Have you been thinking – “Why do I puff out air when I sleep”? Puffing air when sleeping may indicate sleep disorders like sleep apnea. It is a sleep problem in which the upper airways of an individual are blocked during sleep. It is followed by frequent awakening through the night. Other possible or additional causes of mouth puffing can be breathing through the mouth and Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which may cause gasping during nighttime.
Why do people puff while sleeping?
Oral breathing is not uncommon, and so is puffing out air when sleeping. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea may often take deep and long breaths, which can be seen as an attempt made to compensate for the oxygen depletion. It is a condition in which the muscles of the throat are made to relax, causing a blockage in the airways’ openings.
How to stop your mouth from puffing?
“I hear myself snoring before I fall asleep” – is this what you always go through? First, you need to evaluate the root cause. Medications for the treatment of anxiety, heart failure, and COPD, CPAP, dental devices, proper sleep habits, and saline nasal sprays may be used to stop it.
Signs that indicate you have obstructive sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes collapsing of the airways, which may block when the patient is fast asleep. The breathing may stop multiple times during the night for approximately 20-30 seconds.
There are a few warning signs that you may be having sleep apnea.
Noisy sleep: Snores and noisy sleep may be connected with apnea. It may be indicative of obstructed airways. The louder the snores, the better the chances for sleep apnea.
Restlessness: Common indications of apnea may include restlessness, tossing and turning through the night, trashing, kicking, and jerking, which may be common symptoms of apnea.
Exhaustion: You may be exhausted even after a sound sleep through the night. You may turn out to be less productive, doze off while watching TV or performing a task, or you may show irritation. All these can be common reasons indicating apnea. Also, patients may find themselves catching colds often as apnea is known to disrupt the immune system, too.
Prone to such risks: Men and a few individuals may be more prone to sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea. Other factors that may boost its potential are menopause, overweight, obesity, etc. You may be suggested a ‘sleep study’ often carried out in a lab where a doctor would study your nature and quality of sleep and analyze the breathing patterns in an individual.
Types of sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): The most common type of sleep disorder is OSA, which is when the airways get blocked during sleep, either partially or completely. Breathing may occur with loud gasps, causing the body to jerk. It can affect the oxygen flow to your body and cause abnormal heart rhythms.
Central Sleep apnea: In this condition, airways are not blocked. Instead, the brain fails to instruct the muscles to breathe. It is related to CNS functions. Patients with a history of heart problems or stroke are prone to developing it.
Complex sleep apnea: It combines both OSA and central sleep apnea.
Read: Sleep Apnea: How to Manage the Condition
Common risk factors of sleep apnea
Obesity, larger neck circumference, narrow airways, being a male, old age, family history, alcohol, nasal congestion, sedatives, type 2 diabetes, high BP, congestive heart failure, hormonal disorders, chronic lung diseases, etc. are some of the common risk factors of sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea symptoms
Not many may successfully track the first symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. Exhaustion, anxiety, depression, fatigue, concentration problems, frequent urge to pee, night sweating, headaches, sexual dysfunction, and sudden waking up after choking and gasping can be a few of those symptoms.
Sleep apnea in women
In women, sleep apnea may be less frequent than in men. Symptoms usually include depression, fatigue, daytime exhaustion, sleep problems, anxiety, frequent waking up during the night, etc.
Sleep apnea in children
Most of the symptoms of the sleep disorder obstructive sleep apnea may be difficult to track in children. Common warning signs may include sleepiness, hyperactivity, swallowing problems, hyperactivity, poor academic performance, heartburn, excessive sweating, wrong sleeping positions, bedwetting, loud snoring, etc.
How to diagnose Obstructive sleep apnea?
Your bed partner can help you better. Patients who may be taking opioids or other medications affecting sleep or ones with a history of sleep problems in families are more prone to the disorder if they have recently traveled to higher altitudes or have other medical problems associated with sleep apnea, such as high BP, atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes, etc.
Obstructive Sleep apnea treatment
Now the question arises: can you treat sleep apnea? In most cases, there is really no cure for obstructive sleep apnea. However, one can always get rid of symptoms to improve the medical condition.
Lifestyle changes and medications like Modalert 200 can help, but a doctor consultation is important to evaluate your exact medical condition. Losing weight, avoiding smoking and alcohol, and getting treatment for nasal allergies are some things that can help.
Other treatments that can help are CPAP machines, BPAP or BiPAP, Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV), Auto-positive airway pressure machines, oral appliances, surgeries, medications, supplemental oxygen, etc.
Medicine for obstructive sleep apnea
A wide range of medications can help treat obstructive sleep apnea. They are Modafinil, Solriamfetol, Armodafinil, Reboxetine, Tripeptide, AD109, etc.
Treatment for Lip puffing while sleeping
Lip puffing may be caused by mouth breathing and swollen lips. Common treatments include CPAP devices, surgery, exercise, weight loss, etc.
Where do I buy medicines for sleep apnea or mouth puffing?
Smartfinil is a one-stop destination for all quality medications designed to combat sleep-related problems or disorders like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). You can get the best quality medications at prices you would love to afford.
Conclusion
Puffing out air while sleeping is a problem directly connected with poor quality of sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness. Medical advice, lifestyle changes, and appropriate medications can help improve your condition.