Recently, the importance of sleep has been emphasized due to National Sleep Week initiatives. Quality sleep is essential for health and well-being and is considered an essential component of a balanced life. However, many disorders can affect this important physiological function, including insomnia and sleep-disordered breathing, of which sleep apnea is the most common.
According to studies published in the Journal of Sleep Medicine in 2010 and 2014 (new research is still ongoing), the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in adults ranges between 25% and 46%, highlighting a public health issue of great importance. “These disorders not only affect the period of rest, but also have negative effects during the day, affecting the ability to concentrate at work, participate in social activities and even driving safety,” comments professor at Centro Universitário Funorte and cardiopulmonary physiotherapist, Rosan Caldeira.
“Snoring is just the tip of the iceberg that shows that something is wrong. Snoring can be present in both people with sleep apnea and those who do not have this condition. Therefore, it is important to screen for and evaluate cases of frequent and noisy snoring by Polysomnography: This examination determines whether there is apnea (stopping breathing) or hypopnea (reduced airflow), and the longer the apnea lasts, the more serious the condition becomes,” the specialist warns.
According to Rozian, sleep disorders have a variety of causes and are often associated with other medical conditions. “Studies show that a lack of cardiorespiratory fitness means that a person has difficulty performing physical exercise for a longer period of time. This affects the respiratory system, cardiovascular system and skeletal muscles, and decreased physical exercise is associated with increased sleep apnea.”
The professional highlights the importance of patients understanding sleep disorders and adopting healthy habits before treatment, highlighting the crucial role of the sleep physiotherapist in assessing and implementing treatment, with CEPAP, which stands for continuous positive airway pressure, being the gold standard for interruption. Breathing during sleep. “Additional treatments, such as breathing exercises and the use of an intraoral splint, can be combined to improve results. Investing in quality sleep is essential for long-term health and well-being,” Rose says.
harassment
Snoring has always been a problem in retired teacher Solly Dias Oliveira's life, getting to the point of bothering her family and herself. “It was really bothering me, my husband and my daughter. So I went to the doctor, and she had me do a polysomnogram. I did that and my apnea was very high. And then I started using CEPAP. Wow, a blessing. Very good,” she says with relief. “My husband, for the first few days, thought I was dead because I stopped snoring.”
Rosanne points out that patients with neuromuscular diseases have the right to receive specific treatments, although it is not always possible to access them through the unified health system due to limited resources and access standards. Private treatment is common, but the high costs of equipment, such as CEPAPs, can pose a financial challenge, explains the physical therapist. “Access to equipment through the SUS system is limited, except in specific cases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, where there is a greater chance of help. However, even in these cases, not all patients can access treatment through the city council.
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