nainital. Suddenly losing sleep in the silence of the night, unable to move the body, feeling breathless and feeling as if someone is putting pressure on the chest or throat, this experience can be scary for anyone. Many people ignore it by associating it with a bad dream, illusion or some supernatural incident. But according to medical experts, this condition can be a sign of a serious sleep related disease like Obstructive Sleep Apnea, which is very important to understand and get treated in time.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops while a person sleeps. This problem arises when the throat muscles become loose during sleep and the airway becomes partially or completely closed. Due to this, sufficient oxygen does not reach the lungs. When oxygen levels fall, the body suddenly wakes up from sleep to protect itself. During this time, the person may feel a feeling of suffocation, pressure or someone strangulating.
Main reason is increase in body weight
Dr. Abhishek Gupta, chest disease specialist of BD Pandey District Hospital, Nainital, says that there are many misconceptions among people regarding this problem. He told that, often patients say that they feel as if someone has pressed them during sleep, but in reality this is not the case. The main reason for this is increase in body weight and accumulation of fat around the neck. While sleeping, the tongue slips backwards and partially or completely blocks the respiratory tract. Dr. Gupta explains that when the respiratory tract is closed, the amount of carbon dioxide in the body increases and the level of oxygen decreases. This situation is a signal of danger to the body, due to which one suddenly wakes up. During this time, the person experiences rapid heartbeat, sweating, nervousness and a feeling of strangulation. If this situation is happening again and again, then taking it lightly can prove to be dangerous.
Disease can cause many big problems
Common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include loud and persistent snoring, difficulty breathing during sleep, headache upon waking up in the morning, fatigue throughout the day, drowsiness despite complete sleep, irritability and difficulty concentrating. In many cases, the patient himself does not realize that his breathing is stopping during sleep, but instead informs a family member about it. According to experts, if this disease is not treated on time, it can cause high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, diabetes and heart rhythm related problems. Prolonged lack of oxygen has a direct impact on the heart and brain, which can also increase the risk of life.
Regular exercise and balanced diet are necessary
Dr. Gupta explains that age and lifestyle also play an important role in this disease. Generally, this problem is seen more in men after 50 years of age, whereas in women, its risk increases after 40 years of age. Obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption and lack of physical activity further increase the risk of this disease. To prevent and control this, doctors emphasize on some important precautions. These include regular exercise, controlling weight and body fat, eating a balanced and healthy diet, avoiding heavy food or alcohol before sleeping and adopting the correct sleeping posture. In serious cases, special investigation and treatment may also be necessary on the advice of a doctor. He said that if a person is repeatedly experiencing suffocation, breathlessness or body stiffness during sleep, then he should not ignore it as fear or illusion, but should immediately contact a doctor. With timely identification and proper treatment, a serious disease like obstructive sleep apnea can be controlled and major health risks can be avoided in the future.
