Obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by the momentary interruption of breathing while sleeping.
Establishing the etymological origin of the term apnea leads us to go to Greek since it comes from that language. This is made up of the sum of two perfectly delimited parts: the prefix – a which is equivalent to “ negation ” and the verb pnein which can be translated as “breathe”.
Apnea is a disease of the respiratory system whose symptom is the interruption of breathing for at least ten seconds. According to its characteristics, this difficulty can be divided into three types: obstructive (determined by a respiratory effort generated by the absence of breathing), central (produced by both the lack of effort and the respiratory signal) and mixed (generated from the combination of central and obstructive apnea).
Obstructive sleep apnea
This syndrome has also been defined as obstructive sleep apnea , because it manifests itself while the person who suffers from it is sleeping. For this reason, it is common for those who suffer from this disease to be unable to rest properly since, due to a lack of oxygen, the brain is forced to interrupt sleep in order to recover its respiratory rhythm. Morning headaches, pulmonary hypertension and heart problems are some of the ailments caused by apnea.
Excessive sleepiness, chronic fatigue, various respiratory disorders or psychological disorders, such as nervous depression or anxiety, are some of the main symptoms that indicate that a person is suffering from this clinical condition, which is also known as apnea syndrome. -hypopnea during sleep.
However, we must not forget that there are also cardiovascular symptoms that can warn that someone is suffering from this pathology. Specifically, these include angina pectoris, high blood pressure, cerebral infarction or myocardial infarction.
Freediving is an aquatic activity that consists of diving without a snorkel or oxygen tube.
Possible treatments
Among the apnea treatments are the continuous supply of pressurized air (injects air that eliminates the blockage, through a compressor, a hose and a mask), mandibular advancement devices (they work if the source of the obstruction is the base of the tongue ) and surgeries (an otorhinolaryngologist must consider whether surgical intervention is recommended or not).
And all of this without forgetting that when a patient with apnea undergoes treatment, it is also necessary for them to comply with a series of basic rules to ensure that said treatment has the expected effect. Among the most important rules are strictly following a very healthy and balanced diet in order to, in this way, be able to lose weight.
In addition to all this, it is also required to stop smoking in the event that the person who has apnea has this vice and finally also eliminate the intake of alcohol as well as medications such as sedatives that are used to relax the system. highly strung.
Freediving as a water sport
On the other hand, the term apnea has also been used to give its name to a sport that is characterized by diving in the depths of the sea with pure lungs , that is, without traditional equipment such as snorkeling.
Given its particularities, this discipline requires a great power of mental relaxation, good nutrition, optimal hydration, the development of mammalian reflexes in humans and training in anoxia environments.