What is obstructive sleep apnea? ICD 10 states that this one of many sleep disorders that can cause other health concerns if left untreated. This article will talk about sleep apnea and its symptoms. If you think you may have this obstructive sleep disorder, please visit Sleep Clinic Melbourne today.

What is obstructive sleep apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common sleep disorder that affects people all over the world. This disorder involves the partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway. The blockage is usually caused by loose muscles and tissues that relax when a person falls asleep.

The most severe part of having obstructive sleep apnea is that the oxygen saturation levels in the blood get drastically lower when the airway is blocked. Extremely loud snoring is also another sign that a person may have obstructive sleep apnea.

How to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea

It may be tough to self-diagnose sleep disorders because a person has to be asleep when symptoms are being shown. However, the most common symptom is when their own loud snore awakes a person, they most likely have one of the sleep disorders.

There are other ways to tell if you have obstructive sleep apnea. Here is a list of the different ways to know if you have obstructive sleep apnea.

Sudden gasping for air

If you suddenly gasp for air or wake up to a choking feeling in the middle of your sleep, it may mean that you had an obstructive sleep episode. This can be very dangerous if it does not get properly diagnosed and goes untreated.

Intermittent breathing

Having intermittent and irregular breathing during sleep is also a sign of obstructive sleep apnea.

Drowsiness and fatigue during waking hours

If you feel more tired than you did when you went to sleep in the first place, it may be because of the irregular breathing patterns you had during the sleep.

Remedies for sleep apnea

If a person is diagnosed with sleep apnea, there are many ways by which they can solve this medical issue.

CPAP machine

CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure/Power. This is a type of airway ventilator that provides a steady flow of mild air pressure continuously to a patient. A CPAP machine helps a person who has sleep apnea breathe continuously as they sleep. This reduces the risk of the lack of oxygen flow through the body.

Mouthguards

Sleep mouth guards are used to hold the loose muscles, tissues, and tongue in place as the person sleeps. A mouth guard that helps with sleep disorders can be bought at your local pharmacy, or it may also be custom-made at the dentist’s office.

Surgery

As a last resort, surgery can be done to remove the loose skin and tissues that obstruct the airway as a person sleeps.

Lose weight

Most people who have extra muscles and tissues that can potentially block their airway as they sleep are overweight or obese. Losing weight can also help a person avoid have obstructive sleep disorders.

Avoid the consumption of alcohol

The consumption of alcohol, especially in times that are very close to bedtime, can cause the tissues and muscles near the airway to relax. Making a lifestyle change to stop drinking alcohol right before going to sleep can make a big difference.

Do you think you have an obstructive sleep disorder?

If you have family members or a partner who sleeps in the same bed with you who complains about your snoring, there may be a chance that you may suffer from sleep disorders. The right thing to do will be to approach your doctor about it if you suspect that you suffer from sleep disorders.

If you have obstructive sleep apnea, ICD 10 can help you understand the disease more. It may be a good idea to read more about the condition so that once you go to the doctor, you will be more well-versed about the terms.

Keep in mind that there are many ways to help you get over obstructive sleep apnea. ICD 10 and your doctor can help you better understand the disease you have and the best options that are available to you to help you get over this medical disorder—getting enough sleep in crucial to living a healthy lifestyle. The road to better sleep is getting over your obstructive sleep apnea.