Sleep apnea is a nighttime event during which a person will repeatedly stop and start breathing while asleep, causing the level of oxygen in the blood to drop, as well as waking the body and disturbing healthy sleep. Severity of the condition varies from mild to severe, depending on how many times and how low the oxygen level goes down.

How does sleep apnea affect one’s health?

During normal sleep, the body cycles through various stages of sleep: light, very deep, REM (dream sleep) and then back up and down throughout the night. When a patient has sleep apnea, the body is unable to go through a normal sleep cycle. Interruptions in this cycle can stress the body by preventing the brain from re-energizing and re-oxygenating and causing the heart and lungs to work harder to deliver enough oxygen through the blood stream to the vital organs. This can lead to high blood pressure and an increase in pulmonary pressure (blood pressure that occurs in the arteries in the lungs).

What causes sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea can be caused by a structural blockage at the back of the throat, usually at the base of the tongue, due to a person’s anatomy or weight and sometimes both. Sleep apnea can go undiagnosed for many years, as the tired person gets used to how he or she feels and compensates for it on a daily basis.

How can I tell if I have sleep apnea?

Often, a family member or loved one will urge an individual to see a doctor about snoring and sometimes obvious gasping at night. While snoring loudly may be a sign of sleep apnea, not all patients who snore have the condition. One way to determine if you are getting a good night’s sleep is to look at your bed in the morning. If your sheets are everywhere and the blanket is on the floor, you likely are not getting a quality-night’s sleep and you may have sleep apnea. To make a diagnosis of sleep apnea, a sleep study is conducted, either at home or in a sleep lab.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Depending on the cause and severity of the sleep apnea, many treatment options are available. If the tonsils are grossly enlarged, then often removing them will cure the problem. If a patient has a narrow tongue base due to a weak chin (retrognathia), an oral appliance may be the best option. Weight loss is also recommended if weight is an issue. Weight loss can be difficult with sleep apnea, though, as poor sleep can result in a slower metabolism. For these patients, it is often necessary to first start managing the apnea to make losing weight easier.

For the patient with severe sleep apnea, the best option usually is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine that a person will wear at night to force a breath of air past the airway obstruction. This device will keep oxygen saturation above 98% and allow the patient to achieve all stages of proper sleep.

If you are concerned that you may have sleep apnea, go see your ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT) for a physical exam and sleep study.

To find an excellent doctor who is right for you, please call our Physician Referral Service at 866.804.1007.

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