Sleep
Apnea
Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder
characterized by episodes of disturbed or interrupted breathing
during sleep associated with recurrent arousals and awakenings.
The cessation in breathing (interruption) during sleep lasts for
10-30 seconds in patients with mild-to-moderate sleep apnea.
However, in severe cases this cessation may last for even three
minutes. It is estimated that in United States alone, over 12
million people suffer from sleep apnea.
There are two types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea
characterized by recurrent hypoxemia and arousal and Central sleep
apnea caused due to problem with signals from the brain that control
breathing.
The cardinal symptoms of sleep apnea are loud snoring,
hypersomnolence (excessive daytime sleepiness), and restless sleep.
Other symptoms of sleep apnea include choking or gasping during
sleep, unrefreshing sleep, morning headaches, daytime fatigue,
personality changes, memory impairment, impaired concentration, poor
judgment, mood disturbances, recent weight gain, polyurea, and
impotence.
The goal of treatment for sleep apnea patients is to keep the airway
open and prevent pauses in breathing during sleep. Various methods
are used to alleviate sleep apnea including Behavioral Therapy such
as avoiding alcohol and CNS depressants close to bedtime, weight
reduction and sleep posture modification.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) works by gently blowing
pressurized air through the nasal passage of the patient at a
pressure high enough to prevent the throat from collapsing during
sleep.
Oral or dental appliances reposition the lower jaw and the tongue,
thus opening up the space at the back of the throat, and helping
treat sleep apnea.
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
UPPP, the most common type of surgery to treat sleep apnea, enlarges
airways by removing redundant tissue (tonsils, adenoids, uvula) from
the pharynx.
Laser-assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) can be performed in a
specialist�s office and involves the use of a laser to remove part
of the soft palate, shorten the uvula (the tissue that hangs from
the middle of the back of the roof of the mouth) and remove other
excess tissue from the pharynx.
Tracheostomy is a procedure in which a small hole is made in the
trachea or windpipe below the site of obstruction and a tube is
inserted into the opening. This tube is opened only during sleeping
hours, so that air flows directly into the lungs, bypassing any
blocked air passage in the throat.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
provides detailed information on Sleep Apnea, Obstructive Sleep
Apnea, Central Sleep Apnea, Sleep Apnea Machines and more.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is affiliated with
Pediatric Sleep Disorders.
By Marcus Peterson
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