Sleep Apnea Is Not As Benign As It Sounds

by Adriana Noton

Sleep apnea is a medical condition with brief, repetitious episodes of breathing cessation during sleep. The effects on the body are cumulative from chronic, inadequate rest that impact memory, create excessive, chronic fatigue with poor reactive ability. The byproducts are increased risks for accidents, inability to focus and less productivity on the job.

Apnea disturbs sleeping patterns in three forms. Most common is Obstructive (OSA), whereby the lax musculature within the neck falls as sleeping occurs, with gravity allowing airway blockage. Central (CSA) is initiated when the central nervous system misfires the impulses that control breathing at the respiratory level. Complex involves varying combinations of the other two forms. Health conditions, such as obesity, respiratory or central nervous system diseases contribute to the propensity for this episodic breathing dysfunction.

The symptoms with this somnific disorder are chronic daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia), snoring with obstructive cause, observed cessations in breathing seen in CSA, dry mouth/sore throat or morning headache upon awakening, abrupt, gasping awakenings with shortness of breath, and difficulty maintaining an ongoing sleep state. Behavioral effects can exhibit with lack of motivation, moodiness, and aggressiveness that impact social and work status. Consultation with a medical professional is recommended with any symptoms of episodic, breathing disturbances.

Many health problems share certain similarities that are predisposing for a specific condition. Apnea has a propensity for predominantly effecting males. Lifestyle choices that predispose apnea sufferers are obesity, particularly those with a large neck size (over 17), smokers, heavy drinkers, drug abusers, and the physically inactive. Circumstances beyond the patient’s control include genetics, aging, depression, stress, dementia, cardiovascular or thyroid disease and naturally narrow airways.

Apnea carries the risk for consequences that range from potentially serious to life-threatening. The risk for accidents while driving or operating machinery resulting from lack of adequate rest is considerable. Heart conditions creating arrhythmia’s or congestive heart failure are not uncommon with episodes of chronic oxygen deprivation present with this disorder. Inadequate levels of oxygen to the brain can result in permanent, debilitating brain injury or death.

Diagnosis requires comprehensive testing once the physical examination confirms suspicion for the disorder. Lab work allows measuring the amount of oxygen in the blood. An EEG is performed to study brain wave activity. The final diagnosis is arrived at via an overnight polysomnogram study that monitors and records breathing patterns and video recordings observe the physical effects on the body during sleeping.

Milder cases of this disorder may be treated with weight loss or abstaining from a tobacco habit. If these measure are unsuccessful, an oral appliance designed to keep the throat open by bringing the jaw forward is an option. Continuous positive airway pressure can benefit patients unless the mask feels uncomfortably claustrophobic, making compliance unlikely. Surgery is generally reserved for severe, life-threatening cases.

Doctor recommendations for mild sleep apnea Ottawa begin with weight-loss to manage obesity, smoking cessation for tobacco addiction and medication for daytime sleepiness. Surgery for serious cases can be curative. Dental appliances and CPAP therapies are effective only with diligent patient compliance as viable measures of maintaining open airways while sleeping.

Sleep apnea Ottawa is a sleep disorder many battle, but aren’t aware of the CPAP supplies Ottawa available to them, or where to find information on symptoms, CPAP Ottawa, and the next steps to take.

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