People with sleep apnea feel exhausted the next day, even after getting a “full” night’s rest. The very idea of having blocked or lapsed breathing is frightening enough, but those who really have it also suffer from secondary concerns including marital troubles, weight gain, and reduced cognitive functioning. These problems are caused by the secondary effects of the primary condition.
Even more concerning, research has shown that long-term impacts might hasten the development of hereditary characteristics such as androgenetic alopecia.
In addition, there is a correlation between increased stress and living with sleep apnea, which raises further concerns regarding sleep and hair loss. This link cannot be denied. These preliminary findings raise the question of whether or not sleep apnea may lead to hair loss.
The Major Cause of Hair Loss
Certain haircuts that put a lot of stress on the follicles and the scalp, as well as treatments (such using hot oil);
Certain hormonal and medical situations, like pregnancy, thyroid problems, and alopecia areata;
Hair loss can be predicted by looking at a person’s family history. Androgenetic alopecia, often known as male-pattern baldness or female-pattern baldness, is the most prevalent cause of hair loss.
A traumatic incident or chronic stress
Medications and health supplements connected to high blood pressure, arthritis, and some kinds of cancer
A study on sleep that was conducted in 2017 found a variety of connections between chronic sleep loss and both short-term and long-term health problems. The stress that is brought on by ongoing disturbance might hasten the manifestation of hereditary characteristics like androgenetic alopecia.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Alopecia
There is not a clear causative connection between alopecia and sleep apnea; nonetheless, there is sufficient data to show a link between the two conditions. It is normal for people to have daily hair loss, which is followed by the growth of new hair as a replacement. The circadian rhythm, also known as an internal clock, plays a role in this process.
A study that was done in 2014 discovered a connection between maintaining a regular circadian rhythm and maintaining the integrity of newly regenerated stem cell tissue. Hair follicles were affected by the extended interruption in the sleep-wake cycles of the animals that were studied.
The findings raise additional concerns about the possible connection between insufficient sleep and thinning hair in humans.
The sleep-wake cycle has an impact on the production of melatonin, which is occasionally used topically as a treatment for balding or thinning hair. Secretion of melatonin occurs during typical periods of sleep, although this process can be hampered by conditions such as irregular sleep-wake cycles or chronic tiredness, both of which are symptoms of sleep apnea.
Connection Between Poor sleep quality, OSA, and hair loss.
The most frequent type of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea, and it is defined by the relaxation of the muscles of the throat. The relaxation makes it more difficult for air to move through, which results in snoring and a drop in the amount of oxygen in the blood.
When the brain detects that a person is exerting themselves to breathe, it temporarily rouses them from sleep (so brief a sleeper may not remember). This cycle may recur more frequently than thirty times every hour during the night.
The disturbance accumulates over time, resulting in persistent fatigue and, in some circumstances, a neurobiological ‘cost’ or ‘sleep debt.’ A lack of quality sleep is the first step in the cycle of sleep deprivation and hair loss. This leads to increased stress in one’s personal, professional, and familial life, which in turn adds to hair loss.
How does stress play a role in the thinning of hair that is associated with sleep apnea?
This can occur in one of three ways:
Psychosomatic reactions to stress, such as tugging at one’s hair or eyebrows, have been shown to be triggered by stress. Trichotillomania is an impulse control disorder that causes patients to compulsively pull off their hair.
When a person is under a significant amount of stress, their hair follicles enter a dormant or sleeping state. Because of the accumulation, the impacted hairs become more likely to break off when they are washed or combed in the future.
Severe stress triggers an immune system reaction, such as that seen in alopecia areata, which instructs the body to target hair follicles, resulting in hair loss.
Sleep Apnea Remedies
The condition can be treated with a variety of treatments, both at home and at medical facilities.
Increasing oxygen flow in the body by physical activity (yoga, running, etc.); this may be done by:
Keeping a healthy weight
Utilizing oral appliances (to keep airways open when sleeping)
Staying away from alcoholic beverages and tobacco products
CPAP treatment is something that medical professionals could recommend. Sleep apnea sufferers are able to reap the advantages of a restful night’s sleep thanks to the unblocking of their breathing passages by a CPAP machine. The continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine produces a steady flow of air and exerts just the right amount of pressure to keep the airway in the back of the neck open while the user sleeps soundly.
