Sleep Apnea Symptoms & Facts

Sleep apnea or sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. These episodes, called apneas (literally, "without breath"), each last long enough, so one or more breaths are missed, and occur repeatedly throughout sleep. These pauses in breathing may result in the person choking or gasping during sleep to get air into the lungs. Sleep apnea patients have a rough night and don't even know it is happening. In a given night, these apneic events (when a patient stops breathing) can occur anywhere from 30 to 50 times, and in some people as many as 60 - 100 times per hour! There may also be sudden awakening to restart breathing. In most cases, a person suffering from sleep apnea starts snoring loudly. As a result of sleep apnea, the person feels unrested during the day and may fall asleep or feel sleepy throughout the day.

Sleep apnea can be a worrisome disorder for those it affects. It can be a particularly dangerous problem given that the person suffering from the disorder often goes unaware of its existence due to the fact that there is no obvious evidence that there is a problem. Sleep apnea is fairly common. One in five adults has at least mild sleep apnea and one in 15 adults has at least moderate sleep apnea.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the top of the airway is blocked either by the soft palate tissue, throat tissue, or even the tongue. This doesn't stop breathing altogether, but it causes such restriction to breathing that no air can get in or out of your lungs, even though your chest muscles are making all the right movements. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common and severe form of sleep apnea.

Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea is more on the neurological side, in which a central nervous system dysfunction occurs. Central sleep apnea is caused by problems in the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. In some cases, the brain may not send the message to the muscles involved in breathing. Central sleep apnea has similar characteristics to OSA, but lacks the loud snoring aspect. In both cases the person awakes suddenly choking or gasping for air.

Sleep Apnea Diagnosis

Sleep apnea is diagnosed with an overnight sleep test called a polysomnogram, or a "Sleep Study". Although there is no cure for sleep apnea, recent studies show that successful treatment can reduce the risk of heart and blood pressure problems. Sleep apnea caused by the incorrect positioning of the jaw may be treated with a device inserted into the mouth or strapped around the head to adjust the jaw's positioning. Positive airway pressure (PAP) is a method of respiratory ventilation used primarily in the treatment of sleep apnea...risks and complications