Perlis: Frequent snoring is not just a nuisance. It could be the first warning sign of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a silent, dangerous condition that can trigger a fatal heart attack if left untreated over time.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Zulkifli Hamir Basah, a consultant otorhinolaryngologist at a private hospital in Perlis, said those who experience breathing disruptions while sleeping also face a higher risk of developing hypertension and stroke if the condition is ignored. He explained that OSA refers to a complete blockage of the airway, which can cause a person to stop breathing for at least 10 seconds during sleep, reducing oxygen levels and increasing carbon dioxide in the blood.
"When the heart is deprived of oxygen, a heart attack can occur. Similarly, if the brain lacks oxygen, it can lead to a stroke," he told Bernama recently. Dr. Zulkifli also advised the public to look out for key symptoms, such as frequent morning headaches, difficulty focusing, excessive daytime sleepiness despite getting enough rest, and persistent fatigue.
The consultant highlighted that someone with OSA never truly enjoys quality sleep. Their night is constantly interrupted by sudden awakenings, which in turn fuel the very symptoms they experience. "When breathing stops, oxygen levels in the blood drop, carbon dioxide rises, and the blood becomes more acidic. Sensors in the body detect this abnormality and send a signal to the brain, triggering us to wake up. We jolt awake feeling breathless, gasping for air, or choking or coughing. This disruption seriously fragments sleep, leading to morning headaches, excessive daytime sleepiness, and an inability to focus," he said.
Dr. Zulkifli added that doctors can conduct a sleep study on patients presenting these symptoms to determine their Sleep Apnea Severity Index. Treatment is then tailored based on those results. "This sleep study can be done at home or during an overnight stay at the hospital. A small, lightweight device is placed on the chest to measure oxygen levels, pulse, and how many times breathing stops during sleep," he said. Doctors will analyse the data in the device's memory card to determine the severity of a patient's OSA.
An index value below five is considered normal, six to 15 indicates mild OSA, 16 to 30 points to moderate OSA, and anything above 30 is classified as severe. He noted several factors can contribute to OSA, including the size of the tonsils and a narrow airway in the nose or mouth. However, most cases stem from obesity, in which excess fatty tissue enlarges the neck and can block the airway.
"Most of my sleep apnea patients are overweight. I once treated a patient weighing 160 kg who ended up in the ICU because of sleep apnea. His Sleep Apnea Severity Index score at the time was 80, well into the severe category. Yet, he managed to recover. He became healthy and active again, without any surgical procedure, simply by losing weight," he said. Therefore, Dr. Zulkifli advised adopting a healthy lifestyle to maintain a normal Body Mass Index as crucial to preventing OSA. This, in turn, allows individuals to enjoy a better quality of life and prevent chronic diseases.