Benefits of Using a CPAP Machine Include:
Lower chance of getting type 2 diabetes
Lower risk of developing heart disease and stroke
an increase in attentiveness throughout the day
an improvement in both focus and emotional steadiness
In Conclusion
Consider undergoing a sleep study if you are experiencing symptoms that may be connected to sleep apnea symptoms or if you suspect that you may have sleep apnea. Not getting enough sleep may lead to a range of health problems, including heart disease, poor performance at work, and strained personal relationships, in addition to hair loss.
When it comes to enhancing the overall quality of your life, conducting research is an essential step. The most effective therapy as well as preventative measures can be prescribed by specialists once a thorough diagnostic has been performed.
You have access to a number of different sleep tests, all of which are directed by knowledgeable and compassionate experts at Air Liquide Healthcare who are standing by to assist you.
One of the most common causes of interrupted sleep is a blocked airway, which is the case with those who suffer from sleep apnea. Because of this blockage, you will have trouble breathing while you sleep. Sleep apnea is characterised by snoring and periodic interruptions in breathing while sleeping. About 80% of those who snore have sleep apnea.
Although OSA is the most frequent, there are two other forms of sleep apnea.
When the airway is physically blocked during sleep, a condition known as obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis. When the brain has trouble regulating the muscles responsible for breathing during sleep, a condition known as central sleep apnea (CSA) occurs.
Mixed or complex sleep apnea occurs when a person has both obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA) and so has obstructions from both conditions.
Exercising can help with the first two degrees of sleep disruption and the third level is beneficial in its own right. Not breathing when sleeping is a significant problem that can have major consequences for your health, as you may well know.
Thanks to its ability to alleviate symptoms and prevent the onset of sleep apnea, exercise is a double-edged sword for your health.
Physical Consequences of Sleep Apnea
Some of the organs and tissues that are impacted by sleep apnea are the brain, the heart, and the reproductive system. Because sleep apnea is so often overlooked, patients are often prescribed drugs and therapies that don’t provide optimal results.
In the case of people with untreated sleep apnea, the effectiveness of medications like insulin and blood pressure medicine may be diminished.
When it comes to the negative consequences of OSA on the body, exercise has an even higher impact because it is also helping lessen the effect of sleep apnea. This is because many of the symptoms associated with OSA are also warning indicators.
Reduced sleep quality is a major consequence of OSA. This is because the exhaustion and physical repercussions of breathing difficulties sometimes persist even after a full night’s sleep.
Additional health issues that can be exacerbated by sleep apnea include:
Problems with cognitive function or memory loss; diabetes or pre-diabetes; excessive daytime sleepiness; erectile dysfunction; high blood pressure; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); heart disease or heart failure;
Adding insult to injury, obstructive sleep apnea worsens with age and weight. That’s why it’s crucial to finish your therapy or get help if you suspect you have sleep apnea. The symptoms you’re experiencing won’t go away on their own, and they may get worse if you ignore them.
What methods exist for dealing with sleep apnea?
Before discussing the role of exercise in treating sleep apnea, it is crucial to realise that while weight reduction can assist OSA symptoms, it will not cure the illness.
Treatment with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is the gold standard for treating sleep apnea and other breathing disorders during sleep.
Patients with sleep apnea can benefit from CPAP therapy by using a device that delivers a steady stream of air to their airway while they sleep. Consistent use of a CPAP device has been shown in several trials to improve cognitive function, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attack, and even extend life expectancy.
Common treatments for sleep apnea include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines and dietary and lifestyle changes. Losing weight can help alleviate certain OSA symptoms, but it won’t cure the condition.
Losing weight can help lessen symptoms and improve sleep quality, which makes sense given that being overweight can make the condition worse.
Can Exercise Cure Sleep Apnea?
The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea increases with body mass index. It may be the most important contributor to sleep apnea for certain people. That’s because carrying more weight around your neck might cause your upper airway to get blocked, making breathing difficult.
This is the root cause of the severe snoring that is a hallmark of OSA. The same is true for the lungs: excess body fat in the midsection can diminish lung volume and so limit one’s breathing ability.
One of the finest things you can do for yourself is to lose weight if you’re overweight or obese and have sleep apnea. Losing weight can help you breathe easier by reducing the pressure in your chest. This can help you stop snoring.
