What is Sleep
Apnea?
Sleep apnea can
be a serious
sleep disorder.
If you have
sleep apnea you
may stop
breathing for 10
to 30 seconds at
a time while you
are sleeping.
These short
stops in
breathing can
happen up to 400
times every
night. If you
have sleep
apnea, the
periods of not
breathing may
make you wake up
from deep sleep.
If you are
waking up all
night long, you
aren't getting
enough rest from
your sleep.
There are two
kinds of sleep
apnea:
obstructive
apnea
and
central apnea.
Obstructive
sleep apnea is
the most common
type. Nine out
of 10 people
with sleep apnea
have this type
of apnea. If you
have obstructive
apnea, something
is blocking the
passage or
windpipe (called
the trachea)
that brings air
into your body.
When you try to
breathe, you
can't get enough
air because of
the blockage.
Your windpipe
might be blocked
by your tongue,
tonsils or uvula
(the little
piece of flesh
that hangs down
in the back of
your throat). It
might also be
blocked by a
large amount of
fatty tissue in
the throat or
even by relaxed
throat muscles.
Central sleep
apnea is rare.
This type of
sleep apnea is
related to the
function of the
central nervous
system. If you
have this type
of apnea, the
muscles you use
to breathe don't
get the
"go-ahead"
signal from your
brain. Either
the brain
doesn't send the
signal, or the
signal gets
interrupted.
Is it common?
Experts and
doctors estimate
that about 18
million
Americans have
sleep apnea. Men
and people who
are over 40
years old are
more likely to
have sleep
apnea, but it
can affect
anyone at any
age. If you are
interested in
meeting other
people who have
sleep apnea, you
can visit the
American Sleep
Apnea
Association's
Web site to find
the location of
a support group
near you.
Do I have sleep
apnea?
Because some of
the symptoms of
sleep apnea
occur while
you're sleeping,
the person you
sleep with may
notice it first.
You, or that
person, may
notice heavy
snoring or long
pauses in your
breathing during
sleep. Even if
you don't
remember waking
up during the
night, you may
notice daytime
sleepiness (such
as falling
asleep at work,
while driving or
when talking),
irritability or
fatigue.
You may also
experience
morning
headaches,
forgetfulness,
mood changes and
a decreased
interest in sex.
Your doctor can
diagnose sleep
apnea. He or she
may ask you if
you feel tired
or sleepy during
the day. Your
doctor may also
want to know
about your
bedtime habits
and how well you
sleep. Your
doctor may ask
you to go to a
sleep center for
a sleep study.
Tests done at
the sleep center
may reveal which
kind of sleep
apnea you have.
You may need to
take some
equipment home
with you to do a
sleep study
there.
Is it dangerous?
Sleep apnea can
cause serious
problems if it
isn't treated.
Your risk of
heart disease
and stroke is
higher if
serious sleep
apnea goes
untreated. You
are also more
likely to have
traffic
accidents if you
drive while
you're sleepy.
If you have
sleep apnea, it
is very
important for
you to get
treatment.
Can I treat it?
Yes.
The following
steps help many
people who have
sleep apnea
sleep better:
Stop all use of
alcohol or sleep
medicines. These
relax the
muscles in the
back of your
throat, making
it harder for
you to breathe.
If you smoke,
quit smoking.
If you are
overweight, lose
weight.
Sleep on your
side instead of
on your back.
How is sleep
apnea treated?
Certain dental
devices can be
used to treat
mild cases of
obstructive
sleep apnea.
These devices
move your jaw
forward to make
breathing
easier.
A common
treatment for
sleep apnea is
called
"continuous
positive airway
pressure," or
CPAP. For this
treatment, you
wear a special
mask over your
nose and mouth
while you are
sleeping. The
mask will keep
your airway open
by adding
pressure to the
air you breathe.
It helps most
people who have
sleep apnea.
In very few
cases, surgery
is necessary to
remove tonsils
or extra tissue
from the throat.
If you
think you or a
loved one may
have
symptoms of a
sleep disorder,
please
contact us
today.
Help
is available!
