Obstructive sleep apnea is a potentially serious disorder marked by a partial or complete blockage in the airways while you are fast asleep at night. The condition is serious because it can restrict the flow of oxygen in the body as a result of which you are quite likely to wake up gasping for air. As this happens, there is an additional strain on your diaphragm and chest muscles to open the airways and allow the normal flow of air. Frequent episodes of sleep apnea can lead to permanent damage and even result in cardiac arrhythmias. In this blog, we have tried to elaborate on a few facts related to sleep apnea with the help of the top pulmonologist in Gurgaon.
Fact 1 - Men are more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea as compared to women and the problem is even more common in middle-aged men. The risks of a woman developing obstructive sleep apnea significantly rise after she hits menopause. This could be partially due to the decrease in various reproductive hormones, especially estrogen, as well as due to the fact that many women tend to gain weight as this happens.
Fact 2 - Obstructive sleep apnea can prove to be life-threatening and while many people think that regular snoring is not something to worry about, we suggest you go and see a doctor immediately if you have been experiencing the problem lately. The condition has been linked to serious problems like stroke, blood pressure, heart failure, diabetes and heart attack. This is the reason why experts from the pulmonology hospital in Gurgaon emphasize early treatment and care.
Fact 3 - A person suffering from obstructive sleep apnea can present with many symptoms apart from snoring. Many people believe that snoring is the only indication of the condition however it is important to understand that it is only one of the indications and there are many more that you need to look out for. Just like a person with the problem of snoring may not necessarily have obstructive sleep apnea, one who does not have the problem may not be immune to it. So it is important that you look out for other symptoms like daytime fatigue, difficulty in falling asleep, waking up frequently at night gasping for air, and so on.
Fact 4 - Obstructive sleep apnea can contribute to unhealthy weight gain. Obesity is one of the greatest risk factors for the condition, however, you will be surprised to know that even obstructive sleep apnea can lead to excessive weight gain. Many people suffering from the problem tend to experience difficulty in falling asleep at night and when you are awake, it's quite natural to munch on some snacks, and as we all know, nighttime snaking has been linked with obesity.
Fact 5 - In many cases, patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea are not diagnosed. One of the major reasons behind this is that many people tend to believe that if they go to bed early and sleep for around 6 to 8 hours every day, they are having a healthy sleep cycle. In fact, those who sleep alone or do not share their bedroom with a partner might not even realize that they have a problem of snoring. It is due to this very reason that people do not go for timely medical assessment, as a result of which they are either diagnosed late or may remain undiagnosed for the rest of their lives.
Fact 6 - If you have obstructive sleep apnea, you are very likely to feel tired during the day. Daytime fatigue is one of the major indications of obstructive sleep apnea, and it may be experienced even if you are getting the perfect amount of sleep. Your mind will be hazy all day long and it may even affect your behaviour and mood.
If you think that you have obstructive sleep apnea, and are looking for the best pulmonologist in Gurgaon Haryana, visit us today.
Dr. Bandana Mishra, Head of the Department and Senior Consultant
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