Fact 4: Post-Op Concerns – A Complicated Recovery
Advertisements
Advertisements
Surgery is daunting for anyone, but for someone with sleep apnea, the complications multiply. Anesthesia, crucial for most major surgeries, poses significant risks to individuals with this sleep disorder.
When under anesthesia, the muscles of the throat relax, more so than during natural sleep. For someone with sleep apnea, where these muscles are already prone to collapsing, this deep relaxation can completely obstruct the airway. It can lead to extended periods of oxygen deprivation during surgery.
Post-operatively, pain medications, essential for recovery, can further exacerbate sleep apnea symptoms. These medicines can depress the respiratory drive, leading to more extended and more frequent episodes of breath holding.(4)
Advertisements
