In Canada, it is estimated that 1 adult out of 4 is affected by sleep apnea or is at high risk of being affected during his or her lifetime. In Quebec, approximately 1 person out of 20 is diagnosed and followed for sleep apnea, but 80% of people who suffer from it are unaware of it and do not receive any treatment to relieve the symptoms of this sometimes silent disease.
It also turns out that heredity plays a big role in increasing the risk. A person who has a close relative (father, mother, brother, sister) with sleep apnea is more likely to have it.
What is sleep apnea?
The term “apnea” refers to a momentary suspension of breathing, much like scuba diving. It occurs during sleep and can have serious long-term health consequences.
There are several forms of sleep apnea. The most common, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is a chronic condition caused by a lack of muscle tone during sleep. It can cause the pharynx, where the tonsils, uvula, and palate are located, to collapse and partially or completely block the passage of air.
Aggravating risk factors related to genetics
Many elements favor sleep apnea. Male gender, menopause, age or alcohol consumption are among them. Science also suspects that direct or indirect genetic factors contribute to its development. Among these, certain recurrent causes have been observed.
Obesity
The risk of becoming obese is largely determined by heredity, the genetic influence varying from 40% to 70% depending on the case. This predisposition may then be partly responsible for sleep apnea, especially when excess fat is stored in the upper airway tissues.
The craniofacial structure
Our craniofacial characteristics (the shape of the bones and soft tissues that make up our face) are strongly influenced by our genetics. Research has shown, for example, that mandibular deficiency (a small, backward tilted jaw), a narrow posterior pharyngeal space or an elongated soft palate increase the risk of developing sleep apnea. In addition, genetic disorders such as Down syndrome or Marfan syndrome are often associated with certain craniofacial dysmorphisms that also contribute to an increased risk of apnea.
Upper airway instability
Scientists believe that in some families, shared abnormalities in ventilatory control may contribute to airway collapse. This would predispose subjects to sleep apnea, especially during the light and unstable phases of sleep.
Learning PRANAYAMA – yoga style breath control will go a long way in helping you breathe better and ultimately stop apnea.
If you want to learn PRANAYAMA, contact the yoga teachers at Shanti Holistic Clinic and come practice with us!
We give the professional training to become a yoga teacher, with 10 types of PRANAYAMA included in the course.
The new yoga teacher training will begin this spring on ZOOM.
