Introduction
Sleep apnea is a dangerous sleeping disorder that affects an individual's breathing. During sleep, breathing reduction or cessation may occur which could lead to heart problems and other medical complications when left untreated. Usually, this sleeping problem goes undetected since it happens while the patient is asleep. Thus, a physician has no way of monitoring or checking whether an individual has sleep apnea during a regular check up. Even patients are not aware that they might have sleep apnea until someone within the family notices irregular sleeping conditions.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Who are at Risk?
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (n.d.), those who have been diagnosed with other medical conditions such as Down Syndrome, hypothyroidism, acromegaly, rhinitis, and stroke are predisposed to developing sleep apnea. Individuals classified as obese (with BMI of 30 and above) and overweight and those with huge neck sizes (16 inches and above) are also at risk (p. 2). In addition, aging people are also at risk because since the brain cannot control the throat muscles to remain stiff during sleep, there is a possibility that the airways will collapse or become narrow.
Detecting Sleep Apnea
Although sleep apnea is not easily recognizable during regular physician visits, following are identifiable symptoms that can tell if an individual is suffering from the sleeping disorder. This includes chronic snoring, night sweats, daytime sleepiness, sore throat, dry mouth, insomnia, shortness of breath after abruptly waking up at night, morning headache, sexual dysfunction, and poor concentration.
For a more accurate diagnosis of the sleeping problem, suspects are advised to undergo polysomnography, a sleep test that requires an individual to stay overnight at a sleeping laboratory. The test includes "evaluation of sleep staging, airflow and ventilatory effort, arterial oxygen saturation, electrocardiogram, body position, and periodic limb movements" (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [NHLBI], 1995). Home monitors are also available to monitor cardiopulmonary factors.
Treating Sleep Apnea
For mild cases of sleep apnea, the physician may recommend adjustments in sleeping position and lifestyle to cure the condition. However, if these do not work, other options such as therapy and surgery are also available. These other methods can help either clear up the passageways or open them wider.
Effects of Sleep Apnea on Everyday Life
Because of this sleep disorder, individuals suffering from it experience varying oxygen levels that lead to increased heart rate and palpitations. It also increases an individual's resistance to insulin and glucose tolerance, thus, the increased risks of developing related medical conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Because of insomnia, sufferers tend to lose concentration on their activities and are more prone to motor vehicular accidents due to lack of sleep. This also causes an individual to become irritable and prone to mood changes.
References
American Academy of Sleep Medicine (n.d.). Sleep apnea. Retrieved from http://www.aasmnet.org/resources/factsheets/sleepapnea.pdf
Cleveland Clinic (n.d.). Sleep apnea. Retrieved from http://my.clevelandclinic.org/Documents/Sleep_Disorders_Center/Sleep_Apnea.pdf
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [NHLBI] (1995). Sleep apnea: Is your patient at risk. Retrieved from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/slpaprsk.pdf
