgery.

For those who have sagging palate, the use of radiofrequency devices and tightening techniques are a good option. “However, snoring rarely has just one cause. It needs to be investigated,” says Sitchin.

There is also the option of undergoing laser treatment, but experts say that this technique causes pain for the patient when eating and even breathing.

“There are several techniques to reduce the size of the palate (roof of the mouth) or increase its rigidity. Using a laser to do either of these two things is feasible, but it is increasingly less used, as the post-operative pain is intense.”explains Castilho.

Weight loss

In certain cases, the medical recommendation is weight loss and the use of intraoral devices worn while the individual sleeps. However, for more serious cases, the solution is the continuous use of CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), a compressor that provides a continuous flow of air to the patient during sleep.