Link between Hypertension and Sleep Disorders

Sleep plays a very important role in refreshing and regulating body systems and functions. Sleep deprivation disturbs the routine body functions which further affects different body functions. The cardiovascular system is the very first system that comes under the influence of sleep disorders. Prolonged sleep disturbance leads to a reasonable increase in blood pressure. 

How do sleep disorders cause hypertension?

A slight decrease in blood pressure is noted during asleep. This decrease in blood pressure allows the brain to activate memory restoration function. The increase in blood pressure affects the brains and impairs the memory system. For proper functioning of the memory system during sleep, a decrease in blood pressure is necessary. Hypertension disturbs the brain while asleep and causes different types of sleep disorders. So, hypertension is one of the major causes of sleep problems in adults.

How to control sleep disorders caused by hypertension?

Treatment of the cause is best recommended to minimize the effects of hypertension on sleep. There are different reasons for developing high blood pressure in adults. The consultant physician can prescribe the best medication and treatment for high blood pressure. However, the following precautionary measures can help you to control the developing symptom in the early stages. The controlled pressure is also helpful for comfortable and normal sleep.

·                     One of the common causes in the present era for high blood pressure is increased cholesterol levels. Fatty, fried foods are the basic element behind increased lipids. The increased lipid makes the blood thick and makes it hard to travel through veins, arteries and blood vessels. The increased cholesterol level also results in many other cardiovascular diseases which may also be correlated with sleep problems caused by hypertension. Controlling the cholesterol level to normal limits is helpful in maintaining blood pressure. Changing eating habits and light exercises like jogging and brisk walk are helpful in this regard.  

·                     Sleep deprivation is also a major cause of developing high blood pressure. Usually, hypertension develops due to irregular and insufficient sleep. Regularity in rest and work hours is helpful in the management of hypertension.

·                     The patients suffering from anxiety depression have also been noted with increased blood pressure. Such patients should get medication as per their physician’s advice.

·                     Patients with gastrointestinal disorders may also develop high blood pressure. Like anxiety, the GIT cases must also consult their physician and take regular medication as per prescription.

Conclusion: 

The above discussion proves that hypertension may develop due to different reasons. However, in every case, it affects the sleep of individuals which further causes different types of sleep disorders. So, whenever, you notice any sign of increased blood pressure, consult your physician immediately.

Nocturia | Excessive Urination at Night

Nocturia or frequent urination at night is a condition in which a person needs to urinate frequently during the night. The patient feels the fullness of the urinary bladder and wakes up for going to the washroom. It may happen due to different medical or psychological reasons. The frequent changes in between the duration of urination gaps with the weather change cannot be labeled as Nocturia. Usually, the urine output increases during the winter season because of less sweating. Excessive urination due to decreased sweating is not a sign of Nocturia.

Causes of Nocturia or Excessive urination at night

There may be different causes of excessive urination at night. Some of the known causes are given in the subsequent bullet points; however, the right reason can be sought out with proper evaluation and laboratory investigation. A scan of the urinary and genital system can also be advised by the physician. A physician is a person who can give a better opinion about Nocturia.

·                     The enlargement of prostate glands is one of the common causes of excessive urination during the night.   

·                     Excessive caffeine intake also increases the urine output and causes frequent urination at night.

·                     Diabetic patients also feel the fullness of the bladder while asleep.

·                     Drinking plenty of fluids before sleeping also increases urine output but this condition is not included in Nocturia.

Complications caused by Nocturia

Nocturia is also a cause of sleep apnea. The numbers of cases with frequent urination at night have been reported between the ages of 55 to 84 years. In this age group, enlargement of prostate glands and diabetes suffer Nocturia. The symptoms also exist during the daytime but the sufferer may no notice. However, frequent awakening during the night makes the individual realize about abnormal urge to urinate. The major complication of Nocturia is sleep deprivation followed by other symptoms of sleep disorders. Disturbance in the sleep pattern affects different body systems causing sleep disorders related systems like anxiety and hypertension etc.

