Obstructive sleep apnea and daytime-fatigue

Obstructive sleep apnea can lead to daytime fatigue

Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the commonest types of sleep apnea that could affect your overall health. In some instances, it can be very serious although in most instances, the problem can be relieved through simple life style adjustments. 
 

The underlying problem in obstructive sleep apnea is the excessive relaxation of the muscles in the back of your throat, which are expected to support the structures surrounding the airway entry. 

During sleep, these supportive structures may fall back on to the airway opening and block air from passing through. As a result, the oxygen levels within the circulation will drop and will signal to the brain regarding the inadequate air entry. This will signal the brain to wake you up and gasp for air. Such disruptions to your sleep might occur many times each hour although you do not realize or remember any such occurrence due to its briefness and the deep sleep that you are in.

If sleep apnea continues to exist, you will feel excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue, as you do not receive adequate sleep during the night. Apart from daytime sleepiness, you will not be able to concentration as you would have liked and may fall asleep during work. Children with sleep apnea will perform poorly at school and at times, not being able to concentrate or falling asleep during the daytime may prove dangerous depending on the work that you will be undertaking. 

Apart from daytime sleepiness, you may show symptoms like excessive or loud snoring, headaches specially in the morning, breathe cessation during sleeping, dry mouth and chest pain when awakening or even high blood pressure. However, many of these symptoms will not be observable by you as you will not be aware of its manifestation.

Sleep apnea is not a condition that manifest without a reason. In most instances, you will be having a risk factor that has been associated with obstructive sleep apnea. Among these risk factors, being overweight, having high blood pressure, presence of a narrow airway, having diabetes, large neck, smoking or consuming alcohol, can be highlighted. In addition, research have also pointed out that the obstructive sleep apnea is more common among males and among those who are having a family history of sleep apnea.