France has 15 million snorers, of which 3 million suffer from a disease which forces 600,000 of them to spend their nights wearing a mask connected to a respirator. Others use small devices to correct the jawbone. Those most affected opt for surgery.
This disease, which has all the characteristics of a real public health problem and about which, surprisingly, little is said, is called sleep apnea. Loud snorers who suddenly stop breathing, keep their mouths open for a few seconds, then resumed their snoring loudly. In some cases, this stop occurs 200 times a night, for 45 seconds: two and a half hours without breathing which explains the fatigue the next day.
Apnea is a serious cause of heart disease and drowsiness traffic accidents today – the third leading cause after speed and alcohol. German researchers used a simulator to conduct a study on the subject, a kind of video game that allows you to drive monotonously for 60 minutes, with a virtual average speed of 100 km / h, with climatic conditions and various obstacles. The results show first of all that untreated apneics have on average nearly 3 accidents in these simulated driving sessions, and that they have committed 13 errors of concentration.
How do you know if you have sleep apnea?
It is easy to know if you have sleep apnea, first if you are lucky enough to live as a couple. Then, these apneas almost exclusively affect people who are too fat. In case of overweight and abnormal fatigue, especially in the afternoon, you should have your sleep recorded during a night in the hospital to be sure.
In 2017, researchers also created a frontal patch capable of detecting sleep apnea. According to the results of a clinical trial published in the journal Sleep, this device would measure sleep apnea with an efficiency of 87%. This patch made up of sensors measures nasal pressure, oxygen saturation in the blood, heart rate, respiratory effort, duration of sleep and body position. Its marketing could allow thousands of people to easily self-diagnose, before going to see a specialist.
The solutions
There are no medications to deal with the problem apart from the often difficult to achieve weight loss. Two mechanical treatments give good results. The first is to use prostheses that are placed in the mouth at bedtime and that advance the jaw. But only 3 in 10 people can use them for technical reasons. The second treatment is to wear a nasal mask attached with straps and connected to a small machine, all night. The compressed air that we inhale thus prevents the walls of the back of the throat from coming together and causing respiratory arrest. Sleep becomes peaceful, thanks to this machine which ensures a continuous flow of air.
The German study studied the effects on driving. And the results are clear: not only does attention and alertness improve within 6 weeks, but more importantly, driving performance precedes these improvements. The frequency of accidents decreases considerably from the start of treatment (less than one accident at 42 days) as does that of concentration errors (less than 5 instead of 13 before treatment). Badly accepted at first by patients, it quickly becomes essential.
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As for the life of a couple, which is often the first brake on the decision, you should know that the machine is infinitely less noisy than the snorers. Most of the time, these sleepless nights are reflected in – when possible – the traditional room apart from the sixties which it also does not promote the life of a couple. An apneic is someone who is tired… therefore a poor companion. A few nights spent connected to the machine are usually enough to restore a certain vigor! The treatment is covered by social security.
Surgery, the last resort
If the two previous treatments don’t work, then surgery remains – effective, but cumbersome. In fact, the lower jaw is severed to place plates which advance it. It should only be offered as a last resort, but given the number of people who are suffering, it is increasingly practiced.
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