“Sleep Apnea,” Snoring, and Death During Sleep

It is still vivid in my memory how Mrs. Susi Pudjiastuti, in an interview on Kick Andy on Metro TV, told how she lost her son to sleep apnea. Not long after, I was shocked by the death of Mike Mohede during an afternoon nap — a young singer I admired.

Although not known for certain, many people guessed a heart attack as the cause. Heart attacks are indeed the most common cause of sudden death. But what can cause a heart attack during sleep? As happened to Mrs. Susi's son — sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea – Snoring

Sleep apnea, which means cessation of breathing during sleep, is still greatly underestimated in Indonesia. Yet research by the Indonesian Society of Sleep Medicine found significant figures. In Jakarta alone, 20 percent of people have it — not far from data in Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Japan.

It may still be ignored because its symptom is so common: snoring. The two main symptoms of sleep apnea are snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia).

During sleep, the airway relaxes and slackens until it narrows. As a result, even though there are breathing movements, no air can pass through. Like choking during sleep, the snorer briefly wakes and then falls back asleep.

Imagine someone briefly waking hundreds of times throughout the night without fully waking. On waking, they feel unrefreshed and remain sleepy all day. No wonder snorers in the United Kingdom are barred from driving.

Due to the breathing pauses, oxygen repeatedly rises and falls, and the effect on the heart is not trivial. The heart rate repeatedly slows and then speeds up during sleep. Indeed, a 2013 Laryngoscope article stated that snoring is more dangerous to the heart than high cholesterol and smoking.

Perawatan
First, a snorer should have their sleep examined in a sleep laboratory. This examination, with a device called polysomnography, diagnoses whether a person's snoring is normal or involves breathing pauses. The degree and type of sleep apnea are also identified.

From the examination results, the appropriate treatment for the patient can then be determined — whether through surgery, the use of dental appliances by a dentist, or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

Today, growing scientific evidence continues to prove the dangers of snoring. Sleep apnea has been recognized as a cause of hypertension, diabetes, various heart diseases, erectile dysfunction, and even death.

Sleep apnea is very dangerous and easy to recognize. It would be a shame to simply ignore it. If a friend or relative snores during sleep, don't laugh at them. Warn them to get checked immediately. You could save a life.

In closing, Mike, it seems God wanted you to sing for Him. I'll treasure your autographed CD. See you…

dr. Andreas Prasadja, RPSGT
Sleep Physician, Sleep Disorder Clinic RS. Mitra Kemayoran
www.andreasprasadja.com
@prasadja

http://health.kompas.com