Sleep Apnea: Meaning, Diagnosis and Overview

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep. It is a chronic condition that disrupts your sleep.
Types
Obstructive sleep apnea: it is a common type of sleep apnea. In this condition the airway collapses or becomes blocked during sleep. This causes shallow breathing or breathing pauses. People with obstructive sleep apnea snore loudly.
Central sleep apnea: is a much less common type of sleep apnea. This occurs when the brain fails to signal the muscles that control breathing. People with central sleep apnea seldom snore.
Complex sleep apnea: is a combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

Recovery Time

Generally, sleep apnea is a chronic disorder and recovery depends on the cause and effectiveness of treatment. 

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of sleep apnea is based on medical and family histories, a physical exam, and sleep study results. Sleep Studies like polysomnogram and home based portable monitor may be recommended.

FAQs prepared by doctor

1. What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep. It is a chronic condition that disrupts your sleep.

2. What are the causes of sleep apnea syndromes?
There are numerous causes for sleep apnea syndromes, few of them are being overweight, having a recessed chin or small jaw, aging more than 65 yrs., smoking and alcohol use or could be due to large neck size (17 inches or greater in a man, or 16 inches or greater in a woman).

3. What causes snoring?
Snoring is most often caused by loose, weak, or excessive tissue at the back of the throat which collapses into the airway during sleep. This tissue flutters or vibrates as air is breathed in. This fluttering tissue, like a flag flapping in a strong breeze, is the cause of the aggravating noise we know as snoring.

4. What shall one do when there is sleep apnea?
One shall maintain regular sleep hours. Sleep in empty stomach by leaving a gap of at least 2 hours between dinner and going to bed. Follow regular exercise program. Avoid sleeping on your back and sleep on your side. Try to keep your nasal passages open at night using nasal dilator, saline spray, breathing strips, or a neti pot. Elevate the head of your bed by four to six inches or elevate your body from the waist up by using a foam wedge. one can also use a special cervical pillow.

5. When shall one consult a doctor?
When one experiences excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue or dry mouth or sore throat upon awakening or headaches in the morning with trouble concentrating, forgetfulness, depression, or irritability, it indicates sleep apnea. Snoring, breathing problems during sleep or swelling in legs during sleep apnea indicates obstructive kind which also requires physician visit.