Sleep apnea can be determined when there’s breathing interruption during sleep while stroke occurs when there is too much blood pressure in the blood vessels of a person’s brain leading it to burst out which triggers the human body to experience malfunction. These two are totally unrelated with each other however, research has discovered a connection between these two. Sleep apnea has different common types. These are the obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the central sleep apnea (CSA), and complex sleep apnea syndrome (CompSAS). OSA, the most common form occurs when throat muscles sometimes relax and block the airway during sleep, leading to sleep complications like breathing pauses and subsequently drop in oxygen levels. CSA results from a malfunction in the respiratory control center in the brain which causes a lack of effort to breathe during sleep. CompSAS is a combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Patients with this type of sleep apnea may at first seem to have obstructive sleep apnea, but are actually not, breathing problems persist even after the airway obstruction is addressed and treated, which means something besides the collapsing throat muscles are also contributing to the apnea. In other words, it is the most complicated one among the two.
Stroke also on the other hand, has its different types. These are the ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke), brain stem stroke, and cryptogenic stroke (stroke of unknown cause). Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel is being blocked by a blood clot. Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when an artery blood bleeds onto the brain.When the blood supply is temporarily disrupted, it is called transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke). Brain stem stroke happens when blood supply to the base of the brain is stopped. This can affect many functions in the body, such as heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. Cryptogenic stroke (stroke of unknown cause) this type of stroke has unknown cause. Doctors cannot tell exactly what causes this one.
People that usually suffer from sleep apnea are unaware of the condition they might have. Common symptoms that may be an indicator that a person has sleep apnea includes loud snoring, air gasping, and often experiencing daytime sleepiness. However, if this condition is not treated, it extends beyond just a basic fatigue as it increases the risk of different health complications including cardiovascular problems like stroke.
There is a complicated relationship between sleep apnea and stroke. Risk factors that are associated with stroke include continuous decrease in blood oxygen levels and strain on the cardiovascular body parts which are due to sleep apnea. These factors are hypertension (high blood pressure), atrial fibrillation, obesity, and insulin resistance, all of which increase the likelihood of experiencing a stroke. With these factors being mentioned, it is important to determine the symptoms of these factors so that a person can have an early warning of minimizing besides avoiding the chance of getting a stroke.
Sleep apnea can affect other health conditions and can directly cause stroke risk. For instance, if sleep apnea is left untreated it can worsen high blood pressure which is a leading risk factor for stroke. The development of worsening hypertension is a result of the unchanging cycle of oxygen deprivation and blood pressure which is an experience of having sleep apnea that increases the tension in the cardiovascular system. Throughout the time, this heightened blood pressure can cause damage to the brain’s blood vessels, escalating the chance of stroke.
Previous studies have shown the significance of addressing sleep apnea to highlighting stroke risk. Curing sleep apnea does not only improve overall quality of sleep but also minimizes the related risk factors for stroke. The most common treatment for sleep apnea is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). This prevents airway obstruction and maintains proper breathing patterns for it involves wearing a mask during sleep which helps deliver continuous flow of air.
There are some aids on managing sleep apnea and reducing stroke. Managing sleep apnea and reducing stroke risk can be treated by oral appliances, positional therapy, and also lifestyle habits like management of weight, avoiding sedatives and alcohol before bedtime. These treatments can help improve the way a person can manage to breathe without difficulty anymore.Moreover, healthcare professionals and general public must be informed about the potential connection of Sleep Apnea and Stroke because it is vital for early detection and intervention
In summary, the relationship between stroke and sleep apnea lies in the common symptoms that get worse which leads to another sickness. The connection these two have emphasizes the importance of recognizing signs of sleep apnea as a potential risk factor of stroke. Improving sleep quality, undergoing medical treatments and diagnosis can help manage and reduce risks of a stroke. If being treated effectively with a healthy lifestyle that highlights getting a good sleep, this can help reduce risk of strokes and cardiovascular associated complications disease. Improving. Individuals affected by sleep apnea can potentially avoid great consequences like strokes through improving the overall health outcomes by timely intervention and lifestyle modifications.