Sleep and breathing: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 18:48, 23 March 2025

Sleep and Breathing[edit]

File:Snoring under severe sleep apnoea - 1741-7015-9-17.oga

Sleep and breathing are closely interconnected physiological processes. During sleep, the body's demand for oxygen decreases, and the breathing pattern changes to accommodate this reduced need. However, various disorders can disrupt normal breathing during sleep, leading to significant health issues.

Physiology of Sleep and Breathing[edit]

During sleep, the body undergoes several changes that affect breathing. In the NREM stages, breathing becomes more regular and the respiratory rate decreases. In contrast, during REM sleep, breathing can become irregular and shallow. This is due to the reduced muscle tone and the influence of the autonomic nervous system.

The diaphragm remains active throughout sleep, but the accessory muscles of respiration, such as the intercostal muscles, are less active, particularly during REM sleep. This can lead to a reduction in the functional residual capacity of the lungs.

Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders[edit]

Sleep-related breathing disorders are conditions that affect breathing during sleep. The most common of these is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), characterized by repeated episodes of partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway during sleep. This leads to disrupted sleep and can cause daytime sleepiness, cardiovascular problems, and other health issues.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)[edit]

OSA occurs when the muscles of the throat relax excessively during sleep, causing the airway to collapse. This results in snoring, choking, or gasping sounds as the person attempts to breathe. The brain briefly arouses the person from sleep to reopen the airway, which can happen multiple times per hour, severely disrupting sleep quality.

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)[edit]

Central sleep apnea is less common and occurs when the brain fails to send appropriate signals to the muscles that control breathing. Unlike OSA, there is no physical blockage of the airway. CSA is often associated with certain medical conditions, such as heart failure or stroke.

Impact of Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders[edit]

Sleep-related breathing disorders can have significant impacts on health. They are associated with an increased risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes. The fragmented sleep caused by these disorders can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness, impaired cognitive function, and reduced quality of life.

Diagnosis and Treatment[edit]

Diagnosis of sleep-related breathing disorders typically involves a sleep study, which records various physiological parameters during sleep. Treatment options vary depending on the severity and type of disorder but may include lifestyle changes, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances, or surgery.

Related Pages[edit]

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-'''Sleep and Breathing''' refers to the physiological relationship between [[respiratory system|respiratory processes]] and [[sleep]] states. This relationship is crucial for maintaining homeostasis and ensuring adequate [[oxygen]]ation and [[carbon dioxide]] removal from the body during sleep. Disturbances in this relationship can lead to sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs), such as [[sleep apnea]], which can significantly impact overall health.
+== Sleep and Breathing ==
-==Overview==
+[[File:Snoring_under_severe_sleep_apnoea_-_1741-7015-9-17.oga|Snoring under severe sleep apnoea|thumb|right]]
-During sleep, the body undergoes various changes in physiological functions, including those related to the respiratory system. These changes are influenced by the sleep stage, with notable differences observed between [[Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep|REM sleep]] and non-REM sleep. For instance, during REM sleep, there is a natural reduction in muscle tone, which can affect the muscles responsible for maintaining airway patency, leading to increased risk of airway obstruction.
-==Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders==
+'''Sleep and breathing''' are closely interconnected physiological processes. During sleep, the body's demand for oxygen decreases, and the breathing pattern changes to accommodate this reduced need. However, various disorders can disrupt normal breathing during sleep, leading to significant health issues.
-Several conditions fall under the umbrella of SRBDs, including:
-* '''[[Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)]]''': Characterized by repetitive episodes of partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway during sleep, leading to disrupted sleep and oxygen desaturation.
+=== Physiology of Sleep and Breathing ===
-* '''[[Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)]]''': Involves a lack of drive to breathe during sleep, resulting in periods of no respiratory effort and consequently no airflow, despite an open airway.
-* '''[[Cheyne-Stokes Respiration (CSR)]]''': A form of periodic breathing characterized by cyclic changes in the depth of breathing, culminating in apneas, commonly seen in patients with heart failure or stroke.
-* '''[[Hypoventilation Syndromes]]''': Occur when there is inadequate ventilation during sleep, leading to increased levels of carbon dioxide in the blood.
-==Diagnosis and Treatment==
+During [[sleep]], the body undergoes several changes that affect breathing. In the [[non-rapid eye movement sleep|NREM]] stages, breathing becomes more regular and the respiratory rate decreases. In contrast, during [[rapid eye movement sleep|REM]] sleep, breathing can become irregular and shallow. This is due to the reduced muscle tone and the influence of the autonomic nervous system.
-Diagnosis of SRBDs typically involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, and sleep studies such as [[polysomnography]]. Treatment options vary depending on the type and severity of the disorder but may include lifestyle changes, use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices, dental appliances, medications, or surgery.
-==Impact on Health==
+The [[diaphragm]] remains active throughout sleep, but the accessory muscles of respiration, such as the intercostal muscles, are less active, particularly during REM sleep. This can lead to a reduction in the functional residual capacity of the lungs.
-Untreated SRBDs can have significant health implications, including increased risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes. Additionally, these disorders can lead to daytime sleepiness, cognitive impairment, and decreased quality of life.
-==Prevention and Management==
+=== Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders ===
-Preventive measures for SRBDs focus on maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bedtime, and managing allergies or nasal congestion. Effective management of SRBDs often requires a multidisciplinary approach, including lifestyle modifications, medical devices, and sometimes surgical interventions to ensure adequate nighttime breathing and improve sleep quality.
+Sleep-related breathing disorders are conditions that affect breathing during sleep. The most common of these is [[obstructive sleep apnea]] (OSA), characterized by repeated episodes of partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway during sleep. This leads to disrupted sleep and can cause daytime sleepiness, cardiovascular problems, and other health issues.
+==== Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) ====
+OSA occurs when the muscles of the throat relax excessively during sleep, causing the airway to collapse. This results in snoring, choking, or gasping sounds as the person attempts to breathe. The brain briefly arouses the person from sleep to reopen the airway, which can happen multiple times per hour, severely disrupting sleep quality.
+==== Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) ====
+Central sleep apnea is less common and occurs when the brain fails to send appropriate signals to the muscles that control breathing. Unlike OSA, there is no physical blockage of the airway. CSA is often associated with certain medical conditions, such as heart failure or stroke.
+=== Impact of Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders ===
+Sleep-related breathing disorders can have significant impacts on health. They are associated with an increased risk of [[hypertension]], [[cardiovascular disease]], [[stroke]], and [[diabetes]]. The fragmented sleep caused by these disorders can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness, impaired cognitive function, and reduced quality of life.
+=== Diagnosis and Treatment ===
+Diagnosis of sleep-related breathing disorders typically involves a [[polysomnography|sleep study]], which records various physiological parameters during sleep. Treatment options vary depending on the severity and type of disorder but may include lifestyle changes, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances, or surgery.
+== Related Pages ==
+* [[Sleep disorder]]
+* [[Respiratory system]]
+* [[Polysomnography]]
+* [[Continuous positive airway pressure]]
+{{Sleep}}
+{{Respiratory system}}
-[[Category:Respiratory system]]
 [[Category:Sleep disorders]]
-{{Medicine-stub}}
+[[Category:Respiratory diseases]]