Winter alters the physiology of the body in ways that are difficult to adjust to. Whether you like it or not, winters will have an effect on your respiratory system, especially if you suffer from sleep apnea. It is a severe sleep disorder that occurs when your breathing stops and starts while you are sleeping. If left untreated, it can lead to loud snoring, daytime fatigue, or more serious issues such as heart disease or high blood pressure.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a condition that occurs when airways become completely or partially blocked during sleep, usually due to the collapse of soft tissue in the back of your throat. During the winter, there is a substantial increase in OSA patients, and many of them are diagnosed for the first time, despite having undiagnosed mild to moderate OSA for many years. This winter, the number of OSA patients is rising by around 15-20 per cent on average.
OSA rises during winters
Because of the decrease in humidity, sleep apnea becomes more difficult to manage in the winter. A 2012 study found this to be the case after studying sleep patients for a decade. It is believed that this is due to the dry air and increased use of fireplaces in the home, both of which bring in smoke.
The symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea worsen in the winter due to a variety of factors. The most important factor is lower humidity during the winter, and the use of heaters tends to make the air even dryer by sucking moisture out of it. The respiratory passage dries out quickly due to the cold air. The second factor is poor air quality, both outside and inside, particularly in cities, as well as the use of fireplaces and wood-burning. The third most common reason is that many people suffer from recurrent upper respiratory infections or allergies such as rhinitis, nasal blockage, and runny nose during the winter, which exacerbates their already severe sleep apnea.
Treat OSA
In short, OSA will worsen in the winter, but there are strategies you can use to allow this season to melt away negative health effects.
When going outside, always keep your mouth covered. Breathing in cold air can cause the airway and lungs to dry out. Dress in weather-appropriate attire. It is preferable to add more layers to your clothing. Breathe in through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Your nose aids in the filtering of cold air.
According to a new study, maintaining an active lifestyle can lower the risk of obstructive sleep apnea, prompting doctors to propose exercise-based therapies for people at risk. The study’s findings were published in the ‘European Respiratory Journal.’The new study by Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers looked at the link between active lifestyles and the risk of OSA.
Over a 10-to-18-year period, the study followed approximately 130,000 men and women in the United States and discovered that higher levels of physical activity and lower levels of sedentary behaviour were associated with a lower risk of OSA. It is therefore advised to maintain your exercise regimen even during the winters
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) Machine
A CPAP machine delivers a constant stream of oxygen to your nose and mouth while you sleep. This helps you breathe correctly by keeping your airways open. The winter season brings an increase in cold and flu cases, which can interfere with CPAP compliance and a restful night’s sleep.
When using and cleaning the device in the winter, extra caution should be exercised. We recommend using cleaning devices designed specifically for CPAPs to make daily cleaning easier. Most CPAPs have a humidification setting, but you should also have a humidifier in your sleeping area.
If you are having trouble sleeping or breathing at night, it can be a sign of OSA. It is, therefore, recommended that you see a doctor as soon as possible.