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An
Overview of Sleep Apnea
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 What
is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive
Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS), the most common sleep disorder,
is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition that
is far more widespread than generally understood. The National
Commission on Sleep Disorders estimates that OSAS is as
common as asthma, affecting 5% of the American population
-- or 12 million people!
OSAS is a characterized by brief interruptions of breathing.
Typically the soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses,
causing the airway to become closed. This causes people
with sleep apnea to stop breathing for short periods of
time (usually at least 10 seconds) and it may occur from
20 to 60 times or more per hour. These breathing pauses
are almost always accompanied by snoring or a "snort"
as victims attempt to breathe. The frequent interruptions
of deep, restorative sleep often lead to excessive daytime
sleepiness.
Do I have symptoms? >
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Why
should I be concerned?
The
consequences of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome range from
annoying to life-threatening. Due to the serious disturbances
in their normal sleep patterns, people with sleep apnea
often feel sleepy during the day and their concentration
and daytime performance suffer. They may experience irritability,
learning and memory difficulties, weight gain, headaches,
symptoms suggesting depression, sexual dysfunction, and
falling asleep while at work, on the telephone, or while
driving.
Early
recognition and treatment of sleep apnea is important because
it may be associated with irregular heartbeat, heart attack
and stroke. It has been estimated that up to 50% of sleep
apnea patients have high blood pressure.
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What
is the treatment?
The
most common treatment for OSAS is called Nasal Continuous
Positive Airway Pressure. This involves sleeping with an
air mask that is attached to a machine that provides air
at a pressure high enough to keep the airway open during
sleep. While many people fear that they would not be able
to sleep at all while wearing a mask, people with Sleep
Apnea usually experience such tremendous improvements in
their sleep quality that they quickly adjust to the mask.
Other treatments include lifestyle changes such as quitting
smoking, not drinking alcohol, or losing weight. Sometimes
surgery is recommended.
To
confirm suspected OSAS a sleep study must be perfomed by
qualified medical personnel. The patient simply sleeps overnight
at Kanabec Hospital while being "wired" to various
machines and monitored by staff.
Do I have symptoms? >
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View brochure (PDF) >
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Notice, Disclaimer & Agreement:
Kanabec Hospital’s web site is designed to provide community access to information only. This is not a substitute for professional medical care. Please seek the advice of your healthcare provider. We present data as is, without any warranty of any kind, express or implied. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance by you of these terms.
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