It is believed that the Greek phrase “apnea” literally means “without breath.” Sleep anapnea can be a serious sleep disorder that manifests when breathing stops for more than 10 seconds in sleep. It could be moderate, mild or even serious, depending on how often in an hour the person’s breathing ceases (apnea) or gets fast (hypopnea). Apnea episodes can occur anywhere between 5 and 50 times per hour.
Based on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) sleep apnea is a problem that affects approximately twelve million Americans. But due to the lack of awareness among the public and the lack of understanding by healthcare professionals, it’s believed that the majority of cases go undiagnosed, regardless of the seriousness of the condition and the effects.
There are three kinds of sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA) or mixed sleep apnea (MSA). OSA is considered to be the most frequent form of sleep apnea. It can be caused due to a narrowing in the airway. This usually occurs when the soft tissue at the back of the throat shrinks and is closed when you sleep. In CSA the airway isn’t blocked, but the brain is unable to instruct breathing muscles because of unstable breathing control centre. Mixed Apnea is a mixture of both.
What are the consequences?
In every type of apnea the brain temporarily wakes individuals, which causes them to begin breathing again, which causes unreliable, low quality sleep. In the end, sleep apnea could also result in low performance in daily activitieslike school or work motor vehicle accidensa as well as academic inequities among adolescents and children.
If untreated sleep apnea may cause an increase in the frequency of health issues, including hypertension, stroke , heart failure irregular heartbeats, as well as heart attacks. Furthermore, memory problems and headaches, weight gain and even impotency, can happen because of sleep apnea that isn’t treated.
Who is at risk?
Sleep apnea is a problem that can strike all ages and even children. However, risk factors are as follows:
Being overweight
A neck that is large (17 inches or more in males and 16 inches or greater for women)
Male gender
Aged over forty
A family history of sleep apnea.
African Americans, Hispanics and Pacific Islanders have a greater chance of developing sleep apnea than Caucasions. In addition, African Americans tend to suffer from sleep apnea much earlier age.
Women who have gone through menopausal. Menopausal women suffer from sleep apnea in a manner comparable to men.
Certain conditions can lead to facial and head abnormalities, like Marfan’s Syndrome and Down Syndrome.
To be screened – If think you may are suffering from sleep apnea or other sleep disorders, you should examine your insurance policy prior to making an appointment as you might be required to obtain an appointment with an expert in sleep by your primary care doctor. You might also be required to visit the right test facility. Some insurance policies don’t cover for diagnosis and/or treatment of sleep disorders. Other policies do not cover durable medical equipment. Moreover, diagnosis and treatment may be costly that can exceed 1,000 dollars. Doctors who are experts in sleep medicine might be Pulmonologists (specializing in the lungs) and neurologists (the brain) and Otolaryngologists (the ears and throat), nose and) and psychotherapy (mental medical) and primary care doctors. Certain doctors might be certified by the American Board of Sleep medicine (ABSM). They also possess degrees that meet the standards of the board. If you’re certified you’re likely to be directed to a sleep clinic. If your doctor does not refer you to a specific sleep center, you can visit http://www.aasmnet.org/ for the most up to date list of accredited member sleep centers and laboratories.
In the sleep center there is the possibility to take part in a sleep study that utilizes a variety of devices to track your activities during sleep. These generally include an electroencelphalogram (EEG) to measure brain waves and an electroculogram (EOG) to measure eye and chin movement, both to monitor the different stages of sleep. Electrocardiogram (EKG) will determine heart rate and rhythm. It also includes chest bands that measure breathing patterns, and monitors to measure carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in blood and monitors that record the movement of legs. The devices are not uncomfortable and there aren’t any needles to be used.
Treatment Options:
In general, your physician will suggest lifestyle modifications as well as CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy, however surgery is an option should the treatments do not work. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association identifies CPAP therapy as the most commonly used treatment for this condition. CPAP therapy prevents breathing passages from shutting while you sleep. It is administered prior to bedtime via an ointment or facial mask, which is secured by Velcro straps that are placed around the head of the patient. Masks are connected via tubes to an air compressor. The CPAP machine pumps air under stress through the tube, and into the mask. There, it gives positive pressure to the upper airways, stopping the tissues that line the throat’s back from collapsing in sleep.
CPAP therapy is an extremely effective type of treatment, but the most significant issue is not being able to comply. It is estimated that more than 65% of patients use the device for just 4 hours at night and it is recommended to use it throughout the patient’s sleeping. In many instances patients, patients use the CPAP only one or two nights during the week.