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Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea breaks down to two major types: obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Both are characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses may last a few seconds or a few minutes and occur anywhere from 5 to 30 times an hour.
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Central Sleep Apnea
Central sleep apnea, can occur in people who have had a stroke, have heart failure, or have a brain tumor or infection. Those with central sleep apnea repeatedly stop breathing during sleep because the brain temporarily stops sending signals to the muscles that control breathing. - Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when a person stops breathing during sleep. This cessation of breathing usually occurs because of a blockage in the airway. Tonsils and adenoids may grow larger, relative to the size of the passages through the nose and mouth to the windpipe and lungs. The airway becomes blocked during sleep in many cases due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids which are made of lymph tissue located at the sides and back of the throat.
During these periods of blockage during apnea, no air is being exchanged within the lungs. Often these breathing attempts are accompanied by a period of awakening and gasping for air. As this cycle repeats itself through the night, there is a poor disruptive pattern of sleep. The inability to circulate air and oxygen in and out of the lungs results on lowered blood oxygen levels. If this pattern goes untreated, the heart and lungs can be damaged.
what happens when I sleep?
The muscles in your airway are constantly working to help move oxygen through to your lungs. In a normal sleep cycle, the muscles would relax a bit, but not enough to disrupt the flow of oxygen. In sleep apnea, however, the airway collapses or comes close to collapsing and the distress awakens the brain. Once the airway muscles are energized and normal airflow is established, the brain goes back to sleep. This cycle of distress and wakefulness occurs many times throughout the night.
Common symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, gasping or choking. While everyone has trouble sleeping on occasion, you may need to ask your doctor about testing and treatment. A consultation with a sleep specialist is recommended if you have these symptoms and/or experience any of these following:
- Regular difficulty with sleeping
- Tiredness during the day even if you have slept at least 7 hours
- Trouble performing daily activities
- Difficulty concentrating
- Restless legs
Other signs of sleep apnea include waking with a dry mouth, waking with a headache or the discovery that snoring is loud enough to wake you or your partner. Keep in mind that snoring is not always a sign of sleep apnea and not everyone who has sleep apnea snores. However, if the snoring is loud and punctuated by periods of silence, it’s time to seek help. Untreated, sleep apnea can increase the risk for high blood pressure, stroke, obesity and/or diabetes.
am I at risk for sleep apnea?
Untreated, sleep apnea can increase the risk for high blood pressure, stroke, obesity and/or diabetes. Sleep apnea affects men and women and is just as likely to appear in young as well as older patients. However, there are some identified risk factors and warning signs for obstructive sleep apnea:
- Excess Weight
Excess weight around the airway can obstruct breathing in both men and women. Keep in mind that excess weight is a risk factor but not a qualifier. Average weight patients can develop sleep apnea, too. - Neck Circumference
A thick neck is an indicator of excess weight which can contribute to a narrowed airway. If your neck is thicker than 17.5 inches, you are at increased risk for obstructive sleep apnea -
Inherited Traits
Your airway may be naturally narrow or you may have enlarged tonsils that are constricting your airflow. Family history can play a big part in sleep apnea -
Genetics
Men are twice as likely as women to develop sleep apnea initially, but that gap narrows for women who have experienced menopause -
Alcohol or Drug Use
Alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers all relax the muscles in the throat and contribute to sleep apnea - Smoking
Smoking contributes to inflammation and fluid buildup in the airway. Smokers are up to three times more likely to develop sleep apnea than non-smokers
+ Learn about heart health and sleep apnea.
+ Find out how sleep apnea contributes to your risk of stroke.
For more information about the various treatment plans available to patients who have been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, contact your physician.
