Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is described as the cessation of breathing during sleep.

What is actually occurring is the intermittent and repetitive closure of the airway druing sleep. This begins a vicious circle of events. The patient falls asleep, the airway closes. Then in response to closure and the need to breathe, the brain wakes up briefly, the patient breathes; the brain retruns to sleep and the circle begins again. These events may occur hundreds of times across the night resulting in severely fragmented sleep, poor oxygenation and daytime sleepiness.

The corrective treatment most often used is nasal CPAP. This is a tight fitting mask, connected via a flexible tubing to an air pump. This allows a positive pressure of air to splint the airway open. The patient breathes well, sleeps well and shortly is no longer sleepy. Other treatment options include: ENT surgery, weight loss, position changes, and dental appliances. If you choose surgery or dental appliance, it is important to note that the symptom of snoring may be corrected but apnea may remain. Always see your sleep specialist for followup which may include another sleep study.

Sleep apnea is prevalent in 4-10% of industrialized societies and perhaps as high as 30% of the elderly population.

Do you have sleep apnea?

Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:

• Loud snoring, snorting and gasping
• Restless, non-restorative sleep
• Excessive daytime sleepiness