Sleep Apnea Information

September 29, 2007

by: Chris Hackett

What is Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is usually caused when an obstruction, usually the soft tissue of the rear of the throat, collapses and closes during sleep. Central Apnea, is when the airway is not blocked, but the brain fails to send the signal for muscles to breath. Mixed Apnea, as the name implies, is a condition which is a mix of Central Apnea and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Sleep apnea is a serious condition which often causes a drop in Oxygen levels in the blood. The most common type of sleep apnea is Obstructive Sleep Apnea. With this type of Apnea, enough air can not flow into the lungs despite the breathing attempt. This can result in a drop in oxygen levels in the blood. Normal breathing generally begins again with a loud snort or choking sound.

Left untreated, sleep apnea can increase the chances of having high blood pressure, and even a heart attack or stroke. Untreated apnea can also increase the risk of diabetes and the risk from accidents related to drowsiness.

What causes sleep Apnea? At the most basic level, obstructive sleep apnea happens as a result in the temporary collapse of the throat. The throat and tongue muscles relax more than usual, if you have large tonsils and/or adenoids, if you are overweight, or have a smaller boney structure in the nose and throat area, are all factors which can influence the occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea.

What are my Treatment Options for Apnea?

Changes in Activities or Habits. Avoid alcohol, smoking or medicines that make you sleepy, as they can make it more difficult to keep the throat muscles open during sleep. Also, try and loose weight if you are overweight. The extra soft tissue in the throat can make it difficult to keep the throat open during sleep. Even a little weight loss may help apnea. And finally, you can try sleeping on your side as opposed to on your back. This can make it easier for the muscles in your throat to remain open.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). This is one of the most common treatments for sleep apnea. This treatment basically involves wearing a mask over your nose which blows a stream of air into your throat at a pressure that’s right for you. The increased pressure helps keep the throat and passageways open.

Mouthpiece (oral appliance). This may be helpful for individuals with mild apnea. This may also be recommended by your doctor if you snore loudly, but do not have apnea. This piece is generally custom fitted by a dentist or orthodontist, and helps to position the lower jaw and tongue so as to maintain an open pathway to the throat.

Surgery. Surgery may help some people with apnea. The type of surgery that is appropriate will depend on the type of apnea. For children with apnea, a surgery to remove the tonsils and or adenoids may be helpful. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (U-vu-lo-PAL-a-to-fa-RIN-go-plas-te) (UPPP) is a surgery that removes the tonsils, uvula (the tissue that hangs from the middle of the back of the roof of the mouth), and part of your soft palate (the roof of your mouth in the back of your throat). This surgery is only effective for some people with sleep apnea. Laser assisted UPPP can stop snoring but may not necessarily treat the undeylying apnea. Because of this, it’s very important to have a sleep study first.

There are currently no medicines for the treatment of sleep apnea.

Living with Sleep Apnea

Getting treatment for sleep apnea can help you and your family members.

Getting treatment can greatly help your sleep and can improve symptoms of snoring.
Treating apnea can help you feel more rested and alert during the day
Healthy lifestyle changes which can be helpful for treating apnea are good general health and lifestyle choices such as stopping smoking and loosing weight.
Some sufferers of apnea will need to wear a mask (CPAP).
Few people will require surgery
Get help from your family in the form of moral and emotional support, and encouragement to follow your doctors program, including use of the CPAP device if necessary.

Click here for information on current research and clinical trials for sleep apnea.

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