4.14 : 수면 무호흡증

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops, with each pause potentially lasting for at least 10 seconds.

Sleep apnea primarily affects overweight individuals, but anyone exhibiting symptoms such as loud snoring should seek medical evaluation.

There are two types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea, which is more common and occurs when the throat muscles relax and block the upper airway, and central sleep apnea, which occurs when the brain fails to send the correct signals to breathe.

Insufficient oxygen and excessive carbon dioxide from sleep apnea can cause night sweats, weight gain, fatigue, and irregular heartbeats, increasing the risk of dementia. These effects also impair daytime alertness and job performance and increase the risk of accidents.

Treatments for sleep apnea involve lifestyle changes such as losing weight, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, quitting smoking, sleeping on one's side, and maintaining a regular sleep schedule.

Additionally, using a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP device, which pumps air to keep the airway open during sleep, is also recommended.