Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: A New Health Concern
Experts from the University of Missouri School of Medicine and NextGen Precision Health have discovered a potential link between obstructive sleep apnea and the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms. An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs when the aorta, the body’s main artery, expands and risks rupturing, which can lead to dangerous internal bleeding.
Understanding Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic condition where a person’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, increasing the risk of heart-related issues. The researchers used mouse models to explore the connection between this sleep disorder and aneurysms.
Research Findings
The study found that intermittent hypoxia, a condition where the body doesn’t receive enough oxygen, is caused by obstructive sleep apnea and can make mice more prone to developing abdominal aortic aneurysms. According to Luis Martinez-Lemus, a professor involved in the study, while intermittent hypoxia alone isn’t enough to cause aneurysms, it can contribute to their development in patients with additional health issues like obesity.
How Aneurysms Develop
During obstructive sleep apnea, relaxed throat muscles block airflow, leading to intermittent hypoxia. This lack of oxygen activates enzymes called MMPs, which can weaken the aorta by degrading its extracellular matrix.
Importance of Early Detection
Neekun Sharma, the study’s lead author, emphasized that patients often don’t experience symptoms until an aneurysm bursts, causing back and belly pain. Quick surgical intervention is crucial in such cases. Understanding how these aneurysms form can help in monitoring and slowing their progression, especially in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
Doubts Revealed
Obstructive Sleep Apnea -: Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a condition where a person’s breathing stops and starts repeatedly during sleep because the throat muscles relax too much. This can make people very tired during the day because they don’t get good sleep at night.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms -: An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm is a serious condition where a large blood vessel in the belly, called the aorta, gets bigger and can burst. If it bursts, it can cause a lot of bleeding inside the body, which is very dangerous.
University of Missouri -: The University of Missouri is a big school in the United States where people go to learn and do research. Researchers there study many things, including health and medicine.
Intermittent Hypoxia -: Intermittent Hypoxia means that the body sometimes doesn’t get enough oxygen, which can happen during sleep apnea. This lack of oxygen can cause problems in the body, like increasing the risk of aneurysms.
Mouse Models -: Mouse Models are mice used in scientific research to study diseases and test treatments. Scientists use them because they can help us understand how diseases work in humans.
