What Your Nighttime Breathing Says About Your Health

In particular, research has shown that apnea can manifest itself differently in paradoxical sleep: “a large part of the consolidation of memory and emotional regulation … occurs during the REM”, explains Mander. “If you wake up during the REM because of a respiratory event, you fragment this process. And if it happens night after night, it addresses.”

Early diagnosis is therefore essential, but it is currently short. The diagnosis is frequently based on a partner noting a strong snoring, at best an unreliable signal.

“The reality is that women – and in particular pregnant women – have been neglected with regard to sleep disorders,” explains Brown. “Currently, our diagnostic standards for sleep apnea are based on a very narrow demography – generally men of average age. But we know that women present themselves differently. ”

“What is classified as” sweet “apnea in a man could be moderate or even serious in a woman, especially during pregnancy,” she adds. “We supported research on pregnant women who have even found a slight breathing in sleep disorder, an independent risk factor for maternal hypertension, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.”

Portable technological companies run to fill the diagnostic ditch. The Samsung Galaxy Watch has recently become the first laptop to receive the NOVO authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration to detect the signs of AOS. But the experts remain cautious. “Portable clothes and home sleep tests are improving, but they do not yet replace a full clinical diagnosis,” said Malhotra. “They can give a false feeling of security – people see a score and think they are good when they are not.”

Mande is also skeptical: “They are not precise enough to replace the appropriate diagnosis,” he says. “They could be better than nothing – as long as you treat them as a single information, not the full image.” Although smart watches and rings can follow measures such as the variability of the heart rate, they are still not reliable to detect respiratory models, he adds.

The gold stallion in diagnosis is polysomnography, a clinical sleep study that monitors brain waves, oxygen, heart rate and muscle activity. But it is expensive and takes time, and does not lie well.

New home devices now offer better options. Mande highlights Watchpat, which uses finger, wrist and Thurat sensors to detect apnea events by analyzing changes in blood vessels. There is also Ares, a portable banner monitor which measures the air flow, oxygen levels and sleeping position and Nightowl, a fingertips that has received FDA approval in recent years.

“It is a big step forward, in particular to reach poorly served populations who may not be able to access a sleep laboratory,” explains Mander. However, there are limits. “Right now, the home test does not know if you are awake or asleep, even less the sleep stadium. It would probably miss people with a OSA at Home Rem,” he said. “If we have devices that can detect when these events occur – in NEM versus non -rep – it could help us collect people earlier and reduce their risk.”

Once diagnosed, the CPAP – continuous continuous continuous pressure – has remained in stallion for treatment, although it is uncomfortable or claustrophobic for certain users. He uses a small machine to provide a constant flow of air through a mask, keeping the airways open during sleep. “The CPAP improves symptoms, blood pressure and we now have emerging evidence that this can reduce cardiovascular risk,” said Malhotra.

For those who cannot tolerate CPAP, new tools such as nasal inserts emerge on the market. Some interventions are more unconventional – and yet surprisingly effective. “There is an Australian study that has shown that learning Didgeridoo has helped strengthen the throat muscles and reduce the severity of AOS,” said Mander. “This is a fun example, but it works.”

In the end, the most critical step is consciousness. “We used to think that snoring was just boring or funny,” said Malhotra. “Now we understand that this can be a sign of a serious medical disease. If you snore strongly or you feel constantly tired, don’t just brush it – consult your doctor. “