Sleep Apnea

OVERVIEW: Sleep apnea is a life threatening condition in which a person stops breathing during the night while they are asleep. Sometimes, but not always, the person with sleep apnea snores when they sleep. It is often a problem for people who are overweight. A person who suffers from sleep apnea will wake up gasping or choking, trying to restart their breathing. This can happen several times a night. In the morning, they might have headaches from lack of oxygen during the night, and often they do not feel refreshed. Like other sleep disorders, sleep apnea reduces the quality of life by hampering one's productivity and causing one's nerves to be on edge all the time.

CAUSES: Most sleep apnea is caused by an obstruction in the airway. There is another type of sleep apnea that is caused by a mis-communication between the brain and the breathing impulse, but this disorder is relatively rare. Obstructive sleep apnea can happen because of an abnormality in the size and shape of the head, neck, tongue, tonsils, or adenoids. Over half of the people who have sleep apnea are obese. In some cases, alcohol or sedatives can cause the muscles of the throat and tongue to relax too much, causing an obstruction in the airway. Smoking, being around second hand smoke, acid reflux, and nasal congestion can also contribute to sleep apnea.

SYMPTOMS: Sleep apnea causes two types of symptoms - those that stem from lack of sleep, and those that occur because of oxygen deprivation. Symptoms from sleep deprivation include irritability, lowered productivity, lack of energy, impaired immune system, sleepiness in the daytime, inability to concentrate, and slow reaction time. Symptoms stemming from oxygen deprivation can be more serious. These include irregular heart beat as well as other problems with the heart, Type II diabetes, stroke, and even premature death. Sexual dysfunction, depression, morning headaches, and learning problems are common as well. A person with sleep apnea is seven times more likely to be in a car wreck than someone who sleeps well.

DIAGNOSIS: Keeping a sleep diary is always a good idea if you suspect a sleep disorder. You can keep track of your periods of wakefulness yourself, but it is helpful to have your spouse or someone else keep track of your snoring, including how loud, as well as any times you choke or gasp in the night. Let the doctor see this record. Sleep physicians generally examine the nose and mouth for obstructions. They might take X rays, or do an endoscopy or a CT scan. They may also recommend a night in a sleep clinic.

TREATMENT OPTIONS: Hopefully, your sleep apnea can be treated with a change in habits. For instance, sleeping on your side, giving up alcohol and sleeping pills, and going to bed at the same time each night can help a lot. One of the best things you can do is lose weight, although that can be hard to do. More invasive methods of treating sleep apnea include the use of a CPAP machine. CPAP stands for "continuous positive airway pressure." This machine blows air into your face all night through a special mask. A dental device is sometimes prescribed, which changes the position of your mouth. In some cases, surgery is necessary to modify the airway shape for easier night breathing.