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Australian researchers have found a nasal spray used before bed that has the ability to reduce the severity of sleep apnea in people and lower their blood pressure.

The study was conducted by researchers from Flinders University in Australia, and was published in the Journal of Cardio and Circulatory Physiology, and was written about on the university’s website and the Eurek Alert website.

Sleep apnea - also known as sleep asphyxia and obstructive sleep apnea - is a condition in which the walls of the throat relax, leading to narrowing and cessation of normal breathing.

Researcher Professor Danny Eckert said: “Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder in which the muscles in the back of the throat relax and the upper airway narrows or collapses, limiting the intake of oxygen, and causing one to wake up.” person repeatedly throughout the night.

Sleep apnea has been linked to a variety of medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, anxiety, and depression.

Nasal spray

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of a new potassium channel blocker nasal spray on the severity of sleep apnea.

Researcher Dr. Amal Othman said, “Potassium channel blockers are a class of medications that block the potassium channel in the central nervous system. When used in a nasal spray, the blockers have the ability to increase muscle activity that keeps the upper airway open and reduce the likelihood of the throat closing during sleep.”

The study included 10 people. Seven out of 10 people responded to the nasal spray, which reduced the frequency of sleep attacks, and a drop in blood pressure was recorded the next morning.

Dr. Amal said, “There was a 25-45% reduction in signs of severe sleep apnea, including improved oxygen levels, in addition to lower blood pressure the next day.”

“Currently, there are no approved medications to treat sleep apnea, but through these findings and future research, we are one step closer to developing new, effective, safe and easy-to-use medications,” Professor Eckert says.

More information about sleep apnea

Sleep apnea has negative effects on a person's health, which may lead to a stroke, according to the National Health Service in the United Kingdom.

In sleep apnea (apnoea), a complete blockage of the airway may occur, and this is when breathing stops for 10 seconds or more.

Also, partial airway obstruction (hypopnea) may occur, leading to a decrease in airflow of more than 50% for 10 seconds or more.

People with sleep apnea may suffer from frequent sleep apnea attacks, which may occur as often as once every minute or two in severe cases.

Symptoms of sleep asphyxia

  • Snoring loudly.

  • His breathing is loud.

  • Obvious apnea during sleep.

  • Night sweats.

  • Waking up frequently during the night to urinate.

  • A feeling of extreme fatigue during the day, because the person does not sleep deeply because he wakes up, as the lack of oxygen causes the brain to send signals to wake the person from deep sleep, and make him move to light sleep or wakefulness, until the airway is opened, and thus the person returns to breathing normally. natural. The person usually does not remember waking up frequently at night, so he is not aware of the problem.

There are factors that play a role in developing sleep apnea, including:

  • overweight.

  • Sleep apnea is more common in males.

  • Sleep apnea is more common in those 40 years or older.

  • Large neck. Men with a neck circumference greater than about 43 centimeters are more susceptible.

  • Taking medications with a sedative effect, such as sleeping pills or tranquilizers.

  • The presence of anatomical obstacles in the structure of the neck and tissues, such as large tonsils or large adenoids.

  • Drinking wine.

  • Smoking.

  • Menopause.

  • Having a family history of sleep apnea.

  • Nasal congestion.

  • Complications of sleep asphyxia.

  • Hypertension.

  • Having a stroke.

  • Having a heart attack.

  • Arrhythmia.

  • Having type 2 diabetes.

A person who is deprived of sleep due to sleep apnea may be 12 times more likely to be involved in a car accident, so it is recommended to stop driving until the problem is under control.

Source: Al Jazeera + Agencies + Eurick Alert