The severity of OSA might be decreased by half with just a 10% to 15% weight loss in obese individuals.
Researchers found that moderately obese OSA patients may not need long-term CPAP therapy if they lost weight. When paired with CPAP treatment, losing weight can have additional health benefits.
As a result, this is where exercise comes in. Physical exercise is a key factor in achieving weight reduction success. Exercise may not even be the most beneficial part if you have OSA, even if weight loss can lower OSA severity by 50%.
How to Treat Sleep Apnea with Throat Exercises
Additional exercises for the nose, mouth, and throat can aid in reducing or eliminating snoring in addition to the weight reduction benefits of aerobic activity.
When your airway muscles relax or protrude during sleep, you experience snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. These manoeuvres assist with nasal breathing as you sleep by training and strengthening the muscles that line the nasal passages, moving the tongue, and opening the mouth slightly.
Oropharyngeal exercise, also known as myofunctional treatment for sleep apnea, works on the muscles and soft tissues of the jaw, neck, and mouth. It’s a great way to train your tongue and jaw into a more comfortable resting position.
Some studies have found that myofunctional treatment can lessen the effects of how does sleep apnea happen. One meta-analysis showed that patients treated with myofunctional therapy had a reduction in their apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) from 24.5 to 12.3. Reduces moderate apnea to a milder form of the condition.
Keeping your mouth and throat muscles toned and strong via daytime exercise might help reduce snoring and treat moderate obstructive sleep apnea by limiting muscular vibration during sleep. When performed in conjunction with a CPAP machine and a healthy lifestyle, these activities can be even more beneficial.
Exercises that focus on deep breathing can also assist with sleep apnea by opening and strengthening the muscles around the airways. Using them before bed can help you breathe more easily through your nose and keep your airways from collapsing as you sleep.
Conclusion
Modifying your way of life can help your sleep apnea, but it may not be enough for severe cases. An expert in sleep medicine can help you choose which treatments are best for you.
You may take our sleep quiz to see whether you have sleep apnea if you haven’t been diagnosed with it yet. You can use it to evaluate your symptoms and determine if sleep apnea testing is necessary. A consultation and sleep study might be helpful if you have trouble sleeping. Get in touch with Air Liquide Healthcare right now to set up a consultation and learn more about the effective treatments available.
Getting a simple and quick sleep exam might be the difference between another night of bad sleep and the peaceful sleep you deserve if you have obstructive sleep apnea.
More to read: Can Sleep Apnea Contributes to Hair Loss?
How closely linked are sleep apnea and hypertension? To what extent does obstructive sleep apnea contribute to the development of high blood pressure? When persons with sleep apnea utilize continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), does their blood quality improve? Keep reading to get the details on all of this and more.
The link between obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension
Hypertension is the medical word for high blood pressure. If your systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure readings have been persistently high across many measurements, you have high blood pressure. Sleep apnea and pulmonary hypertension are related, however pulmonary hypertension is a distinct medical condition and deserves its own page. An average blood pressure reading should be about 120 over 80. In order to determine if you have prehypertension or hypertension, refer to the following blood pressure chart:
The most prevalent form of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and the one most linked to cardiovascular problems including hypertension and heart disease, will be discussed in this article. A sleep apnea test is necessary for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep condition caused by disordered breathing during sleep characterized by repeated episodes of partial or complete throat closure. Chronic, excessively noisy snoring is a hallmark symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. Both in-lab and at-home sleep apnea tests (simply called sleep studies) are acceptable for this purpose. Sleep apnea is diagnosed when a doctor examines the results of a sleep study. Learn more for adapting to CPAP therapy for your sleep apnea.
The Dysfunctional Relationship Between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Hypertension
Independent of other risk variables like weight, several studies suggest that people with OSA are more likely to develop hypertension. It appears that sleep apnea is linked to diastolic or combination systolic/diastolic hypertension more so than systolic HTN alone. One’s risk of developing hypertension is increased by 50% in those with moderate sleep apnea, defined as an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 5-15 (an average of 5-15 irregular breathing occurrences per hour). An AHI between 15 and 30 indicates moderate sleep apnea, and those with this condition have three times the risk of developing hypertension as those without the condition. This pattern is consistent with what doctors refer to as a “dose-response curve” between OSA and hypertension: the more severe the sleep apnea, the higher the risk of hypertension. An association of this nature provides the strongest proof possible that two seemingly unrelated medical disorders are, in fact, connected.
