Many
people snore, but when snoring can lead to an actual stoppage
of breathing, its time to do something about if before it is
too late. Obstructive /fs.shtml?MAINFRAME=healthtopics/crs/snoring.htm">sleep
apnea is a disorder where our upper
breathing airway is blocked repeatedly and the oxygen level
goes down when we sleep.
Usually
the spouse, who is interrupted by loud, repetitive snoring and
notices that there are long pauses when his or her partner is
breathing, picks up on the disorder. Eighteen million people
are afflicted with sleep apnea, and early recognition is vital
as it has been associated with high blood pressure and strokes.
Who
gets sleep apnea?
The
typical sleep apnea sufferers are middle-aged, obese males,
although two percent of middle-aged females suffer from sleep
apnea. The problem can be worsened by alcohol use or sedatives
taken at bedtime.
People
with sleep apnea have a restless sleep, complain of daytime
sleepiness, and may have a higher incidence of work related
or automobile accidents. They may also complain of frequent
headaches, become excessively moody or depressed, or report
diminished libido. Other physical types of obstruction may be
due to enlarged tonsils or tongue, or a misaligned jaw.
Types
of sleep apnea
There
are actual three types of sleep apnea. The most common, obstructive
sleep apnea, occurs when the tissues in our throat collapse
while sleeping. Breathing can be stopped for many seconds, and
can occur hundreds of times a night to the patient with sleep
apnea.
Eventually,
the lungs in response to the low oxygen in the blood begin gasping
and sucking for air. Throughout all of this, the sleeping person
is unaware any of this has occurred, but the frequent arousals
lead to restless bouts of sleep.
The
second type, known as central sleep apnea, is when there is
a misconnection between the brain and lungs telling it to breath.
This is a rare condition, only seen in unusual neurologic disorders.
The third type, mixed sleep apnea, is the combination of central
and obstructive sleep apnea.
What
is the treatment?
Once
sleep apnea is suspected, the physician may inquire about other
associating factors, such as obesity and alcohol use. To confirm
the diagnosis, checking an overnight oxygen level or a referral
to a sleep lab may be done.
Pulmonologists
or other sleep disorder specialists conduct studies such as
polysomnography to rule out other forms of daytime somnolence.
The
most common form of treatment is known as CPAP (or Continuous
Positive Airway Pressure). In this therapy, a mask is placed
over the nose and mouth of the patient while he or she sleeps,
supplying airway to these passages preventing the collapse of
oropharyngeal tissues.
Although
effective, there are many drawbacks as the mask is large and
cumbersome, and is prone to skin irritation and may cause claustrophobic
feelings. Lately, there have been variations of CPAP that may
be less burdensome.
Surgery is a well-known corrective procedure of sleep apnea.
UPPP (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) is a surgical procedure that
removes the enlarged tissues in the throat. A laser procedure
variation of this surgery is also commonly used, although this
may be more beneficial to eliminating snoring than to sleep
apnea.
The
good news about sleep apnea is that if the obstruction is eliminated,
the associations of high blood pressure and other serious conditions
can be reversed. Preventing sleeping on the back seems to prevent
sleep apnea from occurring. Sewing a tennis ball in the back
of ones nightshirt, or using a corrective pillow can help avoid
lying on the back.
For
those who are obese, weight reduction is an important component.
Alcohol users should strongly restrain or curb their consumption.
Smoking and sleeping pills need be avoided. Dont take sleep
apnea lying down!
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