FITNESS & Nutrition
Spot the Symptoms of OSA • Breathing that is interrupted by gasping or snorting • Loud snoring and breathing • Night Sweats • Urge to urinate during the night
fight or flight response is activated. Blood pressure spikes, your heart rate fluctuates, and the brain wakes you up partially to start your breathing again. This creates stress.” Each episode therefore increases your risk of experiencing a stroke, which is why apnoea must never be left untreated. In some cases, occurrence of OSA can be reduced by lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake and stopping the use of sedatives. More severe cases of OSA necessitate extra attention and can be treated using surgical treatments such as tonsillectomy, where enlarged tonsils are removed to prevent the blockage of airways during sleep; adenoidectomy, which involves removing adenoids, if they are found to be enlarged and restricting the airways; tracheostomy, where an artificial insertion is created in the trachea or windpipe that is held open by a tracheostomy tube; or finally bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery, which treats OSA by combatting one of its biggest causes, obesity.
nose and mouth. The mild air pressure prevents the airways from collapsing when inhaling during sleep and reduces snoring, promising a better bedtime for you and anyone else in the house. Uses of a CPAP device to treat severe OSA can have potential, mild side effects from pressurised air entering the stomach, such as abdominal pain, headaches and bloating. An alternative which should avoid these side-effects is the Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD), similar in appearance to the gumshields used in competitive sports. The MAD prevents the collapse of airways by changing the jaw and tongue position,
pushing outwards to increase airflow. It is advised you have a MAD created for you by a dentist, to match the alignment and shape of your teeth, rather than purchasing a device online.
Can’t Stop Moving Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder which creates an uncontrollable feeling of discomfort in the legs and arms. In most cases, there is no obvious cause, and the NHS refers to this as idiopathic or primary restless leg syndrome. The condition has similarities to Periodic Limb Movement Disorder, but this appears to have different causes. Some neurologists believe the neurotransmitter dopamine could play a role in primary restless leg syndrome, as it is involved in governing muscle movements. But RLS can also be brought about by iron deficiency or kidney failure, when it is known as secondary RLS. Pregnancy has been shown to increase the likelihood of experiencing RLS—up to one in five pregnant women will experience RLS in the last trimester. Lifestyle changes can help ease the symptoms. These include frequent exercise, stopping smoking and avoiding stimulants
OSA TECH There are technologies which can be used to treat OSA short of surgery. A pressurised device designed for the airways known as a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure device (CPAP) works by providing a continuous supply of compressed air via a pump and typically comes with a mask to cover both the celebrityangels.co.uk
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