Stating that sleep apnea syndrome is a disease that causes difficulty in breathing during sleep, respiratory arrest, then returning to normal with respiratory effort, falling asleep and waking up from sleep, Hayat Hospital Chest Diseases Specialist Dr. Fulya Gürkan, “It is different from simple snoring. It is loud enough to be heard from at least 5 days a week and from other rooms and even from other flats. Snoring stops suddenly, breathing stops, then starts again. Patients are often unaware that their breathing has stopped. However, the people next to them may notice that the loud and irregular snoring stops intermittently, the breathing stops in the mouth and nose, and the movement in the chest and abdomen continues at this time. Although these patients sleep for a long time at night, they have excessive daytime sleepiness and morning fatigue. Falling asleep on the bus, in meetings, or even while driving. The reason for this is that they cannot reach deep sleep, which provides the main rest, due to frequent respiratory stops and frequent interruptions in sleep. Deterioration of the oxygenation of the brain and the effort spent on breathing cause extreme fatigue in the body. Sleep apnea syndrome is 3 times more common in men than women. It is most common in people between the ages of 40-65 and in obese people, and it is more common in people with large neck and belly circumferences.
Stating that if sleep apnea syndrome is not treated, health-threatening results may occur, Gürkan said, “High blood pressure has been detected in 30-50 percent of these patients. Heart attack, heart failure, coronary artery disease occur. Men may have impotence and women may have menstrual irregularities. Concentration disorder, forgetfulness, irritability, depression, anxiety, personality changes increase. They wake up in the morning with a headache and nausea. Frequent urination or bedwetting may occur during the night.
Stating that the patient with a suspected sleep apnea syndrome was hospitalized in a sleep laboratory for one or two nights and a sleep test was performed, Gürkan added that during the sleep test, brain activities during the night and different functions related to the body and the relationship between them were evaluated and the treatment was started.
