Sleep Apnea Vs. Hypopnea
Like sleep apnea, hypopnea can either be central or obstructive in origin. Obstructive hypopnea is similar to obstructive sleep apnea, but in hypopnea, the airway is only partially closed. Some of the causes of hypopnea include obesity, neuromuscular diseases, anatomical defects on the nasal passages, use of sedatives, drinking alcohol, smoking, and old age.
A person with hypopnea usually exhibits loud snoring with snorting and choking sounds, and long periods of silence afterwards. These are because of the difficulty in breathing, which can result to interrupted sleep and inadequate hours of sleep. During the day, a person with hypopnea feels very sleepy and is unable to concentrate on his work. There are also other symptoms like depression, forgetfulness, moodiness, nervousness, and headaches. When hypopnea is left untreated, it can result to serious cardiovascular problems like myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary heart disease, mental problems like memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and impotence.
Like sleep apnea, hypopnea can also be treated using a CPAP machine. However, milder cases of hypopnea can be solved by losing weight and avoiding sleeping on the back. Eliminating alcohol and sedatives in the system would also be helpful in reducing and eliminating hypopnea. There are other cases of hypopnea which need surgery in order to be corrected, although this option is usually the last resort when all else fails. The focus of the surgery may vary depending on how the hypopnea occurs. More complex cases of hypopnea may need surgery on the nasal bones or jaw.
Sleep disorders are very difficult to cope with because they affect the primary source of a human being’s rest, which results to the inability of the individual to receive the proper relaxation that his body needs. If you suspect that you or someone you care for has a sleep disorder, immediately seek the help of a medical professional in order to take action promptly. Remember, the human body is the most precious possession of an individual and he should do everything to keep it healthy and in good shape.
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