| Questions
and Answers
About Obstructive Sleep Apnea
What is Obstructive
Sleep Apnea?
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea
is when a person stops breathing repeatedly during sleep
- Breathing stops because
the airway collapses and prevents air from getting into the lungs
- Sleep patterns are disrupted,
resulting in excessive sleepiness or fatigue during the day
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Obstructive
Sleep Apnea
- Airway collapses
- Blocked airflow
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How often can
breathing stop during sleep?
- This can happen up to hundreds
of times each night in severe cases
What causes
the airway collapse during sleep?
• Extra tissue in
the back of the airway such as large tonsils
• The tongue falling
back and closing off the airway
• Decrease in the
tone of the muscles holding the airway open
How many people
have Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
- 4 in 100 middle-aged men
and 2 in 100 middle-aged women have Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Approximately 95% remain
undiagnosed and untreated
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea
is as common as adult asthma
What are the
Symptoms
of Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
If you or someone you know
snores regularly and has one or more of the following symptoms, you may
have Obstructive Sleep Apnea…
- Snoring, interrupted by
periods of silence or pauses in breathing
- Gasping or choking during
sleep
- Restless sleep
- Excessive sleepiness or
fatigue during the day
- Poor judgment
- Irritability
- Memory loss
- Depression
- Morning headache
- Sexual dysfunction
- Frequent urination at night
What happens if Obstructive
Sleep Apnea is not
treated ?
Increased risk for:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease and heart
attack
- Stroke
- Automobile and work-related
accidents
What is the treatment
?
The most common treatment is:
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway
Pressure) pronounced "see-PAP." Other less common treatments
include surgery and oral appliances, which may be effective in certain
individuals.
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CPAP
Therapy
- Airway splinted open
- Air flows freely to
lungs
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How
does the CPAP therapy work?
CPAP treats Obstructive Sleep Apnea by providing a gentle flow
of positive pressure air through a mask to splint the airway open during
sleep.
- Breathing becomes regular
- Snoring stops
- Restful sleep is restored
What
to do if you suspect you have Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
- See your doctor; you may
be referred to a sleep disorders center for diagnosis and treatment
Obstructive
Sleep Apnea is:
- Easily identified
- Effectively treated
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