Sleep Apnea: An Overview

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep Apnea is a more common night breathing disorder which affects more than 15 million Americans. Sleep apnea affects people of all ages; even kids can suffer with sleep apnea. Without therapy, living with the disorder may cause significant complications such as daytime sleepiness, increased danger of heart attack and stroke, obesity, mood disorders and poor daytime function. Many people that have sleep apnea do not understand they have the condition; even though their sleep is frequently interrupted during the night. People suffering from sleep apnea will wake frequently through the night out because of their oxygen being limited or completely cut off. When apnea sufferers wake up, regular breathing is restored; nevertheless, they don't enter a state of complete wakefulness. The apneic events may continue unnoticed because victims do not fully awake or recognize they're waking out the evening. Together with sleep apnea, breathing can temporarily cease or become trivial countless times throughout a night's sleep.

A frequently reported symptom related to sleep apnea is daytime sleepiness, some instances being so intense people have reported drifting off at work or even while driving. Other common complaints include lack of focus and poor mental sophistication that may cause poor performance at work and an unfulfilling life. In Greek, "apnea" means "with out breath". There are two kinds of Sleep Apnea, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which is the most typical, and Central Sleep Apnea.

The reason for Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs when the air passage at the rear of the neck becomes obstructed. When muscles in the throat relax, this results in the soft palate to relax as well, which subsequently narrows the tooth. The same class of events also causes snoring, though, not all men and women who snore have obstructive sleep apnea. As one gets in through the nose or mouth, your airway narrows farther or totally shuts and cuts breath short. The airflow restriction triggers a gasping feeling, which prompts a period of shallow wakefulness. While partially alert, normal breathing is restored. This constant congestion of the airway could occur several times a day replaying the path of events through out the night, causing an inexplicable night of sleep.

Central Sleep Apnea happens when your mind fails to deliver impulses into the human body to breath. Central Sleep Apnea takes its title in the Central Nervous System, which regulates the body's essential functions. This uncertainty from the brain's respiratory management center could have many causes, the most frequent being central nervous system dysfunctions or individuals who have suffered a stroke. Individuals who suffer from heart failure or other cardiovascular and heart conditions may also create Central Sleep Apnea.

Who apnea affects...

Obstructive Sleep Apnea can affect men and women, at any age, as well as children can develop sleep apnea. Men are at higher risk. The risk increases if you're over weight and more than twenty decades of age. Other risk factors include a huge neck dimensions; 17 inches or greater for males or 16 inches or higher for women. Large tonsils or a massive amount of tissue at the back of the throat can cause greater congestion and greater risk as well. Obstructive Sleep Apnea may run in families, indicating that there may be a hereditary element.

The way apnea affects your body and brain...

There are lots of diverse effects sleep apnea can have on you, both physically and emotionally, which range from mildly bothersome to life endangering. 1 effect is excessive daytime sleepiness. The majority of individuals do not realize if they drift away for a minute or two, but the effects can be catastrophic. Sufferers can see they have a difficulty concentrating and a gain in forgetfulness or difficulty understanding new things. A few of the signs of sleep apnea can be confused with symptoms of depression as they're so similar; personality changes, irritability, and mood swings, memory problems, feeling lethargic and perhaps even feeling depressed are a number of the shared similarities.

Signs and Symptoms...

A frequent indication of obstructive sleep apnea could be a sore or dry throat in the morning upon waking. Often people with apnea may wake up many times a night, sometimes by using their own snoring, or by a gasping sensation caused with their airway being blocked. These wakeful periods during the night disrupt their sleep and lead to daytime sleepiness, which is another well reported symptom. Some other symptoms could be noticed; like forgetfulness, mood swings, headaches or even a decreased libido. Individuals with central sleep apnea may experience lots of the very same symptoms as people with obstructive sleep apnea.

How is it diagnosed?

Only a medical professional can diagnose Sleep Apnea. If you're doubtful you have sleep apnea or suffer from the typical symptoms, visit your health care provider. Your health care provider may recommend you have a sleep test performed to determine the cause of your symptoms; your exam usually contains a polysomnogram or a Multiple Sleep Latency Test. A polysomnogram will electrically monitor your pulse, breathing and muscle activity throughout a night of sleep. A sleep expert and your healthcare provider will analyze the digital records generated. A Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) will simply measure how much time it takes one to fall asleep or if you are apt to fall asleep if you would normally be awake. If sleep apnea is detected during the sleep study, you could be requested back for additional testing to find the most appropriate treatment.

What to expect...

Sleep tests are usually performed in sleep centers or centers. After you arrive, you'll have a private space, which might be decorated to feel more like home than a medical centre. Some hospitals or centers allow you to deliver your clothes to sleep in, to encourage relaxation and a sense of ease. Your area will be near the monitoring area in which the sleeping technicians can track the info accumulated by the polysomnograph. When you are ready to sleep with the technicians will attach the monitoring apparatus. Most people have little trouble sleeping with them as they include a couple electrodes, a belt to monitor your pulse and breathing, along with an oximeter fitted over a fingertip to gauge the oxygen level in your blood.

If your health care provider wants you to get a MSLT, it will most likely be done at a sleep center or clinic as well. The test is done to assess the amount of time that it requires for you to attain sleep, or to decide whether you're predisposed to fall asleep when you need to be completely awake. A sleep technologist may video tape you while you sleep to record your moves during the evening or to be aware the amount of occasions you drift off during your regular waking time.

What could be done?

There are a number of different treatment options for sleep apnea ranging from conservative treatment to major operation.

The most common treatment is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). A CPAP system consists of a specially fitted mask which covers your nose or mouth as you are sleeping. The machine delivers a continuous flow of air into your nostrils. The pressurized air flowing in your airways boosts open airways thus breathing is not impaired while you sleep.

Some people with obstructive sleep apnea find their cure with dental devices. These appliances are especially made to keep airways open during sleep. Dentists which have a specialty dealing with obstructive sleep apnea, personalize the apparatus to the wearer.

Surgery is a treatment choice for apnea as well. Surgical options often involve procedures that attempt to raise the diameter of the upper airway.

Individuals with sleep apnea might be instructed to make lifestyle adjustments. Some suggestions could include weight loss to alleviate constriction of the throat. Avoidance of alcohol, over-the-counter sedatives and other unnecessary sedating agents can also be recommended, because these can further loosen the muscles in the back of the throat.

How to proceed?

See your doctor for a test if you believe you are experiencing the symptoms mentioned above for example daytime sleepiness, coughing and snoring, morning headaches, or waking through out the evening. Only a trained medical care provider can diagnose sleep apnea. Your health care provider will evaluate your sleeping troubles and might consult with a sleep specialist, who has specific training in sleep medication. Sleep apnea is a serious medical illness that may cause other conditions like high blood pressure, heart attack, irregular heart disease or stroke therefore early treatment is desired.