Drastic Temperature Fluctuations Pose Risk for Sleep Apnea Patients
Obesity Rates Surge During Cold Weather, Aggravating Sleep Apnea
The recent drop in temperatures has brought about significant fluctuations, with morning-to-night temperature differences exceeding 10 degrees. It is crucial to remain cautious during this season, particularly for individuals struggling with sleep apnea. Autumn and winter months make weight gain more likely due to lower temperatures, exacerbating the severity of sleep apnea symptoms.
According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, obesity rates in Korea have witnessed a staggering increase, soaring by over 50% in just five years, from 14,966 in 2017 to 30,170 in 2021. This surge is particularly prominent during colder weather conditions, as studies conducted in the United States reveal that individuals tend to consume more calories between November and January. Consequently, body weight tends to increase by approximately 0.4 to 0.9 kg during this period. Furthermore, the weight gained during this time is often sustained throughout the year due to reduced activity levels and a lack of motivation for weight loss following holiday indulgences.
The Harsh Reality: Obesity Fuels Sleep Apnea
Obesity is widely recognized as a primary contributor to various health conditions, and sleep apnea stands out as one of the ailments most significantly associated with obesity. Sleep apnea refers to a disorder characterized by interruptions in breathing for more than 10 seconds during sleep, leading to repeated episodes of apnea. In obese patients, the accumulation of fat narrows the upper airway, resulting in snoring. As obesity worsens, muscle activity within the upper airway diminishes, leading to hypoxia and hypoventilation, further exacerbating sleep apnea. Moreover, the diminished quality of sleep resulting from this condition can create a vicious cycle that leads to increased obesity, emphasizing the need for effective management.
Patients with sleep apnea often suffer from multiple conditions concurrently, such as metabolic syndrome. In addition to obesity, the reduction of oxygen supplied to the body’s tissues due to hypoxia and hypoventilation can trigger atherosclerosis, a major catalyst for cardiovascular disease. Shockingly, approximately half of stroke survivors experience insomnia, and individuals with insomnia face a 45% and 54% increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke within four years, respectively. Alarmingly, those between 18 and 34 years of age with insomnia are eight times more likely to experience a stroke compared to their counterparts without insomnia, indicating that even young individuals cannot afford to ignore these concerns.
Diagnosing Sleep Apnea: The Importance of Polysomnography
Sleep apnea is classified into three stages: mild, moderate, and severe. Suspected snoring or sleep apnea necessitates determining the precise cause through a procedure known as polysomnography. As of July 2018, polysomnography has been covered by insurance in Korea, allowing individuals to undergo the test by paying just 20% of the total cost upfront. Those with specific insurance policies can avail themselves of the test with a deductible of 10,000 won. Following a sleep apnea diagnosis, patients can obtain treatment at a 50% deductible within a compliance period of 90 days for the initial prescription. Subsequently, the treatment cost is limited to a maximum of 20,000 won per month with a 20% deduction after the second prescription.
Preserving Optimal Health through Good Sleep Habits
A prominent representative from Resmed, a comprehensive digital sleep solution provider, emphasized the significance of maintaining good sleep health. They highlighted that experiencing frequent awakenings during the night or feeling unrefreshed upon waking might indicate a sleep disorder and encourage individuals to promptly address these symptoms. Additionally, they emphasized the impact of sleep disturbances during the fall and winter seasons when individuals are more prone to weight gain, noting that even slight indicators of sleep issues can significantly influence overall physical well-being. Consequently, they emphasized the need to vigilantly monitor sleep health to maximize one’s potential for optimal living.
As Resmed continues to spearhead the pursuit of improved sleep health, they recently launched the “Experience Amazing Moments” campaign, endeavoring to enhance the well-being of Koreans.
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The temperature has plummeted recently, with daily temperature differences between morning and night exceeding 10 degrees. Care needs to be taken as weight can increase more easily in autumn and winter when the temperature is lower than in other seasons, and this can make sleep apnea worse.
According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of obese patients in Korea shows a rapid increase, increasing more than 50% in 5 years from 14,966 in 2017 to 30,170 in 2021. Especially when the weather is cold, our bodies become more prone to weight gain. According to a study in the United States, people usually increase their calorie intake between November, when it starts to cool, and January of the following year, and their body weight increases by about 0.4 to 0.9 kg. Additionally, the weight that peaks during this time is usually maintained throughout the following year, which may be influenced by lower activity levels throughout the winter and a weak will to lose weight after the holiday period.
It is well known that obesity is the cause of many diseases. Among them, sleep apnea is one of the diseases most closely associated with obesity. Sleep apnea is a disease where breathing stops for more than 10 seconds during sleep and apnea occurs repeatedly. In obese patients, fat builds up in the upper airway, narrowing the breathing passages and cause snoring. Therefore, as obesity becomes more severe, muscle activity in the upper airway decreases, causing hypoxia and hypoventilation, which worsens sleep apnea. In addition, lack of sleep due to worsening sleep apnea can create a vicious cycle that leads to obesity, so management is necessary.
Usually, patients with sleep apnea suffer from more than one disease at the same time, such as patients with metabolic syndrome. In addition to obesity, hypoxia and hypoventilation can reduce the amount of oxygen delivered to the body’s tissues, leading to arteriosclerosis, one of the main causes of cardiovascular disease. Half of stroke survivors have been found to suffer from insomnia, and patients with insomnia have a 45% and 54% chance of experiencing cardiovascular disease and stroke within 4 years, respectively. Among them, people with insomnia between the ages of 18 and 34 have a stroke rate eight times higher than those without insomnia, so even young people can’t be at home.
Sleep apnea is divided into three stages: mild, moderate and severe. If snoring or sleep apnea is suspected, it is important to find the exact cause through polysomnography. Polysomnography has been covered by insurance since July 2018 in Korea, so you can get the test by paying only 20% of the upfront amount.. If you have actual loss insurance, you can perform the test with a deductible of 10,000 won. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you can use it at 50% deductible during the compliance period of 90 days for the first prescription, and after the second prescription, you can get treatment for a maximum cost of 20,000 won per month with a 20% deduction.
One of the Resmed officials explained, “Good sleep health is the beginning of the best condition. If you wake up frequently during the night or do not feel refreshed when you wake up in the morning, it is very likely that you suffer from a sleep disorder. symptoms.” “Especially in the fall and winter season when people are more prone to gaining weight, even small signs of sleep disturbance can have a very big impact on their physical condition, so check your sleep health carefully so you don’t missing opportunities to live in the best possible state,” he said.
He continued, “As a total digital sleep solution company, Resmed will continue to strive to improve the sleep health of Koreans through the recently launched ‘Experience Amazing Moments’ campaign.”
Copyright ⓒ Acrofan All Rights Reserved.
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