The Impact of Sleep Apnea
57By Marcus White
If you find yourself waking up in the wee hours of the night, or tired and sleepy in the morning, chances are you could be suffering from sleep apnea.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), sleep apnea is a common problem in the U.S. and it affects more than twelve million Americans. Although it can impact just about anyone's sleep patterns, the most common person at risk are overweight males who are over the age of forty. Regardless, sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, including children.
Dr. Holger Link, Assistant Professor to Pediatric Pulmonology at the Oregon Health and Science University, describes sleep apnea as a problem where there is abnormal pattern in breathing. "It has to do with the fact that as you get older all the tissues in the body become a little more loose and there is a limitation of airflow through the airways," he said.
Dr. Link explains that there are two common sleep apnea disorders that exist. "There is the central sleep apnea where the patient does not make an effort to breath. The brain does not give a signal to breath," he claims. According to Dr. Link, the other type is obstructive sleep apnea and that is where there is a blockage of the airway. This is usually where the soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses and closes during sleep, commonly known as snoring.
"Snoring," according to Dr. Link, "is the most common symptom. There are many more people who snore without sleep apnea. Sometimes we see that the bed partner will be the one who brings the patient to the clinic because the snoring is so loud."
The NIH also reports that sleep apnea that is not treated can cause high blood pressure, memory loss, weight gain, headaches, and other cardiovascular problems. Also, sleep apnea that goes untreated can be the cause of job impairment and motor vehicle accidents.
Fortunately, sleep apnea can be treated and diagnosed according to Dr. Link. "There are two main options for sleep apnea," he explains, "one is where you wear a mask at night. You wear it over your nose and mouth and a little shoe box device goes over your nose and it provides air for the nasal passage."
Dr. Link identifies that the second option for sleep apnea patients is getting them to loose weight. "Sometimes loosing weight can improve sleep apnea. Weight loss would be ideal," he said, "but the problem is it is hard to loose weight."
Frances Johnson thought that she had sleep apnea because she felt tired in the mornings. As a result, she decided to see her physician. Frances said that the doctor wanted her to take the (laboratory) test because she had some of the symptoms.
"I went in about 9 p.m.," she said. "Then they hook you up to all of these (devices). During the night, they wake you up and ask you all types of questions."
Frances says that you are tested to see if you stop breathing. "Before you are able to go to sleep, they have you put a mask on just in case they find out you do stop breathing during the night," she said.
Says Dr. Link, "While patients are in a sleep laboratory, we measure over fourteen different parameters for sleeping. We measure the chest wall and air coming in and out of the nose, heartbeat, and activity of leg movement. If it is abnormal the first time around, they will get fitted for a proper mask." Dr. Link says they also test the EEG (electroencephalogram) to measure brain wave activity, rapid eye movement, and other body functions.
According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, children who have this problem can also show signs of hyperactivity. The ASPA reports that because of the lack of awareness by the public and healthcare professionals, the vast majority remain undiagnosed. Therefore, many are not treated despite the fact that sleep apnea can impose serious consequences on a person's health.
When asked about what is being done about sleep apnea, Dr. Link says that there are national sleep foundations that provide good resources for the public. Dr. Link says that the best way to inform people is by "educating the public".
