Sleep apnea is a serious disorder that can cause sudden death.
According to Healthline, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder in which the body stops breathing for more than 10 seconds or repeatedly reduces air during the night. Accompanying OSA is snoring, excessive daytime sleep.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, sleep apnea is divided into two categories: obstructive and central.
Of these, obstructive sleep apnea is more common, occurring with repeated episodes of one or all of the upper airways during sleep. During apnea, the diaphragm and chest muscles work harder due to increased pressure to open the airways. As a result, the patient often gasps or jerks his body. This can cause them to sleep restlessly, reduce the flow of oxygen to vital organs, and cause an irregular heartbeat.
Sleep apnea is a condition in which the body stops breathing for more than 10 seconds or reduces air repeatedly during the night.
According to CNN, it is estimated that at least 25 million Americans and 936 million people worldwide may have obstructive sleep apnea, in particular, many cases are unaware they are experiencing this condition.
In addition, people who are overweight or obese (BMI of 35 or more) often have sleep apnea because the mass in the mouth, tongue, and neck flattens soft tissue, making it more difficult for them to breathe.
As we age, muscles weaken, including the mouth and palate. As a result, people over the age of 50 have a higher risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea. A recent study shows that this condition in the elderly is on a downward trend to mild to moderate. Meanwhile, severe cases occurred in the younger group.