Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Snoring is an age-old problem and by itself is considered more of an
annoyance than a major health threat. Sleep Apnea however is quite
different and can be a potentially dangerous condition that requires
proper diagnosis and treatment.



It is thought that 90 percent of people who suffer with Sleep Apnea are
rarely aware of their condition and are only made aware by a family
member who has witnessed an event.



Sleep Apnea is a characterized by pauses or blockages of breathing
during sleep. The most common form is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and
occurs when the muscles at the back of the throat collapse around the
opening blocking the airways. This deprives the person of oxygen for
several seconds up to a minute or longer.



The brain then becomes aware of the oxygen deprivation and sends out
signals. This startles the person awake and breathing resumes usually
with a gasping, gurgling or loud snoring sound.



The person generally falls back to sleep almost immediately, unaware of
what has happened and this gasping and breathing cycle may be repeated
several times every hour throughout the night. As a result sufferers
experience restless sleep and may wake unrefreshed and fatigued. Other
symptoms may include:



* Morning headaches



* Difficulty in concentrating and memory lapses



* Dry mouth on waking



* Tiredness and irritability during the day often associated with depression and mood swings



There are generally no symptoms that are visible during a doctor's visit
and no blood tests to confirm Sleep Apnea. A diagnosis will initially
be based on family history, the sleep patterns, observations by family
members and other predisposing conditions.



The most reliable basis for diagnosis is a polysomnogram which is
performed in a Sleep Clinic. This is a scan that will monitor brain
activity, oxygen levels, breathing, heart rate and muscular activity
during sleep. It is non-invasive and simply requires sensors to be
attached to the scalp and limbs during sleep.



The most common cause of OSA is obesity and is more common among men
than women. The Elderly are more prone than younger individuals. High
blood pressure and smoking also increase the risk of sleep apnea.



The severity varies considerably from person to person. At the mild end
of the spectrum interruptions to breathing may occur up to five times
per hour whereas in severe cases more than 30 interruptions per hour may
occur. During each of these episodes oxygen levels in the blood drop
resulting in elevated levels of stress hormones. This may lead to
increased risk of high blood pressure and stroke.



There is no medication for Sleep Apnea. However, there are several
approaches to treatment, one of the most important being lifestyle
changes. Losing weight generally leads to improvement in symptoms.
Avoiding alcohol or other sleep inducing drugs may help keep the throat
muscles firm and reduce symptoms.



Surgery may be considered depending on if excess tissue, enlarged tonsils and adenoids are thought to be the cause.



OSA is also commonly treated with a mouthpiece or oral appliance which
is worn in the mouth during sleep and helps to keep the airways open.



Another method is the use of a Constant Positive Airways Pressure (CPAP)
device. This involves wearing a mask over nose and mouth in which air
from a portable oxygen tank is gently blown into airways. This constant
pressure helps to keep the airways open.



Sleep Apnea is a serious condition that could have major long term
health consequences. Since it only occurs when a person is asleep it may
go untreated for a long period of time however once diagnosed, there
are many options and treatment plans available for success.