Questions On Sleep Apnea

Thesis: Sleep Apnea is becoming more of a dangerous disease that more people are starting to be diagnosed with. It is extremely important that Sleep Apnea is emphasized so that more people are aware of it.

Sleep apnea is a common sleeping disorder where a person has experiences of not breathing during sleep. Over 20 million Americans, mostly overweight men, suffer from sleep apnea. Despite these numbers, sleep apnea is often not treated directly because its symptoms are thought to be those of depression, stress, or just loud snoring. There may be a genetic component to this disorder as it often occurs within families.People with sleep apnea stop breathing for at least 10 seconds at a time; these short stops in breathing can happen up to 400 times every night.

Sleep apnea is a chronic sleeping disorder that disrupts the normal sleeping patter. It prevent a person from getting in to a deep sleep that the body needs to rest. If left untreated, it can other health related issues, work related incidents, or fatal driving accident due to sleep deprivation. Early detection is key to proper diagnosis and treatment. Contact your physician if you think you might have or show signs of sleep apnea. Treatment could just be as easy as a simple lifestyle

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common, yet under recognized condition. It is estimated that some form of OSA affects approximately 17% of the adult population. Over the years, this number has consistently increased possibly secondary to the rising prevalence of obesity in the population [1]. The pathophysiology of OSA is postulated to be related to decreased parasympathetic activity during sleep, leading to decreased muscle tone in the upper airway, which can lead to repetitive collapse of the upper airway, causing the characteristic apneic or hypopneic events that define the diagnosis of OSA [2].

Apnea is defined as the cessation of respiratory airflow. Sleep Apnea is a growing disorder affecting children and adults without discrimination to age, gender, race or sex. There are three main categories of apnea: central, obstructive, and mixed. Although there are many forms of sleeping disorders Central Sleep Apnea(CSA) is classified to be a less common sleeping disorder characterized by life threating health conditions not limited to death if not diagnosed in a timely fashion and treated to prevent or reduce the symptoms that cause the apnea threshold Pac02 levels to increase or decrease with cessation of airflow during sleep. Central sleep apnea can increase the risk stroke, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. Only ten to fifteen percent people with sleep- disordered breathing are classified as having Central Sleep Apnea. Common sign and symptoms of Central Sleep Apnea include trouble staying awake, shortness of breath, abnormal breathing patterns during sleep, and sudden awakenings coupled with shortness of breath. Central Sleep Apnea occurs when there is a decline in respiratory effort and as a result of inadequate medullary responsiveness or poor muscle coordination for breathing. Central sleep apnea can be split into more than one main category depending on the underlying conditions that contribute to the specific disorder. Depending on which type of central sleep apnea a person has, a doctor will recommend therapy, medications, or surgery to treat the

Sleep apnea is characterized in a similar manner to hypopnea, a lack of airflow and oxygen levels at night whilst sleeping. However there are some key differences. Sleep hypopnea is a part of the obstructive sleep apnea family, and therefore has to deal with any obstructions that occur in the airways whilst sleeping (Phillips, 2015). Central sleep apnea, is another type of sleep apnea that can occur in people. This apnea is very different from obstructive sleep apnea. This apnea is caused because the brain temporarily fails to signal to the muscles that are in charge of controlled breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea is referred to as a mechanical problem, whereas central sleep apnea is referred to as a communication problem (Phillips, 2015). Central sleep apnea is much less common than obstructive sleep apnea and it can be caused by medical conditions that affect the brainstem. The symptoms of central sleep apnea are very similar to obstructive sleep apnea: stopping breathing or irregular breathing during sleep, shortness of breath leading to awakenings, chronic fatigue, excessive daytime drowsiness, morning headaches, poor/restless sleep, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, and snoring (Phillips, 2015). The treatment for central sleep apnea is by using a CPAP machine or a BPAP machine (which is very similar to a CPAP), certain medications have also been known to help stimulate proper breathing whilst sleeping (Phillips, 2015). Finally, the last kind of sleep apnea that can occur is complex sleep apnea. This type of sleep apnea is a mixture of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Essentially, this type of apnea occurs because of slight obstruction and the brain failing to properly inform the muscles to breathe (Phillip, 2015). BPAP machines and Adaptive servo ventilators “have shown successful use as the machines are capable of performing a

In sleep apnea, an individual has trouble inhaling because the airways between the lungs, nose and mouth have collapsed while the person is sleeping. The sleeper is often awakened several times each night for short moments as they wake up gasping for air.

