The term apnea refers to the momentary arrest of breathing due to the obstruction of the air flow to the lungs that can happen due to lung diseases, overweight, nasal obstruction and genetic factors, for example.
Apnea is usually noticed during sleep, being called sleep apnea, in which the person stops breathing for a few seconds or has very shallow breathing, which gives rise to snoring and makes sleep not very relaxing. Learn to recognize the symptoms of sleep apnea.
Main causes of apnea
Apnea happens due to dysregulation of the pharyngeal muscle, making it difficult for air to reach the lungs. This change in the pharynx can have several causes, the main ones being:
- Excessive enlargement of tonsils or adenoids; Overweight; Nasal obstruction; Lung diseases; Meningitis; Overdose; Heart problems; Genetics.
In addition, some factors may increase the person's risk of having apnea, the main ones being alcohol consumption, cigarette use and gastroesophageal reflux.
How the treatment is done
Apnea treatment should be done according to the cause, with changes in lifestyle habits usually being advised, such as quitting smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages, in addition to engaging in activities that combat obesity. In addition, if apnea is caused by enlarged tonsils or adenoids, removal by a surgical procedure may be recommended.
In some cases, it may be necessary to use an oxygen mask to facilitate the arrival of air in the lungs and facilitate breathing. Understand how apnea treatment is done.