Explaining the Link Between Sleep Apnea and Hypertension
Each episode of irregular breathing puts a significant strain on your body. Your body’s “sympathetic nervous system” will activate in response to this. The “fight or flight” response triggers a cascade of harmful physiological reactions within the body, such as a rise in heart rate and a decrease in blood oxygen levels. Systolic blood pressure has been seen to rise far into the 190s during atypical obstructive breathing episodes in studies where blood pressure was recorded directly through a catheter inserted in an arm artery.
It is hypothesised that the pathophysiology (bad physiological changes in the body) of chronic stress on the body while it should be recovering during sleep is responsible for the association between sleep apnea and hypertension.
Untreated OSA is associated with an increase in “diurnal” (daytime) blood pressure, which can progress to hypertension if left untreated. Higher morning blood pressure measurements are generally the first indicator of this problem.
Resistant Hypertension and Sleep Apnea
High blood pressure that is not well controlled by three different blood pressure drugs is considered resistant hypertension. One of the most prevalent symptoms of resistant hypertension is sleep apnea. Eighty-five percent of those with resistant hypertension are also diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, according to studies. A sleep apnea testing is recommended for those who have been diagnosed with resistant hypertension.
Indirect (or Secondary) Hypertension
High blood pressure condition that is caused by another health issue is called “secondary hypertension.” One of the most prevalent reasons why people develop secondary hypertension is sleep apnea. All of them are included below.
Conditions include sleep apnea, renal artery stenosis, pheochromocytoma, primary aldosteronism, chronic kidney disease, Cushing’s syndrome, and aortic coarctation are all linked to sleep deprivation.
Young, otherwise healthy people who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure should get a sleep study to rule out obstructive sleep apnea as the major cause of their hypertension.
Can Blood Pressure Be Reduced With CPAP Alternatives?
When it comes to lowering blood pressure, CPAP is the therapy of choice for sleep apnea. When CPAP was compared to oxygen therapy for treating sleep apnea, it was found to significantly improve blood pressure. This makes it logical, as we attribute the blood pressure/sleep apnea connection to the “fight or flight” reaction activating repeatedly throughout sleep, rather than the oxygen dips that are also induced by sleep apnea. Because of CPAP, the throat doesn’t have to close, thus there’s no need to go into “fight or flight” mode. Even while there isn’t a tonne of data on the effectiveness of non-CPAP sleep apnea solutions, such as oral appliances, the findings of the studies that have been conducted show that they may be just as effective.
The Impact of Sleep Apnea Therapy on Blood Pressure
The continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, or its close relative the BiPAP machine, is the gold standard therapy for sleep apnea. Using CPAP consistently has been linked to a modest but noticeable drop of roughly 3 mm Hg in blood pressure. Reducing blood pressure by just 3 mm Hg may not seem like much, but it has been shown to significantly lower the risk of future cardiovascular events including heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. In addition, it is generally agreed that those with resistant hypertension and sleep apnea will have a hard time maintaining normal blood pressure until their sleep apnea is treated. It would be fantastic if high blood pressure could be lowered without the need of drugs, which come with their own set of downsides. It is possible that a CPAP machine is the sole treatment necessary to return blood pressure to normal in those with secondary hypertension caused by sleep apnea.
Take Away
Sleep apnea is strongly linked to hypertension.
Sleep apnea may be the primary cause or a key contributing factor to hypertension in some people.
Over time, sleep apnea causes daytime hypertension by preventing the natural lowering of blood pressure that occurs during sleep.
Sleep apnea testing is recommended if your high blood pressure is resistant to treatment.
In the long run, untreated sleep apnea can lead to hypertension.
Those with hypertension should be given a CPAP or BiPAP equipment to help with their sleep apnea.
Lowering blood pressure and improving heart health, as shown in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases including heart attack, stroke, and heart failure, are two of the many benefits of treating sleep apnea with a CPAP machine.
