January 27, 2007
What are the common symptoms of sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition often characterized by marked reduction or cessation of breathing during sleep, usually lasting from ten to twenty seconds or more causing a decrease in oxygen levels in the blood. This sudden drop in oxygen levels causes the person to gasp for air, one of the symptoms of sleep apnea, thus disrupting a peaceful sleep.
There are two main types of sleep apnea: obstructive apnea and central apnea. In obstructive apnea, the problem is physical blockage of the airway. This could be due to obesity, swelling along the airway, or anatomical deformities. In central apnea, the cessation of breathing is caused by the failure of the brain to send a signal to the respiratory muscles to initialize breathing. This is usually brought about by a more serious medical problem. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is often recommended for sleep apnea symptoms treatment.
This condition also occurs among children but not as common as in adults. This is often observed in infants, especially premature ones, with congenital heart diseases. In older children, a swollen uvula is a common cause for sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a condition that should not be taken lightly. It is important that we recognize its signs and symptoms so as to determine the severity of the condition, be given the proper treatment, and prevent further complications. You never know, somebody close to you may be suffering from this condition.
The symptoms of sleep apnea that are commonly observed among adults are snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness and tiredness. But not all people who snore have sleep apnea. Other symptoms of sleep apnea include:
· Cessation of breathing lasting from ten to twenty seconds that usually occurs when the patient is asleep
· Waking up in the middle of the night, gasping for air or choking, or needing to urinate (nocturia)
· An unrested feeling even after a long sleep
· Restlessness during sleeping
· Lack of concentration and memory loss
· Increased irritability and personality changes
· Severe headaches or migraines
· Heartburn
Sleep apnea is most often detected or observed by people who are close to the patient, but the definitive test done to confirm the diagnosis is called a polysomnography or sleep study, which is either done in the hospital or in a sleep laboratory. During the test, oxygen saturation and sleep apnea episodes are observed and recorded by the sleep technician using sleep apnea medical devices. A CPAP machine is also used during the test to determine the patient’s airway pressure levels.
Natural treatments for sleep apnea include lifestyle changes such as weight reduction, smoking cessation, eliminating alcohol from the diet, and avoidance of medications such as sedatives and muscle relaxants because these drugs affect the accessory muscles of breathing. Special pillows to prevent patients from sleeping on their backs and oral devices to keep the airway open during sleep may also be used to prevent apnea. However, if these measures are ineffective, a CPAP is usually recommended by doctors as the treatment of choice.
