How Sleep Apnea Makes it Hard to Fight with Covid?
It has been 2 years since the Covid 19 pandemic hit us. After flattening the curve a considerable amount in the last few months, infection rates are rising again. Many of us have lost sleep over it. The ones with sleep disorders like sleep apnea and insomnia, more than others. But did you know that recent research has found that sleep apnea patients are at a higher risk of developing more severe forms of the Covid 19 infection?
To clarify, having sleep apnea doesn't make you more prone to develop Covid but if you do end up getting infected, it leaves you more susceptible.
It might be time you consider sleep apnea treatment seriously.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Many sleep specialists describe sleep apnea as a serious sleeping disorder that happens when your breathing stops and starts while you slumber.
This condition stems from blocked airways or errant brain signals.
There are 3 types of sleep apnea:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) - The most common form of sleep apnea occurs when the airways are fully or partially blocked due to the collapsed soft tissue at the back of the throat. Characteristic symptoms include gasping and jerking of the body.
Central Sleep Apnea - Instead of blocked pathways, here, the brain is at fault. The brain fails to signal the respiratory muscles to breathe. Central sleep apnea is common among those with neuromuscular diseases or in patients with heart, lung or kidney diseases.
Complex Sleep Apnea - Also known as Treat-emergent sleep apnea, this condition is when the patient has both Obstructive and Central sleep apnea.
How is Sleep Apnea related to Covid -19?
Sleep apnea and sleep related hypoxia (low oxygen levels) was recently discovered to be an important risk-factor among covid patients. It increases the chances of hospitalization and even death.
A study found that in covid patients suffering from OSA, the fatality rate was the highest on the 7th day of admission into the hospital.
Researches have suggested that when hypoxia induces inflammation throughout the body, the prolonged activation of inflammatory actions contribute to the severity of the infection.
The abnormal melatonin secretion among sleep apnea patients also interferes with the body's recovery post covid. This is an important factor, especially when several studies have speculated Melatonin being an adjuvant treatment for the virus.
How to Treat Sleep Apnea?
Dempsey Dental, Oklahoma offers a sleep apnea treatment that does more than just address the snoring. Their NightLase therapy is patient-friendly and gently removes the aberrant mucosa tissue. Patients have reported better sleep and healthier lifestyle after they had their treatment. More importantly, it addresses several risk factors in covid patients. Call us to book a time slot for initiating your treatment.
**Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor's advice, nor does it create any form of patient-doctor relationship.