Doctors don’t just prescribe medications for treatment of sleep apnea there are other options. They may prescribe Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Device (CPAP), oral device (OA), surgery, and diet. (Ronald M. Harper, 1988) The outcome depends on the patients’ compliance to treatment. I would like to explain what causes OSA, the treatments for OSA, and the negative effects if left untreated.

According to the National heart, lung, and blood institute website, “Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which a person has one or more pauses in breathing or weak breaths while they sleep” (NIH-National heart, lung and blood Institute, 2012, definition). The pauses and breathing can last from a few seconds to minutes, and breathing pauses may happen 30 times or more an hour. After the pauses, normal breathing can start but with a loud snort or choking sound (NIH-National heart, lung and blood Institute, 2012, definition). Sleep Apnea can be categorized in three types: obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea and complex sleep apnea syndrome.

Treating obstructive sleep apnea is important to a person’s health as it can be a significant threat to safety. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliance therapy and surgery are the options to cure OSA.

Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing pauses during sleep. When you have sleep apnea, you move out of deep sleep and into light sleep. As a result, you do not sleep well and your body does not get the rest it needs. If sleep apnea is not treated, it can lead to:

​Sleep apnea is a chronic sleep disorder which causes repeated cessation of breath (apnea) while a person is sleeping. Some characteristics of sleep apnea are loud snoring, breathlessness, waking up from sleep, and daytime sleepiness. It is estimated that only 2-4% of the general population has sleep apnea.1-3 Compared to the general population, sleep apnea is much more common in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). The prevalence of sleep apnea in ESRD patients, according to many reports, fall between 50 and 60%.2-4This estimate mainly derives from self-report questionnaire results. Other reports estimate that sleep apnea occurs in about 70-80% of ESRD patients.1, 3.5 This higher estimate results from polysomnography tests results.3

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form between both sleep apneas. OSA occurs when the upper airway collapse during sleep. Collapse of the upper airway may cause decreases in ventilation, but not complete cessation of it, with desaturation and arousal (hypopnea) and/or complete cessation of airflow for more than 10 seconds entitled apnea (Figure 1) 1. Common symptoms of OSA are frequent arousal, snoring, choking/gasping, daytime sleepiness, increased carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood (hypercapnea), and a decrease of oxygen level in the body (hypoxia). As stated before, OSA is more common in men than in women. Other factors that influence OSA are those with an increased body mass index, thick neck/circumference, small erythematous oropharynx, position of body during sleep (most commonly the supine position), medication, alcohol, or pre-existing cardiac complications2. Usually, OSA is diagnosed by a sleep doctor monitoring the patient during a polysomnography (sleep study). Having a sleep study done is the gold standard diagnostic for assessing sleep-disordered breathing. There is monitoring of the airflow of the nose and mouth, end tidal CO2, the patient’s sleep state by electroencephalography, movement of the chest and abdomen, pulse oximetry, and blood pressure. “The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)—the number of obstructive events per hour—is the most commonly used measurement to quantify OSA: mild OSA = 5 to 15 events/hour; moderate = 15 to 30

Sleep apnea is usually years in making, and the pauses can last from 10 seconds to a minute. It can happen at any age, but more likely in thirties and forties when muscle tones become flabbier, and weight gain takes a toll.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea can be considered as a serious sleep disorder and sometimes even dangerous if left untreated as it means that your body has repeated episodes of airway obstruction occurring during your sleep, also known as Apnea events. The obstruction is commonly caused by the relaxation of the muscles in the tongue and the airway. OSA is typically the most common form of sleep apnea. More men than women suffer from it and it generally gets worse if left untreated. This may cause later health complications like heart failure or obesity. That is why if you have any signs or symptoms of sleep apnea, it is advised that you take a Sleep Study so that your sleep problems can be analysed and treated quickly, to ensure