The specialist spoke about the dangers of sleep apnea

Many people underestimate the problem of nighttime snoring, while it can signal a condition that significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Alexander Kalyuzhin, senior lecturer at the Department of Fundamental Medical Sciences at the State University of Education, explained the difference between ordinary snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) in an interview with Izvestia on September 25.

"It is important to understand the fundamental difference between regular snoring and snoring with apnea. Ordinary snoring can be compared to a clamped hose, through which air passes with difficulty. With OSA, the soft tissues of the pharynx completely close, and breathing stops for 10-60 seconds," he explained.

The brain, feeling suffocation, sends a wake-up call, and the person takes a shuddering breath with a loud snore, after which the cycle repeats. There can be hundreds of such episodes per night.

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The expert listed the key symptoms that should alert: severe daytime drowsiness when a person can fall asleep at the wheel or at a meeting, feeling tired after sleep, morning headaches, night sweats and frequent urge to urinate. The body fights for oxygen at night, and pays for this struggle during the day. The brain does not rest, but constantly wakes up the body to save it from suffocation.

Kalyuzhin paid special attention to cardiovascular risks. Each respiratory arrest causes a sudden release of stress hormones and a spike in blood pressure.

"Such overloads occur 200-500 times per night. The vascular wall is experiencing tremendous stress, which leads to the development of stable hypertension, arrhythmia and significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke," the specialist warned.

He classified overweight people, men over 40, smokers, and those who drink alcohol before bedtime as risk groups. Fatty deposits in the neck mechanically compress the airways, and alcohol relaxes the pharyngeal muscles, exacerbating the problem.

In conclusion, the specialist advised not to ignore the problem of snoring, especially if it is accompanied by respiratory arrest. Modern diagnostic and treatment methods can effectively solve this problem and significantly reduce health risks.

In an interview with Izvestia on August 27, Marina Gadzhieva, a neurologist and a leading specialist in the Semeynaya clinic network, reported on the close relationship between chronic stress and insomnia and the risk of developing cardiovascular disasters. According to her, when faced with a stressful situation, the body triggers the ancient "fight or flight" reaction.

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