The National Institutes of Health state that sleep apnea will pause one’s breathing for seconds to minutes. The body has automatic responses to help people breathe throughout the night. However, sleep apnea causes a dysfunction in the ability to breathe, forcing someone to stop breathing for a length of time. The problem is that it can be tough to diagnose sleep apnea since it happens while the person is asleep. If you or your loved one’s home care providers notice they stop breathing at night, you should see if their doctor will schedule a sleep study to test for sleep apnea.
Sleep Apnea Associated Risks
Most people who experience sleep apnea will feel very fatigued throughout the day. They may have cognitive function issues, as well. Most elderly adults that experience sleep apnea can have pretty severe health issues in addition to fatigue. They may have increased blood pressure, diabetes, or even experience a stroke. Obesity is another risk associated with sleep apnea. This is because the hormones that properly regulate hunger aren’t working properly when someone doesn’t get the right amount or quality of sleep.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
It is important to note that there are treatments for sleep apnea. If your elderly loved one is experiencing sleep apnea and they get a diagnosis for this condition, they might be prescribed a CPAP machine. This is also called a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine. It might seem like a lot. However, it has helped millions of people get better quality sleep. The majority of patients who have a CPAP machine are surprised by the better sleep quality they get when using their machine.
Better Life Overall
Suffering from sleep apnea can be difficult. Your elderly loved one may be feeling the effects of the sleep apnea, even before they get a diagnosis for this condition. The truth is that the sooner they get the treatment they need, the better their life will be. They will be able to receive the treatments they need that help them to breathe better at night. Once they start receiving the treatments, they won’t be suffering as much from the fatigue, high blood pressure, or other associated issues from the sleep apnea.
Have you noticed that your elderly loved one stops breathing at night? If so, you should do something about it. Call their doctor, schedule them an appointment, and see if they can have a sleep study done. If they do get a diagnosis of sleep apnea, hopefully, the treatments they get will help them to breathe better and live a better life.
Sources: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/sleep-apnea
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/symptoms-causes/syc-20377631