Treatment of Nocturia

The treatment is based on the cause of frequent urination at night. The concerned doctor must be consulted on immediate after developing the symptoms. In some cases, surgical intervention may be recommended for the diagnosed cases of enlarged prostate glands. Diabetic patients are treated with medications to control blood sugar levels. The controlled sugar level is helpful to minimize the effects of Nocturia. The treatment of other causes of Nocturia is symptomatic. Changing habits is helpful to overcome this problem.

Remedial measures to accommodate and live with Nocturia

Sleep deprivation is a very serious drawback of excessive urination at night. Some measures can reduce the effects of this health issue until proper diagnosis and treatment. The following remedial measures can be helpful to decrease the excessive urination at night.

·                     Avoid taking too much coffee or tea in the evening and night.

·                     Water is very important for good health and the basic need of life. The patients with frequent nocturnal urination should take more fluids in the early hours. Possibly stop drinking fluids two hours before going to bed.

Is Sleep Apnea Treatable?

Apnea is referred to as a pause in the normal breathing cycle. The pause in the breathing cycle during sleep is called sleep apnea. The gap between the breathing cycles for ten or more seconds is included in sleep apnea. There are two main types of sleep apneas. The pause caused due to the failure of the breath control system in the brain is known as central sleep apnea. The second type is obstructive sleep apnea caused due to failure of the throat muscle keeping the airway open. The supply of oxygen to the body is interrupted in both types. Resultantly, the supply of oxygen to the tissues of the body is reduced.

What does happen in Obstructive sleep apnea?

The pause in the breathing cycle leads to a deficiency of oxygen to the body tissues. Less energy is required for the smooth functioning of body systems during sleep. However, with the breathing pause, the oxygen level further decreases. The decrease in oxygen to the body tissues necessitates an increase in the heart rate which causes awakening the sufferer. Sometimes, the patients awake with a jerk. It happens in the deep phase of sleep. The repeated pause in the breathe causes disturbance in sleep. This disturbance generates different types of sleep disorders. The people suffering from OSA are more prone to develop snoring while asleep. Snoring results from the obstruction in the airway.

What does cause obstructive sleep apnea?

The obstructive sleep apnea occurs either through narrowing the airway or completely closing the airway. The pattern of disturbance varies in both cases. The main causes of OSA may be tonsil problems and overweight. Some of the individuals with a large neck, small chin, small jaws, and large bite have also been found with such problems. The habits like smoking and drinking alcohol are also the known causes of OSA. Old age, especially above 40 can also be a reason for developing OSA. Along with age factor, ethnicity is also a factor for developing such sleep disorders. The people of Africa, America, Pacific Island, and Hispania have been found with OSA. According to a study, more than 18 million adults in America are suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.

Complications caused by obstructive sleep apnea

Many sleep disorders are associated with OSA. Repeated episodes of OSA lead to sleep deprivation. Feeling sleepy and lack of interest in daily activities are the major drawbacks of sleep apnea. Lethargy, apathy, and dizziness have been noticed in the patients during the daytime. Other complications associated with sleep deprivation like depression, hypertension, loss of appetite and heart problems may also develop.

Management of obstructive sleep apnea

Management of OSA depends on the causative factors. In some cases, the treatment is short whereas in other cases it takes long term procedures and surveillance. Reliance on alcohol and tobacco is the known reason for developing obstructive sleep apnea. Discontinuation of alcohol and tobacco can b helpful to minimize the occurrences. Most of the obese and overweight people develop with symptoms of OSA. Reduction in weight through regular exercise and a balanced diet are recommended for overweight people. Remember! Here weight reduction doesn’t mean dieting. The congenital abnormalities of upper and lower jaws can be treated through surgery depending upon the condition. The concerned surgeon can decide the suitable procedure in this regard. Infected and enlarged tonsils are also treated through surgical procedures. In some cases, the continuous positiveairway pressure device has been proved helpful to reduce OSA. With CPAP the air passage remains open and allow the required amount of air to the lungs. The consultant can recommend the CPAP device for a patient of obstructive sleep apnea.