Positional obstructive sleep apnea
by Terry
Posted on 26-03-2020 10:43 PM
Positional obstructive sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious health condition defined by repeated slowing or stopping of breathing due to airway collapse. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissues of the upper air passage and tongue loosen up during sleep. When the muscles and tissues relax, they can block the circulation of air into the lungs. This can take place numerous times while you sleep, reducing your quality of sleep and making you feel tired during the day.
What is Positional Obstructive Sleep apnea?
Positional obstructive sleep apnea (POSA) happens when most of apneic occasions occur when an individual is in the supine sleep position, which is lying flat on their back. When someone is in the supine sleep position, the upper air passage is most likely to loosen up or collapse. The shape and size of your upper airway are likewise changed when you are supine. This combined with gravity increases the probability of blocking the airway.
As many as 50% of obstructive sleep apnea patients have positional obstructive sleep apnea, which indicates that their symptoms are even worse depending on their sleeping position.Even people with central sleep apnea are impacted by their sleeping position. A research study in 2005 found that their apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was decreased by 50% when the patient changed sleeping position. This means that their apneas (stops briefly in breath) decreased in frequency and length simply by sleeping differently.Turns out there is, in fact, a finest sleeping position for sleep apnea
The Risk of untreated Positional Obstructive Sleep apnea
The repeated low oxygen levels, elevated blood pressure, and heart rate can damage the body, straining the circulatory system and the heart.People with neglected sleep apnea including POSA have an increased risk of the following:
Stroke: Apneic occasions cause an increase in high blood pressure. Eventually, the nighttime rise in high blood pressure may persist into the daytime and lead to high blood pressure, which is a threat factor for a stroke.
Heart Attack: Proof exists that individuals with neglected sleep apnea might develop increased arterial tightness and have less heart rate irregularity, which can raise the risk of a heart attack.
Type 2 Diabetes: Sleep apnea is related to an increased threat of developing type 2 diabetes. Being over weight is a danger factor for both OSA and type 2 diabetes. According to research study, OSA is connected to glucose intolerance and insulin resistance independent of weight problems. The occurrence of sleep apnea in individuals with type 2 diabetes is about 71 percent.
Positional sleep apnea treatment
CPAP machine is considered the gold common sleep apnea treatment. However, patients with positional sleep apnea often do not do well with fixed-pressure CPAP. This is since they typically need a very low pressure when they are sleeping in the non-supine position however when they roll onto their backs, they need more pressure to keep the airway open.
Philips Nightbalance Lunoa is a sleep position treatment option for patients with positional obstructive sleep apnea. Nightbalance Lunoa is a palm-sized unit that is used around the chest in a soft, adjustable belt. Over the course of the night, it delivers mild vibrations to motivate a shift from sleeping on your back to sleeping on your side. It monitors your sleep positions and adjusts the strength of the vibrations as needed, without disrupting your sleep.