Sleep Apnea Increases the Risk of Stroke
A German research team has reportedly discovered a connection between “silent strokes” and sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleeping disorders that afflicts millions across the world. It is a condition where the airways are blocked when the person is sleeping and breathing momentarily stops. The person’s sleep is disturbed as he or she wakes up gasping for air. The condition increases the risk of the person to have a stroke.
The research, spearheaded by Jessica Kepplinger, MD, of Dresden University Stroke Center at the University of Technology in Dresden, Germany, noted that there has been no study to link sleep apnea and stroke. The research group subjected 56 people (both male and female) from ages 44 to 75 years who were victims of a transient ischemic attack (TIA). This is a mild stroke. Symptoms are much like a regular stroke attack but the duration is for a short time only. A TIA is caused by the blockage of air to the brain caused by a blood clot. After a short time, the blockage is stopped and air is circulated to the brain. For regular strokes, there is no resumption of air flow thus the brain gets damaged. 99% of the test subjects suffered from sleep apnea.
The test subjects had brain imaging scans. Results showed that 50% of the subjects had indication of tissue death in some areas of the brain which researchers attributed to lack of air in the past. No indication of a stroke was seen. This was an evidence of a state called silent stroke.
Another study made by Harvard Medical School neurologist Steven Greenberg, MD, PhD showed that 20% to 25% MRI brain imaging of those over 60 years of age indicated that they had silent stroke episodes. These individuals also had memory loss. Greenberg suggests that sleep apnea and silent strokes are interconnected though further studies should be made to strengthen the conclusion. It seems that silent stroke episodes happen to people who also suffer from sleep apnea. The researchers strongly recommend that stroke victims should be screened for sleep order condition as well.
Apart from the risk of a stroke, sleep apnea disturbs the individual from getting a good night’s rest. When breathing is stopped it results in disruption of the natural sleep rhythm. When this happens, the person can only achieve light sleep. People need deep, healing sleep to be able to maintain energy and stay mentally focused and effective.
To be diagnosed to have some form of sleep disorder may be frightening to some people. But the good news is that they can be treated. Apart from self-help and lifestyle changes, help from a sleep specialist can also be resorted to. The specialist can help go over the symptoms and causes of the sleep disorder and recommend treatment.
CPAP or Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure is the most popular treatment recommended for moderate to serious obstructive sleep apnea. In most cases, the sufferer will experience relief when using the CPAP device. CPAP is a mask-like machine that supplies constant air flow to the person while asleep. The machine is only the size of a tissue box thus is very handy to have around.