Read More
If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, your physician will most likely advise you to undergo treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This treatment approach may cause some discomfort, particularly in the beginning, but it does have the potential to improve a person’s quality of sleep by reducing the likelihood that they may wake up throughout the night due to breathing problems.
However, if you don’t use your CPAP machine because it’s too uncomfortable, you might be putting your health in danger. If not attend sleep apnea treatment, can lead to a number of serious health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and others. At Air Liquide Healthcare, our goal is to make the breathing equipment that is used to treat sleep apnea as user-friendly and pleasant as possible. In order to be of assistance, we have compiled a list of suggestions that will help you become accustomed to the use of a CPAP machine.
What Exactly Is a CPAP?
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, which belong to the PAP therapy category, are the form of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea that is used the most frequently. The continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine applies a consistent and constant air pressure to the user throughout the night in order to maintain the individual’s airway open. This helps prevent the soft tissues from collapsing. However, in the initial phases of use, when the user is still getting used to wearing it each night, this constant air pressure might cause a little bit of pain due to the fact that it is so unfamiliar.
Guide on How to Adapt to the Use of a CPAP Machine
You may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night if you aren’t used to using a CPAP machine, which is a major inconvenience given that your sleep apnea is always causing you to feel tired and unrested. If you aren’t used to using a CPAP machine, you may have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night. If you want to avoid putting your health at risk by not sleep apnea treatment, the following guide will provide you with some tips on how to become accustomed to using a CPAP machine while you sleep.
Make the Necessary Modifications to Your CPAP Mask.
When attempting to use a CPAP machine, one of the most prevalent causes of pain is a face mask that does not fit properly. Investigate the possible causes of the issue you’re having with your mask. When you move about in your sleep, do you find that it falls out or slides around? When you remove it in the morning, does it leave your face with red stains or indentations?
Determine the kinds of modifications that need to be done in order to increase the level of comfort, and make the modifications when you are lying down in a sleeping position in order to see how it will fit while you are sleeping. If you make a few modifications to the face mask, but you still feel that it doesn’t fit perfectly, your sleep physician will be able to assist you in ensuring that the mask fits appropriately.
Take in Lots of water.
It is not unusual to have dry mouth as a side effect of using a CPAP machine due to the consistent and continuous air pressure that is forced into your airways by the device. This dry mouth can irritate your throat, which not only makes it hard to use a CPAP machine but also keeps you awake at night. If you suffer from dry mouth as a result of using CPAP, increasing the amount of liquids you consume throughout the day may be able to assist stimulate saliva production and provide some relief.
See Also: Can Sleep Apnea Contributes to Hair Loss?
Try to Relax When Tired: Don’t Overstretch Yourself.
When you first start using a CPAP mask, you might discover that it’s difficult to get to sleep with it on your face. If you go to bed before your mind and body are ready to go to sleep, the only thing you may be able to focus your attention on is the pain caused by the CPAP machine. If you go to bed before your mind and body are ready to fall asleep, you may have trouble falling asleep. Instead, we suggest going to bed just when you are completely ready to nod off within a short period of time. Because of this, using the CPAP machine, which you aren’t as comfortable with yet, will make it simpler for you to go asleep. Additionally, this will help your body become acclimated to falling asleep with the mask on.
If Necessary, Change the Kind of CPAP Mask You’re Using
It is possible that you may need to switch to a different kind of mask if making modifications to the one you are now wearing does not make it more comfortable for you to wear throughout the night. Examine the patterns of your nightly slumber. Do you sleep on your side? Do you lay on your back while you sleep? Do you move about in your sleep? Your sleep doctor may be able to decide the type of CPAP mask that will be most comfortable for you based on how you normally arrange yourself when you are sleeping.
Find a Professional to Help You with Your CPAP Therapy.
Patients who use one of these breathing machine choices may experience a relief of their symptoms, enabling them to enjoy a more restful night’s sleep and improved functionality during the day. The treatment with CPAP should be adjusted such that it provides you with the maximum benefit possible. Your doctor should be able to provide you with advice in the event that you require assistance in order to increase the degree of comfort you experience while using the CPAP machine.Air Liquide Healthcare is able to provide the breathing machine that you require once you have selected the method of treating sleep apnea that you will be pursuing moving ahead. Get in touch with us if you have any questions regarding the breathing equipment that we offer to people who suffer from sleep apnea.
