Usually, apnea occurs in newborns since they are unable to immediately adjust to pressure changes and breathing on their own for that matter. In adults, sleep apnea is the most common form of apnea. Sleep apnea usually consists of a minimum 10 second halt among each respiration. There are two common types of sleep apnea, OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscle that dwells in the body reclines for the duration of a nap and the muscle tissue that makes up the esophagus collapses to the point that the airway is blocked enough to hinder breathing during sleep. Central sleep apnea, also known as Cheyne - Stokes respiration, occurs when the brains respiratory control centers are distorted during sleep.
Etiology
One of the leading causes of sleep apnea in adults is obesity. Other natural causes include a distinguished tongue or tonsils, a concise neck, aging, or profuse lateral pharyngeal walls. According to merck.com, 25 to 40% of sleep apnea cases had some sort of family history present. Many people that possess sleep apnea may see side effects such as hypertension, stroke, diabetes, nocturnal angina, heart failure, and hypothyroidism. It is also believed that sleep apnea can be responsible for cardiac arrhythmias. Any type of obstruction of the human airway that might affect the way a person sleeps can be seen as an apnea.
Snoring is a result of sleep apnea. Factors such as trauma to the soft tissue of the superior airway are also contributors to sleep apnea. OSA in children is usually a result of abnormal tonsil size and adenoids. Other types of sleep apnea that are less common are mixed apnea and complex sleep apnea. Sometimes, obstructive sleep apnea can consist of severe and longstanding in which the case of episodes of central apnea sometimes develops. Although the definite reason for the loss of respiratory function is unknown, there is evidence that it is most likely related to acid-base and CO2 information breakdown which can lead to heart failure. Sleep apnea isn't usually fatal yet if severe blockage of the airway occurs, consequences will occur which can include brain damage due to lack of oxygen.
Diagnosis
There are a few precautions that you may take before visiting your doctor if there might be a possibility that you suffer from sleep apnea. A sleep diary can be updated every few nights by someone who sleeps in the same household. This person should be willing to record sleeping habits such as how loud the person's snoring is and how good of a nights rest the person is having. Constant movement can be an indication of respiratory problems yet it is not definite. Another indicator of sleep apnea is if the person is having difficulties with breathing such as gasping or choking out of nowhere. If someone is not present, if possible, recording yourself can also be helpful. The most efficient method of recording your own sleeping habits would be to get a sound-activated recorder. After recording this information, you can consult your doctor to see if you have sleep apnea. In the process of being diagnosed with sleep apnea, the doctor will do an examination on your nose and mouth in order to look for any type of blockage or run tests such as x-rays, endoscopies, or CT scans.
If sleep apnea is assumed by your doctor, an overnight sleep study might be necessary. These tests are used to measure any time your breathing might cease during your sleep. Since there are many different reasons that can be linked to abnormal breathing, sleep apnea cannot be diagnosed immediately. A Polysomnography is a test that is used by scientists to record bodily functions during sleep to determine the seriousness of the sleep apnea. The Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) is another test that can help diagnose sleep apnea. It measures how fast the person falls asleep. The average person falls asleep within 10 to 20 minutes whereas a patient with a sleep disorder might fall asleep within less than 5 minutes.
Treatments
- The first treatment that is inexpensive and can be done by virtually anyone is lifestyle changes. This includes:
- Avoiding any type of alcohol or medicines which include side effects such as drowsiness or lightheaded feelings. They often constrict muscles which can cause airways to become narrow.
- Losing weight
- Sleeping on your side rather than your back helps by keeping your throat open
- QUIT SMOKING!!!
- Mouthpieces: also known as oral appliances mouthpiece help by shifting your inferior jaw and tongue in order to extend the airways while you sleep.
- Breathing Devices: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most used for severe sleep apnea in adults. The CPAP machine has a clear mask connected to a tank that pushes air into the patients' throat. The CPAP machine replicates normal breathing patterns in order to let the person suffering from sleep apnea get a good rest.
- The Last Resort: If sleep apnea becomes unbearable to the point that sleeping is nearly impossible, surgery is the last available method of controlling sleep apnea. The surgery can be used to open up the airway by diminishing excess tissue in the throat or realigning the lower jaw. Removal of tonsils can also help if necessary.
If I was to recommend a website, I would recommend Help Guide. It includes all of the information you need to know from the definition of sleep apnea to the common known treatments and everything in between. Honestly, this website had enough information to do this entire project yet we were required to choose more than one website. This website is easy to understand and is very elaborative on things that an average person might not be able to understand. Also, it is organized into an easy to follow coherent manner that can be followed step by step.
