The culprit behind neck and shoulder pain is actually sleep apnea.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]記者吳思奕／台北報導

A recent US study found that children who snore generally have lower academic performance compared to other "normal" children. This finding has once again brought the issue of snoring to the forefront for many parents and the public. In response, Dr. Su Zhiying, director of Yingtian ENT Clinic, reminds everyone that...Sleep apnea not only affects sleep quality, leading to daytime fatigue, but according to years of clinical observation, many chronic headaches and back pains may also be complications of sleep apnea.The public should pay close attention.

Dr. Su Zhiying further stated that her outpatient clinic had treated a Dr. Zhang, who had worked in the pulmonology department of a certain medical center for over 20 years.The patient sought treatment for sleep apnea. After wearing the device, not only did their breathing become smoother and their snoring problem resolved, but their long-standing headaches and neck and shoulder pain also disappeared.Later, after years of clinical case observation, it was found that other patients also had the same condition, thus providing an opportunity to study the relationship between the two.

Dr. Su Zhiying pointed out that through consultations and research in her outpatient clinic over the years, she has concluded that...The conclusion that sleep apnea leads to a sharp drop in blood oxygen levels has negative effects on the nervous and muscular systems..in particularFor patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea, the blood oxygen concentration during sleep can drop as low as 601 TP3T, insufficient for all cells to perform aerobic respiration. They can only rely on partial anaerobic respiration (the conversion of glucose into lactic acid for energy) to barely maintain physiological functions. After a night of oxygen-deprived sleep, a large amount of lactic acid accumulates in the body, which is likely one of the main culprits causing shoulder, neck, and lower back pain, as well as headaches.。

As for how to alleviate symptoms such as headaches and neck and shoulder pain, Dr. Su Zhiying said that the pain caused by sleep apnea still requires targeted treatment. Currently, the medical community mainly treats sleep apnea in two ways: wearing a breathing machine and surgery.

The machine generates positive pressure oxygen, forcing air through a mask at the mouth and nose, past the narrow openings of the oropharynx, into the lungs, thus increasing blood oxygen levels. Regarding the type of surgery, Dr. Su Zhiying, with many years of clinical surgical experience, analyzed that traditional electrocautery or laser treatments for the soft palate and pharynx have limitations and a possibility of recurrence. Currently, the more ideal method is to use a cold-touch vaporization radiofrequency ablation device to reduce the volume of soft tissue in the oropharynx and base of the tongue under local anesthesia and painlessness, combined with a modified uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (lifting procedure).

Finally, Dr. Su Zhiying appealed...Although sleep apnea may not seem to pose an immediate danger, its effects range from minor issues like snoring, headaches, and neck and shoulder pain to more serious conditions such as myocardial infarction and sudden death, so it should not be taken lightly.It is recommended that people who habitually snore, experience sleep interruptions due to breathing cessation, wake up with a dry mouth and throat, often feel lethargic during the day, or even suffer from chronic headaches or neck and shoulder pain seek medical help as soon as possible to identify the cause and receive correct and effective treatment in order to avoid possible complications.

News Source:Yahoo! News[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]