apnea

Establishing the etymological origin of the term apnea leads us to move to Greek, since it comes from that language. This is made up of the sum of two perfectly delimited parts: the prefix -to which is equivalent to "negation" and the verb pnein which can be translated as "breathe."

It is called apnea to a disease of the respiratory system whose symptom is interruption of breathing for at least ten seconds. According to its characteristics, this difficulty can be divided into three types: obstructive (determined by a respiratory effort generated by the absence of respiration), central (produced by both the lack of effort and the respiratory signal) and mixed (generated from the combination of central apnea with obstructive).

This syndrome has also been defined as obstructive sleep apnea, because it manifests while the person who suffers from it is sleeping. For this reason, it is common for those who suffer from this disease to be prevented from being able to rest correctly since, in the absence of oxygen, the brain is forced to interrupt sleep in order to recover the respiratory rhythm. Morning headaches, pulmonary hypertension and heart problems are some of the ailments caused by apnea.

Excessive drowsiness, chronic fatigue, various respiratory disorders or psychological disorders, such as nervous depression or anxiety, are some of the main symptoms that indicate that a person is suffering from this clinical picture, which is also known as apnea syndrome. -hypopnea during sleep.

However, we must not forget that there are also cardiovascular symptoms that can warn that someone is suffering from this pathology. Specifically, among them are angina pectoris, arterial hypertension, cerebral infarction or myocardial infarction.

Apnea treatments include: continuous supply of pressurized air (injects air that eliminates the blockage, through a compressor, a hose and a mask), the mandibular advancement devices (they work if the origin of the obstruction is the base of the language) and the surgeries (An otolaryngologist must consider whether surgical intervention is recommended or not).

And all this without forgetting either that when a patient suffering from apnea undergoes a treatment it is also necessary that they comply with a series of basic rules to ensure that said treatment has the expected effect. Among the most important rules are following a very healthy and balanced diet to the letter in order to lose weight.

In addition to all this, it is also required to stop smoking in which case the person who has apnea has this vice and finally to also eliminate the intake of alcohol as well as medications such as sedatives that are used to relax what is the system highly strung.

On the other hand, the term apnea has also been used to give a name to a sport that is characterized by dive deep into the sea at your best, that is, without traditional equipment such as snorkeling. Given its peculiarities, this discipline requires a great power of mental relaxation, good nutrition, optimal hydration, the development of mammalian reflexes in humans and training in environments of anoxia.