In this article, we will be talking about the link between sleep apnea and gout. Do these two different conditions have a relationship with each other? Well, let’s see –read on to this article and you will know! So what are you waiting for, sit back, relax, and read at ease, because you will surely learn a lot from this one!
Sleep Apnea and Gout: What is Sleep Apnea?
The sleep apnea is a sleeping condition wherein your own breathing stops time after time and starts while sleeping. In a statistics, about 12 million Americans suffer from this condition. What’s shocking in here is that at least half of them are overweight! Moreover, sleep apnea is more common in men than in women. It usually affects people after the age of sixty.
If you tend to snore extremely at night or the one you are with tells you that you really do or you experience daytime fatigue although you had a full night sleep, then you should consult your doctor. This is for the reason that the aforementioned symptoms may indicate sleep apnea. Those who are suffering from sleep apnea commonly stop breathing for ten to twenty seconds for a period of time. This may happen twenty to thirty times every hour while you are sleeping. Scary AF, isn’t it?
Sleep Apnea and Gout: Kinds of Sleep Apnea
There are 2 major kinds of sleep apnea, and they are as follows:
- Central Sleep Apnea: this particular type of sleep apnea may occur in the event that the brain is not sending proper signals into the muscles that control the breathing.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea: this is the common type of sleep apnea. It occurs in the event that the muscles in the throat relax.
Even though there is a strong evidence that the sleep apnea is one of the main contributors to the onset of gout, there are just a few things done to screen those who suffer from gout for sleep conditions when diagnosed initially.
Moreover, the lack of oxygen in the brain or body, or Chronic Hypoxia promotes the excess levels of uric acid in the blood. Additionally, sleep apnea may lead to some other potential life-threatening conditions like stroke, liver conditions, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and heart disease. What is more interesting in here is that both the sleep apnea and gout are frequently listed as causes of metabolic syndrome, heart conditions, and kidney conditions.
Sleep Apnea and Gout: The link between the two
There is a study conducted to prove the association between gout and sleep apnea. The study states that the sleep apnea, as well as the effect of the reduction of oxygen in the blood, may increase the levels of uric acid. Another study in 2012 also suggests that those who snore more than 5 nights every week have higher levels of uric acid. This is what they thought proving the relationship between the two condition.
Furthermore, one more interesting fact is that sleep apnea may trigger gout attacks as most of the attacks take place at night. It does this particular event through the lowering of the levels of blood oxygen at night, which is due to sleep apnea. Since the levels of the uric acid rise as the carbon dioxide in the blood increases, you will have the potential to suffer from painful gout attacks.
Sleep Apnea and Gout: How to treat Sleep Apnea?
The most common of all the methods of treating sleep apnea is to continuously sleep each and every night. Not just sleep, you should wear a mask that provides incessant positive airway pressure. This may be a bit uncomfortable at first, but you will get used to it. Furthermore, you must also lose the excess weight that you have and make certain that you exercise regularly. This will make a big difference towards sleep apnea as well as gout.
Before sleeping at night, what may also help you is drinking hot milk or tea, if you prefer. And then drink passionflower or valerian tea to relax and calm yourself. I, myself do this occasionally. You should keep this thing on the check! Be well aware of the things you do, the foods you eat and the lifestyle that you have.
