WHAT IS SLEEP APNEA? Sleep Apnea is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition.  It is a breathing disorder in which a person stops breathing repeatedly during sleep.

These breathing pauses may be as often as 20-60 per hour or more. They may occur up to several hundred times a night disrupting sleep.  As a result, the heart must work harder to circulate blood throughout the body; meanwhile, the body doesn’t get enough oxygen, increasing the risk for serious health problems, as well as affecting daytime alertness, functioning and quality of life. There are three types of sleep apnea: Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep apnea.  During normal sleep, the airway is held open by muscles that control the tongue and soft palate.  If these muscles relax, the airway can become narrowed or even completely blocked, preventing the flow of air in and out of the lungs during sleep. This condition is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea or OSA. Central Sleep Apnea: Central Sleep Apnea is less common and occurs when the brain fails to send the appropriate signals to the breathing muscles to initiate respirations. Mixed Sleep Apnea: Mixed Sleep Apnea is a combination of central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea. WHO GETS SLEEP APNEA? Sleep apnea occurs in all age groups and both sexes but is more common in men (it may be under diagnosed in women).  Conservative estimates state that approximately 20 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. People most likely to have or develop sleep apnea include those who are overweight, snore loudly, have high blood pressure or some physical abnormality in the nose, throat, or other parts of the upper airway.    WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS OF SLEEP APNEA? Obesity Snoring, interrupted by pauses in breathing High blood pressure Depression   Sexual Dysfunction Feel drowsy or fall asleep while driving Gasping or choking during sleep Frequent urination at night Excessive sleepiness or fatigue during the day Morning Headaches Mood Swings Irritability HOW IS SLEEP APNEA DIAGNOSED? Sleep Apnea is diagnosed through a clinical evaluation and Polysomnography (Sleep Study).  A sleep study provides physicians with detailed information about how a person sleeps and breathes. This data enables the physician to determine the type and severity of sleep apnea if it is present, as well as treatment options.   HOW IS SLEEP APNEA TREATED? The good news is that Sleep Apnea is a treatable disorder. The treatment for sleep apnea is tailored to the individual patient based on medical history, physical examination, and the results of the sleep study.  Treatment options are varied and can consist of CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure, pronounced “see-PAP”), weight loss, oral appliances, surgery, and behavioral therapy. CPAP is the most commonly prescribed treatment for sleep apnea in adults.  In this therapy, a CPAP machine delivers air pressure that has been adjusted so that it is just enough to prevent the airway from collapsing during sleep so that air can flow freely to and from the lungs. This air pressure is delivered from the CPAP machine through a mask worn by the patient while they sleep. Most people experience immediate relief from symptoms after beginning CPAP therapy.