Sleep Apnea

Snow Canyon Clinic: Sleep Disorders Clinic: Sleep Disorders: Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea

The most common class of sleep disorder, and the one that is potentially the most life threatening, is sleep apnea. "Apnea" means "without breathing," and people with disorders of this type may stop breathing for periods of time as they sleep, with a frequency that in severe cases may approach hundreds of times per night. Studies have shown that the excess sleepiness caused by sleep apnea results in accidents, lost work time, and a variety of personal problems. In addition, untreated sleep apnea can lead to severe medical problems such as impotence, cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes.

The most common type of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. With obstructive sleep apnea, a person's airway is blocked or restricted by excess tissue, usually due to obesity; large tonsils; a large tongue; a jaw that is too small; or muscles in the airway that relax too much. Narrow nasal passages may also restrict proper airflow. Such an airway blockage reduces the amount of oxygen being carried in the blood, thereby preventing proper oxygenation of the body and brain.

The following are typical characteristics of obstructive sleep apnea:

Loud snoring that is often associated with gasping, choking, or snorting that may wake the patient (note that snoring does not always mean that someone has sleep apnea, however)
Heartburn
Morning headaches
Irritability
Difficulty concentrating
Profuse sweating during sleep

Obstructive sleep apnea may caused by structural abnormalities in the airway or by excess weight. Mild obstructive sleep apnea can often be resolved by weight loss alone. Treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea can involve the use of C-PAP or Bi-PAP devices. These devices are worn during sleep to provide pressure within the airway, thereby limiting the obstruction and allowing for unrestricted airflow and a better quality of sleep. Alternatives to these devices include surgery to remove structural abnormalities.

Another form of sleep apnea is called central sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is a neurological problem that results in a failure of the brain to properly regulate breathing. There can be many causes of this disorder, and it is often seen in combination with obstructive sleep apnea. Treatment of central sleep apnea varies, depending on whether it is associated with obstructive sleep apnea; it usually consists of medication to stimulate breathing and/or C-PAP/Bi-PAP devices.

Because sleep apnea can potentially be dangerous, it requires prompt attention by a physician.

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