Obstructive Sleep Apnea - Diagnosis & Treatment
Surgery - Sleep Apnea &
Snoring
Snoring and Pregnancy
FAQs
Snoring Myth
Snoring Celebrities
Your Snoring Experiences
' My partner literally stops breathing. Is this
just snoring? '
No – this is a symptom of a far more serious condition called
Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Apnoea (US Apnea) temporary cessation of breathing, especially during
sleep. From Greek
apnoia, from apnous
‘breathless’ ³.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is by far the most common form of sleep
apnea. It occurs when the collapsible structures of the airway cause
complete obstruction during sleep. This results in a delayed or missed
breath, often followed by a gasping breath as the brain is stimulated by
altered blood oxygen levels brought about by depleted air intake to the
lungs. A person with obstructive sleep apnea stops breathing for between
10-60 seconds and it could be these persistent low levels of oxygen that
lead to daytime fatigue. The reasons behind the collapse of these
structures could be numerous in some people but others may just require
one lifestyle change to sort the problem.
Central
sleep apnea is rare. It is also an absence of breathing but it is
neurological (of the brain and nervous system) in nature and is caused by
an the inhibition of respiratory movement. These people will encounter
breathing problems even when there is no obstruction present. Mixed sleep
apnea also exists and this is a combination of OSA and central sleep
apnea.
Untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can lead to high
blood pressure (hypertension), stroke, cardiovascular disease, headaches,
memory impairment and daytime tiredness. The fatigue could lead to
performance problems at work and dangers associated with operating heavy
machinery and driving. It can also cause loss of libido.
An
estimated 15 to 20 million Americans suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.
If you are an overweight male, around 40 years of
age with a large neck (greater than 17 inches) you are in the most
vulnerable group for this condition. Snoring is of particular relevance
because most people with obstructive sleep apnea also snore, but not
everybody that snores will have OSA. Alcohol and certain medication may be
worsening the problem.
