Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder that can lead to serious health problems, such as high blood pressure and heart trouble, if untreated. Untreated sleep apnea causes breathing to stop repeatedly during sleep, causing loud snoring and daytime tiredness, even with a full night’s sleep. Sleep apnea can affect anyone, but most often older men who are overweight                                  

TYPES OF SLEEP APNEA SYNDROME

Central and Obstructive (OSAS)

In central variety, the airways stay open, while the chest muscles and diaphragm stop working. This occurs mostly when the respiratory centres within the brain are impaired

Premature children, persons on tranquilizers are more prone to CSAS. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common category of sleep-disordered breathing. When sleeping, muscle tone of the throat and neck, as well as the vast majority of all skeletal muscles, is reduced allowing the tongue and soft palate/oropharynx to relax. In the case of sleep apnea, this impedes the flow of air to a degree ranging from light snoring to complete collapse.

Conditions Associated with OSAS.

• Enlarged tonsils or adenoids (EBV infections),
• Left palate,
• Downs syndrome,
• Treacher Collins syndrome,
• Pierre Robin Sequence etc.
• Obesity.

RISK FACTOR

• Most adults with sleep apnea are obese, with particular heaviness at face and neck.
• Men are more often affected than women.
• Children and toddlers with defects like Down syndrome, cleft palate etc.

SYMPTOMS OF SLEEP APNOEA SYNDROME

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Irritability
• Lack of concentration
• Sleep deprivation
• Increased blood pressure & Heart disease
• Increased frequency of nocturnal urination.
• Esophageal reflux and heavy breathing at night.

Obstructive sleep apnea symptoms:

• Loud snoring
• Daytime drowsiness
• Memory loss
• Limited attention
• Morning headaches
• Lethargy

Associated health problems

• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Pulmonary Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Kidney failure
• Metabolic syndrome
• Oxidative stress
• Sudden death

Sleep Deprivation due to Sleep Apnea and insufficient sleep are common and can present as insomnia, narcolepsy, or idiopathic hypersomnia (increased sleepiness). In infants and children sleep problems commonly present themselves as ADD or ADHD.

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR SLEEP APNOEA SYNDROME

LACHESIS : Useful for obstructive sleep apnea where a person wakes up frequently due to obstructed breathing. The person may need to sit up and needs to take a deep breath. Fear of going to sleep may also prevail among  them. Such subjects also cannot tolerate anything tight around their neck like collars.

AMMON CARB : Very useful for sleep apnoea syndrome with blocked nose at night, inability to breathe through the nose, waking with starting  on sleep. Excessive sleepiness during the daytime is also well noted.

AGRAPHIS NUTANS : Very useful for sleep apnoea syndrome with enlarged tonsils or enlarged adenoids with obstructive sleep apnea, obstruction of nose, tendency to take cold frequently.Also usefull for deafness or ear discharge may be present.

LEMNA MINOR : Very useful for sleep apnoea syndrome with stuffed nostrils from polyps.There is foul smell from the nose with thick yellow-white discharge from the nose.Also useful for snoring.

SANGUINERIA NITRICUM : Very useful for sleep apnoea syndrome with the dryness of  nostrils.Thee is yellow-bloody mucus discharge from the nose.There is profuse sneezing with burning in nostrils.There is desire for fresh air.Useful for poor/restless sleep. Also recommended for nasal turbinate hypertrophy if present.

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