According to recent studies, a significant number of African Americans are suffering from sleep apnea and its effects. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of them have consulted a doctor about the issue and have been officially diagnosed. If you’ve been waking up tired even after sleeping all night then sleep apnea could be affecting you too.
The Definition of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that is characterized by periods of disrupted slumber because the person stops breathing. Depending on the cause of the disorder, you may or may not be aware that you stopped breathing. There are three types of sleep apnea:
Obstructive sleep apnea – This happens when the throat muscles relax during sleep and physically obstruct the passage. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of the disorder and persons are usually unaware that they stopped breathing because the body wakes briefly to resume breathing again.
Central sleep apnea – This form of the disorder is less common. It involves improper communication between the brain and breathing muscles. If you have central sleep apnea, you’re more likely to wake up fully during the night to start breathing again.
You May Also Like
Complex sleep apnea syndrome – This is the rarest form. In this disorder, the person is dealing with a combination of the two areas listed previously.
Persons who are overweight, have heart disease, or a narrowed airway are more likely to have sleep apnea. It’s also more common in males as well as those who are older, smoke, and regularly take opioid-based medication.
Typical Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
The symptoms of sleep apnea can vary from one person to the other. It’s also possible for a partner to notice them before the one who is experiencing the symptoms. Generally, these issues are related to the way sleep apnea interrupts the sleep cycle. To get the full benefits of a good night’s sleep, your body needs to go through the sleep phases including deep sleep.
When you stop breathing frequently at night, your body may not get to complete full sleep cycles. This disruption results in the following symptoms:
