What is Sleep Apnea?

Are you feeling sleepy all the time? Do you snore? Is your doctor having a difficult time treating your high blood pressure?  If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then you might have Sleep Apnea (also called Obstructive Sleep Apnea or OSA).

Sleep Apnea is a condition involving pauses or decreases in breathing during sleep.  It is usually due to airway collapse.  This collapse occurs in the nose and/or the throat – anywhere from where air enters the nostrils to the back of the tongue.  Imagine a straw collapsing when trying to suck on a thick milkshake. Frequently, this airway collapsibility problem is inherited and starts in childhood.  In the daytime, it is not a problem because there is good muscle-tone in the airway and the brain monitors breathing.  But at night, the throat muscles become relaxed and the brain is not as attentive to the airway.  So on inhalation, the airway walls can either completely collapse or significantly narrow.  This is a problem because 1) the body must struggle to breathe and 2) the brain has to “wake up” to reopen the airway.

These frequent awakenings lead to fragmentation of nighttime sleep.  You may not remember them because they are so short.  In fact, patients with sleep apnea can wake-up more than 30 times an hour and think that they slept uninterrupted through the night.  Since sleep must be continuous and consolidated in order to be restorative, a number of cognitive problems can occur with sleep fragmentation: daytime sleepiness, memory problems, concentration difficulties, emotional instability, irritability, slowed reaction time, and most importantly, an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents.

There are also cardiovascular consequences of this constant “struggling to breathe.”  This puts a strain on the heart and blood vessels, leading to increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

Finally, there are social implications to Sleep Apnea.  The snoring associated with sleep apnea can disrupt the sleep of others.  In fact, one study showed that when a person treats his/her sleep apnea, the sleep partner gets the equivalent of one hour more sleep per night.

Sleep apnea is a progressive disease and often gets worse with age.  Weight gain, alcohol, and other sedating/relaxing substances exacerbate it.

Who Gets Sleep Apnea?

A common misconception is that only overweight men that snore loudly have sleep apnea, but the facts are:

1) Sleep apnea can occur without snoring
2) Thin people can have sleep apnea
3) Women can have sleep apnea
4) Children can have sleep apnea

In other words, anyone can have it. Even skinny women.  Even children.

I Think I Might Have Sleep Apnea, How Do I Find Out If I Have It?

Make an appointment with your primary care physician, or if your insurance allows it, go straight to a sleep specialist. If your physician thinks you might have sleep apnea, then he/she can refer you for a sleep study or comprehensive sleep evaluation.

How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?

There are four main categories of treatment for sleep apnea: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), Surgery, Oral Appliances, and Behavioral Modification. 

The most effective way to treat sleep apnea is with CPAP.  CPAP is a mask worn over the nose attached by a hose to an air compressor.  The air compressor gently and quietly blows room-air into the nose, which “stents” the airway open, preventing airway collapse.  This is the most effective way to treat sleep apnea, and all patients diagnosed with sleep apnea should at least try it before considering other options.

Surgery can be an effective way to treat sleep apnea. A number of different procedures can be performed.  These range from nasal septum repair to jaw reconstruction.  Talk to your doctor about whether surgery is the right option for you.

An oral appliance is a device made by a dentist or an orthodontist designed to pull your lower jaw forward.  By pulling your lower jaw forward, the tongue is pulled away from the back of the throat.  If your airway obstruction is occurring behind the tongue, then this can be an effective way to treat your sleep apnea.  The treatment of sleep apnea with oral appliance should be a coordinated effort between the sleep physician, the dentist/orthodontist, and the patient.

Behavioral modifications can help in the treatment of sleep apnea, but are usually the least effective.  These include such techniques as weight loss, sleeping on your side, and avoiding alcohol before bedtime.

None of these treatment options is ideal, but they all can be useful in treating sleep apnea and resulting in more restful sleep.  With risks like heart attack and stroke, you should do everything you can to get your sleep apnea under control.  If you think you have sleep apnea, contact your doctor or go to a sleep center.  It could be the best decision you ever made.

What is Sleep Apnea and do I Have it?

Sleep apnea, also referred to as sleep apnoea, is a common sleep disorder. It's characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. These episodes, called apneas, last 10 seconds or more and occur repeatedly throughout the night. People with sleep apnea partially awaken as they struggle to breathe, but in the morning they may not be aware of the disturbances in their sleep.

The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), caused by relaxation of soft tissue in the back of the throat that blocks the passage of air. Central sleep apnea (CSA) is caused by irregularities in the brain’s normal signals to breathe. Some people with sleep apnea have a combination of both types.

OSA is more common in men than women and in people who are overweight or obese. Here are some symptoms to look for if you suspect you are suffering from this disorder.

* Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
* Restless Sleep
* Loud Snoring (With Periods Of Silence Followed By Gasps)
* Falling Asleep During The Day
* Morning Headaches
* Trouble Concentrating
* Irritability
* Forgetfulness
* Mood or Behavior Changes
* Weight Gain
* Increased Heart Rate
* Anxiety
* Depression

Most people with sleep apnea have obstructive apnea "OSA", in which the person stops breathing during sleep due to airway blockage. Breathing is resumed within a few seconds, but periods of as long as sixty seconds are not uncommon in serious cases.

OSA is more common amongst people who snore, who are obese, who consume alcohol, or who have anatomical abnormalities of the jaw or soft palate. However, atypical cases do occur, and the condition should not be ruled out unilaterally merely because the patient does not fit the profile.

"OSA" is caused by the relaxation of the muscles in the airway during sleep. Whilst the vast majority of people successfully maintain an open upper airway and breathe normally during sleep, a significant number of individuals are prone to severe narrowing or occlusion of the pharynx, such that breathing is impeded or even completely obstructed. As the brain senses a build-up of carbon dioxide, airway muscles are activated which open the airway, allowing breathing to resume but interrupting deep sleep.

The prognosis is that sleep apnea left untreated can be life threatening. Excessive daytime sleepiness can cause people to fall asleep at inappropriate times, such as while driving. Sleep apnea appears to put individuals at risk for stroke. Successful treatment can also reduce the risk of heart and blood pressure problems.

Sleep Apnea: It Can Take Your Breath Away (but Not In A Good Way)

You know the feeling you get when you see an attractive person? It feels like your heart stops beating for a few seconds and you can’t seem to breathe, let alone find a way to put together a sentence and speak to that person.

Now think about this: what if the same thing happened to you in your sleep? You probably wouldn’t believe that it could happen. However, it can, and it happens to millions of people each night. It’s called sleep apnea.

What is sleep apnea? Well, sleep apnea is a serious sleeping disorder that often causes you to stop breathing for several seconds. When you stop breathing, it causes a sharp drop in oxygen in your blood and interrupts your sleep. Sleep apnea can signal a more serious health problem that can be dangerous if not treated.

So now that you know the answer to ‘what is sleep apnea’, how do you know if you suffer from it? Well, if you wake up in the middle of the night with a strong urge to go to the bathroom, you may have it. Or, if you snore, feel tired all day or wake up gasping for air, you may suffer from sleep apnea as well.

If you think you suffer from sleep apnea, visit your doctor as soon as possible. He will be able to answer your questions, like “what is sleep apnea” and then actually diagnose it by administering a sleep study commonly known as polysomnography and a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure.)

Your doctor will also be able to determine what form of sleep apnea you have: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA.) Obstructive sleep apnea is cause by the obstruction of the air path, usually by swelling, an enlarged uvula or fat (common in obese people.) The obstructions reduce the amount of oxygen that can go into the lungs, thus causing the person to gasp for air because there isn’t enough going in. Obstructive sleep apnea needs to be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible because it can cause other health problems like hypertension.

Central sleep apnea happens when the brain doesn’t send the appropriate signals to the respiratory muscles. When the signals aren’t there, the muscles don’t know to breathe and breathing will stop for an extended period of time-usually ten to twenty seconds. Central sleep apnea is prevalent in people who had cardiovascular problems as infants or have congenital heart defects. To treat central sleep apnea, the underlying cause (heart problems) must be treated too.

When someone tells you that they have problems sleeping, ask them if they have sleep apnea. If they ask you, “what is sleep apnea,” you can educate them and help them seek treatment. Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can cause more health problems in life. See a doctor right away if you think you may have sleep apnea. Seeking treatment early is the key to fixing the problem, getting a better night’s sleep and preventing major health problems down the line.

Living With Sleep Apnea After You Have Been Diagnosed

Sleeplessness is not normal, and do not fall victim to that myth! This simply isn't true. Sleep apnea is a fact of life for many people and is something everyone needs to know about.

Get a personally made mouth guard just for you. These are a great aid to sufferers of sleep apnea. This is something that works well instead of using a CPAP, and it's more comfortable. You will find that this mouth guard stabilizes the soft tissues and allows the airways to be more open.

Going to bed on your side can be something you can do to help you get better rest if you have sleep apnea. Back sleeping promotes airway obstruction. Make a point of falling to sleep on your side and see if that doesn't alleviate some of your sleep apnea symptoms tonight.

Don't take sleeping pills if you can avoid it. Much like alcohol, sleeping pills can relax your throat muscles. They're also known for causing other problems in those that have to deal with sleep apnea. Discuss alternative methods for getting to sleep without altering your breathing with your physician.

Try sleeping on your side. Sleeping on your back is attributed to a lot of people who suffer with sleep apnea. Your airway can become obstructed if you sleep on your back. Sleeping on one's side is a better option. If you move around at night and tend to always wind up on your back, try propping yourself up with pillows.

Avoid sleeping pills when you find out you realize you are diagnosed with sleep apnea. They can relax your throat muscles, making it hard to get enough air when you sleep. Sleep medicines can cause more problems and can even be dangerous for people with apnea.

Many doctors ask patients to keep sleep logs to help diagnose sleep apnea. You will record when you sleep and when you awaken and anything else that happens during your sleeping hours. Your spouse can inform you of any excessive snoring, jerking, or momentary lapses in your breathing. This type of data can help your doctor diagnose the issue.

Try to sleep on a regular schedule if you have sleep apnea. Your sleep apnea is already affecting your sleep. Do whatever you can to restore your natural sleeping patterns, and you will find that you can handle the apnea a bit easier. The best thing you can do is fall asleep around the same time each night and wake up around the same time each day.

If you suffer from sleep apnea and you use a CPAP, carry your medical ID. Should something happen to you that requires medical attention, this will alert others of your condition. The ID should say that you have this condition, you require a CPAP, and it should identify the pressure levels you require for effective treatment.

You should now be more aware of the dangers of sleep apnea and will be better equipped to watch for its symptoms. Feeling tired all the time isn't normal and you should consult with your doctor.