Do you have a loved one who snores loudly and sometimes gasps for air while sleeping? Chances are, that person has sleep apnea, according to internist and gastroenterologist Doc Denis Ngo.

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, sleep apnea is a disorder in which a person’s breathing stops and starts several times while sleeping, preventing the body from getting enough oxygen.

“Sa kalagitnaan ng pagtulog niya, may ilang segundo na titigil o tumitigil siya sa paghinga. Maya’t maya, makikita mo gigising siya tapos hinahabol ang paghinga, mag-ga-gasp for air kasi nabawasan ang oxygen na dumadaloy sa utak,” Ngo said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.

Symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, dry mouth upon waking, tiredness even after a night of “rest”, excessive daytime sleepiness, headaches, and irritability.

Most of the time, Ngo said, people with sleep apnea will look tired or sleepy because their sleep is constantly interrupted. They could also have difficulty paying attention.

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles relax and block air passageways.

Males who are obese or overweight and have wide, short necks are more at risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea, he said. 

Ngo noted sleep apnea can be a contributory factor to heart disease because of the interruption of the flow of oxygen to the heart and brain.

He added that sleep should not be taken lightly since this is the body’s way of recharging and repairing itself.

“Ang panahon ng pagtulog - ‘yang tama at complete restful sleep - ang siyang nagbi-build ng nutrition mo, nacre-recover kayo sa excessive wastage, recharge at nagbi-build ng immune system,” he said.

“Low batt ka. Warning sign ‘yan, kaya nire-recharge natin. Dapat bigyan ng oras ang pagtulog, hindi matulog tayo pag may oras,” he added.

Photo by Quin Stevenson on Unsplash