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Sleep Apnea Diagnosis and Treatment Sleep apnea is the most common of the sleep disorders. It is characterized by repeated abnormal pauses or decelerations is breathing during sleep which can cause blood oxygen levels to drop dramatically while the patient is sleeping. Apnea is subdivided into to types. Obstructive sleep apnea, which is the most common form of apnea, is caused by a collapse of the soft tissues in the upper airway, which become relaxed during sleep. Central sleep apnea, also known as Cheyne-Stokes respiration, is an imbalance in the respiratory control centers of the brain. In central sleep apnea, the feedback system that monitors blood levels of carbon dioxide fails to react rapidly enough to maintain a consistent respiratory rate. This causes the entire respiratory system to vacillate between apnea and hyperpnea, even while the patient is awake. The hyperpnea is a compensatory measure taken by the body to alleviate the lack of oxygen which occurred during apnea. Symptoms of this syndrome include excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, weight gain, hypersomnia
morning headaches, narcolepsy and high blood pressure. If a combination of these symptoms exist, patients should be encouraged to participate in a sleep study. Risk factors associated with sleep apnea include high blood pressure, obesity, enlarged tonsils, a large tongue or a deviated septum. When these factors occur in conjunction with the above-mentioned symptoms of apnea, a sleep study should be undertaken as soon as possible. Some risk factors, such as enlarged tonsils or a deviated septum, can be treated surgically, with no need for further intervention following treatment. Because apnea can cause high blood pressure, it can also lead to heart failure, so it is critical to seek out treatment as early as possible when apnea is suspected. Sleep studies are usually performed at a sleep diagnosis center. During the study, the patient will stay in the center for an entire sleep period. Electrodes will be attached to the patient's head, which will allow brain activity and respiration to be monitored by the staff. If apnea is apparent in the patient's sleep pattern, the patient may be awakened and a CPAP may be used to see if it will alleviate the apnea. A CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure machine is the most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. This unit is attached to the patient via either a full face mask, which covers the nose and mouth, or by a nasal mask, which covers only the nose. This apparatus blows a stream of air through the fitted mask that puts pressure on the soft palate and upper airway passages, preventing their closure as they relax during sleep. This keeps the airways open and prevents apnea from occurring. The use of a CPAP machine is highly effective as a treatment for apnea, provided that patients comply with use on a consistent basis. Patient compliance is sometimes problematic with these devices because the initial adjustment phase when learning to sleep with the masks in place can be bothersome. Those patients who are willing to learn to use the devices consistently, however, usually experience relief from their apnea symptoms. |
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