The Stop Snoring And Sleep Apnea Program™ By Christian Goodman f you have been suffering from snoring and sleep apnea and you are looking for permanent, cost effective and natural solution then The Stop Snoring and Sleep Apnea Program will help you. All strategies given have been tested and proven to work.
What are the signs of sleep apnea in elderly individuals?
Sleep apnea in elderly individuals may present differently than in younger adults, and the symptoms may at times be overlooked or blamed on other age-associated issues. The following are common symptoms of sleep apnea in elderly individuals:
1. Loud and Persistent Snoring
Snoring is one of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea, and it’s often more noticeable in older people. Although not all snoring is indicative of sleep apnea, loud, constant snoring and pauses in breathing should be cause for concern.
Gasping or choking snoring and then silence may be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), where the airway is partially or totally blocked during sleep.
2. Pauses in Breathing (Witnessed by a Bed Partner)
Pauses in breathing during sleep, typically observed by a bed partner, are a hallmark symptom of sleep apnea. The person will stop breathing for 10-20 seconds or more and then choke for breath. The cycle can recur many times during the night.
Witnessed apneas (periods of not breathing) are a primary symptom of sleep apnea and should be mentioned to a healthcare provider.
3. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (Hypersomnia)
Older adults with sleep apnea often experience excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue due to the poor quality of sleep. This may be expressed as an increased need for daytime naps, feeling groggy or not refreshed after waking up, and an inability to stay alert during daytime hours.
This symptom is so dangerous because elderly individuals may be more susceptible to accidents and falls due to the sleep apnea-related drowsiness.
4. Morning Headaches
Morning headaches are another common sign of sleep apnea in elderly persons. Morning headaches are typically caused by low oxygen levels during the night, which can occur when there is repeated stopping of breathing.
These headaches are typically dull and throbbing and tend to be worse in the morning and better over the course of the day.
5. Frequent Nocturnal Awakenings
Frequent nocturnal awakenings may occur due to fragmented breathing. As the patient struggles to breathe, he or she may wake up briefly, fragmenting the sleep cycle and resulting in poor-quality, fragmented sleep.
Older adults might not necessarily remember awakening during the night but might wake up feeling unrefreshed in the morning.
6. Difficulty Concentrating or Remembering
Cognitive symptoms such as problems with memory, difficulty concentrating, or a vague sense of mental fogginess are common for older adults who have sleep apnea.
The symptoms are most likely due to both fragmented nighttime sleep and nocturnal oxygen desaturation that may influence brain function.
7. Irritability or Changes in Mood
Sleep apnea can lead to depression, mood swings, and irritability. The frustration of being overtired or not being able to sleep can wear on a person emotionally.
In older individuals, mood changes can be mistaken for symptoms of depression or dementia, but the symptoms will often improve with the treatment of sleep apnea.
8. Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure since the recurrent oxygen dips during the night put a strain on the cardiovascular system.
A few elderly individuals with sleep apnea also have treatment-resistant hypertension that does not respond well to conventional therapy because the etiology of the hypertension may be sleep apnea-related.
9. Frequent Nighttime Urination (Nocturia)
Frequent nighttime visits to the bathroom, or nocturia, can also be a sign of sleep apnea in elderly people. This can occur due to the strain on the cardiovascular system from apneas and low oxygen levels during sleep.
Nocturia can also get worse due to sleep fragmentation from apnea events.
10. Weight Gain or Being Unable to Lose Weight
Whereas sleep apnea generally leads to weight gain, difficulty in losing weight is also a common issue for individuals with untreated sleep apnea. The explanation is the impaired metabolic process due to poor sleep quality, which adds to endocrine disorders affecting hunger and fat metabolism.
11. Snoring, Gasping, or Choking Sounds
Older adults may also produce gasping, choking, or snorting sounds during sleep as the body struggles to get enough oxygen. This is generally a sign that the airway is partially blocked and the body is trying to return to normal breathing.
12. Restlessness During Sleep
Restlessness during sleep, such as tossing and turning, can occur when breathing is interrupted. This can lead to less restful sleep as well as daytime fatigue.
13. Falling Asleep During Quiet or Inactive Moments
The elderly person with undiagnosed sleep apnea may fall asleep during quiet or inactive moments of the day, e.g., while watching TV, sitting with others, or while reading. It could be a sign of excessive sleepiness due to poor quality of nighttime sleep.
Conclusion
In elderly people, sleep apnea may present in subtle or insidious forms or be mistaken for other medical illnesses, such as dementia, depression, or age-related sleep disturbances. If the older person exhibits any of the aforementioned symptoms, it’s important to get them assessed by a healthcare provider. Sleep apnea is a very serious disorder that, if left untreated, can have very serious health consequences, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes. It is treatable, and with diagnosis and treatment, sleep, energy levels, and overall health can be significantly improved.
The Stop Snoring And Sleep Apnea Program™ By Christian Goodman f you have been suffering from snoring and sleep apnea and you are looking for permanent, cost effective and natural solution then The Stop Snoring and Sleep Apnea Program will help you. All strategies given have been tested and proven to work.