HOMOEOPATHY FOR OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

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Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder in which an individual’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Symptoms include daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, and restless sleep.

There are several types of sleep apnea, but the most common is obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is potentially serious sleep disorder. It causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep. This type of apnea occurs when the throat muscles intermittently relax and block airway during sleep. A noticeable sign of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring.

Around 1 in 5 adults have mild symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, while in 1 in 15 have moderate-to-severe symptoms. Menopausal and postmenopausal women have an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea. 

While sleep apnea is more prevalent in those aged 50 years and above, it can affect of all ages, including children.

SYMPTOMS

Signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:

·         Excessive daytime sleepiness

·         Loud snoring

·         Observed episodes of stopped breathing during sleep

·         Abrupt awakening accompanied by gasping or choking

·         Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat

·         Morning headache

·         Difficulty concentrating during the day

·         Experiencing mood changes , such as depression or irritability

·         High blood pressure

·         Nightmare sweating

·         Decreased libido

CAUSES

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of throat relax too much to allow normal breathing. These muscles support structures including the back of the roof of mouth , soft palate, the triangular piece of tissue hanging from the soft palate, uvula, the tonsils and the tongue.

When the muscles relax, airway narrows or closes as breath in and breathing may be inadequate for 10 seconds or longer. This may lower the level of oxygen in blood and cause a buildup of carbon dioxide.

The brain senses the impaired breathing and briefly rouses from sleep so that difficult to reopen airway. This awakening is usually so brief that do not remember it.

The person can awaken with shortness of breath that corrects itself  quickly, within one or two deep breaths. He may make a snoring , choking or gasping sound.

This pattern can repeat itself 5-30 times or more each hour, all night long. These disruptions impair the ability to reach the desired deep, restful phases of sleep, and the person will feel sleepy during waking hours.

RISK FACTORS

Anyone can develop obstructive sleep apnea. However, certain factors put you at increased risk, including:

·         Excess weight. Most but not all people with obstructive sleep apnea are overweight. Fat deposits around the upper airway may obstruct breathing. Medical conditions that are associated with obesity, such as hypothyroidism and polycystic ovary syndrome, also can cause obstructive sleep apnea.

However, not everyone with obstructive sleep apnea is overweight and vice versa. Thin people can develop the disorder, too.

·         Narrowed airway. You may inherit naturally narrow airways. Or your tonsils or adenoids may become enlarged, which can block your airway.

·         High blood pressure (hypertension). Obstructive sleep apnea is relatively common in people with hypertension.

·         Chronic nasal congestion. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs twice as often in those who have consistent nasal congestion at night, regardless of the cause. This may be due to narrowed airways.

·         Smoking. People who smoke are more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea.

·         Diabetes. Obstructive sleep apnea may be more common in people with diabetes.

  • Sex. In general, men are twice as likely as premenopausal women to have obstructive sleep apnea. The frequency of obstructive sleep apnea increases in women after menopause.
  • A family history of sleep apnea. If you have family members with obstructive sleep apnea, you may be at increased risk.
  • Asthma. Research has found an association between asthma and the risk of obstructive sleep apnea.

COMPLICATIONS

Obstructive sleep apnea is considered a serious medical condition. Complications may include:

·         Daytime fatigue and sleepiness. The repeated awakenings associated with obstructive sleep apnea make normal, restorative sleep impossible.

People with obstructive sleep apnea often experience severe daytime drowsiness, fatigue and irritability. They may have difficulty concentrating and find themselves falling asleep at work, while watching TV or even when driving. They may also be at higher risk of work-related accidents.

Children and young people with obstructive sleep apnea may do poorly in school and commonly have attention or behavior problems.

·         Cardiovascular problems. Sudden drops in blood oxygen levels that occur during obstructive sleep apnea increase blood pressure and strain the cardiovascular system. Many people with obstructive sleep apnea develop high blood pressure (hypertension), which can increase the risk of heart disease.

 The more severe the obstructive sleep apnea, the greater the risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart failure and stroke.

Obstructive sleep apnea increases the risk of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). These abnormal rhythms can lower blood pressure. If there's underlying heart disease, these repeated multiple episodes of arrhythmias could lead to sudden death.

  • Complications with medications and surgery. Obstructive sleep apnea also is a concern with certain medications and general anesthesia. These medications, such as sedatives, narcotic analgesics and general anesthetics, relax your upper airway and may worsen your obstructive sleep apnea.

If you have obstructive sleep apnea, you may experience worse breathing problems after major surgery, especially after being sedated and lying on your back. People with obstructive sleep apnea may be more prone to complications after surgery.

Before you have surgery, tell your doctor if you have obstructive sleep apnea or symptoms related to obstructive sleep apnea. If you have obstructive sleep apnea symptoms, your doctor may test you for obstructive sleep apnea prior to surgery.

  • Eye problems. Some research has found a connection between obstructive sleep apnea and certain eye conditions, such as glaucoma. Eye complications can usually be treated.
  • Sleep-deprived partners. Loud snoring can keep those around you from getting good rest and eventually disrupt your relationships. Some partners may even choose to sleep in another room. Many bed partners of people who snore are sleep deprived as well.

People with obstructive sleep apnea may also complain of memory problems, morning headaches, mood swings or feelings of depression, and a need to urinate frequently at night (nocturia).

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance  at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When obstructive sleep apnea   is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy , but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical symptoms

AGRAPHIS NUTANS:  Sleep  apnea due to obstruction of the nostrils from enlarged adenoids , enlarged tonsils, throat deafness. Catarrhal conditions and obstruction of nostrils. Throat and ear troubles with a tendency to free discharge from mucous membranes.

AMMONIUM CARBONICUM:  Stoppage of nose at night with long continued coryza. Cannot breathe through nose. Sleepiness during day . Starts from sleep strangling.

ASPIDOSPERMA: Considered as the digitalis of lungs. Removes temporaory obstruction to the oxidation of the blood by stimulating respiratory centers, increasing oxidation and excretion of carbonic acid.

GRINDELIA ROGUSTA:  Wheezing and oppression in chest. Stops sleep when falling asleep, wakes  with a start and gasps for breath. Cannot breath when lying down.

LEMNA MINOR:  Obstruction nostrils from nasal polyps. Nostrils plugged by swollen turbinates. Putrid smell from nose. Very abundant crust and muco-purulent discharge from nose. Snoring during sleep.

OPIUM:  Suffocate on falling asleep. Sleepy but cannot go to sleep. Snore deeply. Stertorous  breathing and deep snoring.  Great drowsiness.

SAMBUCUS NIGRA:  Obstruction of nose with accumulation of thick and viscid mucus in nostrils. Dry coryza of children. Sudden suffocation or strangling on falling to sleep or waking him at midnight with violent sweat. Child awakes suddenly, nearly suffocating , sits up, turns blue. Frequent waking during sleep with a start with obstructed respiration.

SANGUINARIA NITRICUM:  Nose feels obstructed  from nasal polyps. Profuse watery mucus with burning pain in nose. Enlarged turbinates at beginning of hypertrophic process. Dryness of nose. Nostrils plugged with thick, yellow , bloody mucus.



 

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