What is Sleep Apnea?

 

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which a person’s breathing is interrupted during sleep. Approximately 18 million Americans have sleep apnea, though many are not diagnosed with the sleep disorder. Oftentimes the person who suffers from sleep apnea is not even aware their breathing is stopped or slowed during sleep; rather, they are told about their condition by others who witness it. They may also suffer from symptoms of sleep apnea without knowing that is what they derive from. People with sleep apnea often exhibit “excessive daytime sleepiness,” moodiness, depression and a decrease in altertness. A polysomnogram (or sleep study) allows a sleep doctor or technician to diagnose the condition

 

Sleep apnea usually is a chronic (ongoing) condition that disrupts your sleep. When your breathing pauses or becomes shallow, you’ll often move out of deep sleep and into light sleep.

 

As a result, the quality of your sleep is poor, which makes you tired during the day.

 

Sleep apnea is a leading cause of excessive daytime sleepiness.

Overview

Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed.

 

Doctors usually can't detect the condition during routine office visits. Also, no blood test can help diagnose the condition.

 

Most people who have sleep apnea don't know they have it because it only occurs during sleep. A family member or bed partner might be the first to notice signs of sleep apnea.

 

The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. In this condition, the airway collapses or becomes blocked during sleep. This causes shallow breathing or breathing pauses.

 

When you try to breathe, any air that squeezes past the blockage can cause loud snoring. Obstructive sleep apnea is more common in people who are overweight, but it can affect anyone. For example, small children who have enlarged tonsil tissues in their throats may have obstructive sleep apnea.

 

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Often the first signs of OSA are recognized not by the patient, but by the bed partner.

 

Many of those affected have no sleep complaints. The most common symptoms of OSA include:

• Snoring

• Daytime sleepiness or fatigue

• Restlessness during sleep

• Sudden awakenings with a sensation of gasping or choking

• Dry mouth or sore throat upon awakening

• Intellectual impairment, such as trouble concentrating, forgetfulness, or irritability

• Night sweats

• Sexual dysfunction

• Headaches

 

People with central sleep apnea more often report recurrent awakenings or insomnia, although may also experience a choking or gasping sensation upon awakening.

 

 

What are the effects of sleep apnea?

If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in a number of health problems including:

• Stroke

• Cardiac arrhythmias

• Cardiac cardiomyopathy (enlargement of the muscle tissue of the heart)

• Congestive heart failure

• Heart attacks

• Diabetes

• Obesity

• Depression/Anxiety

• Sexual dysfunction

• Cognitive defects

• Vascular changes

• Gastric reflux

• Morning headaches

 

In addition, untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for job impairment, work-related accidents, and motor vehicle crashes as well as academic underachievement in children and adolescents.