If 'this activity' is detected during sleep, it indicates a high risk of death.

People do not know how they breathe when they sleep. It is good to ask those around you at least once. If you have sleep apnea, which causes improper breathing during sleep, your health can deteriorate in various ways. If it persists for a long time, the risk of death also increases.

People with sleep apnea mostly snore and experience intermittent breathing pauses. They may hold their breath for a moment and then breathe rapidly 1 to 3 times in succession. Some people gasp while sleeping, and others have a generally weakened breathing sound due to shallow breathing. It is easy to mistake them for simply sleeping quietly. Sleep apnea patients have difficulty breathing properly during sleep, which reduces the quality of their sleep. If you wake up in the morning with a headache for no apparent reason or feel excessively sleepy during the day, it is advisable to consider the possibility of sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea occurs when the upper airway does not open properly during sleep. ▲People who are obese ▲People whose airway muscles are weakened due to alcohol consumption, smoking, stress, etc., are more likely to experience airway obstruction when lying down, leading to sleep apnea. People who spend long hours sitting are also at risk. When sitting for extended periods, fluid accumulates in the legs, and when lying down, this fluid shifts upward in the body, which can narrow the airway.

Sleeping in a state of sleep apnea increases the stress hormone cortisol. As a result, reactive oxygen species are continuously produced. Reactive oxygen species bind to LDL cholesterol in the blood vessels, negatively affecting vascular health. When inflammation substances formed during this process cause the blood vessel walls to thicken gradually, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases can occur. The risk of death from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases also increases, and reactive oxygen species can accumulate in the brain, leading to decreased memory and cognitive abilities.

If sleep apnea is suspected, a sleep polysomnography test should be conducted at the hospital. If the test results diagnose sleep apnea, positive airway pressure therapy can be attempted. This therapy involves delivering air at the appropriate pressure to keep the airway open and ensure smooth breathing while lying down. It is done by wearing a mask-shaped positive airway pressure device. Obese individuals can experience relief from sleep apnea by losing weight.

<Source: Health Chosun>