What causes sleep apnea?
When you go to sleep all the muscles in your body relax. In some people, particularly men and post-menopausal women, the muscles of the upper airway relax too much during sleep. When the chest expands to pull air into the lungs, it is like sucking air through a wet straw. There is a tendency for the relaxed upper airway to collapse. The chest may keep moving up and down trying to inspire, but this pressure only serves to seal the airway tighter. If the person is laying on their back, the tongue, which is also a muscle, may fall back and block the airway. Although the chest continues to heave harder and harder to pull in air, the airway has collapsed and there is no airflow (obstructive apnea).
Then what happens?
When the airway is closed, the oxygen level in the blood may fall until it reaches a critically low point. When this point is reached, sensors in the body act and cause the brain to arouse or awaken.
When the person wakes, muscle tone returns, the tongue comes forward, the airway opens with a loud snore or snort, and air rushes into the nose and mouth. The loud snoring is due to all the tissue in the back of the throat rattling around from the incoming air. The person falls back asleep, the muscles relax, the airway collapses and the whole cycle repeats -maybe hundreds of times per night.
Is sleep apnea dangerous?
Repeated pauses in breathing put a strain on the breathing and heart muscles. Sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, an enlarged heart, and severe daytime sleepiness. If left untreated, apnea and all its symptoms may get worse. In severe cases, sleep apnea is life threatening. Although the medical complications associated with sleep apnea may take years to develop, an automobile or work accident caused by daytime sleepiness can occur at any time.
Is sleep apnea treatable?
There are many types of treatment for sleep apnea. These include weight loss, avoidance of certain sleep positions, use of dental or medical appliances during sleep, nasal pressure mask therapy, medication or surgical intervention. The type of treatment varies for each person and sometimes combinations of treatments are needed. Adequate evaluation is needed to determine the appropriate treatment.
What can I expect when I come to the Sleep Center?
After you are referred by your physician, you will be interviewed and examined by a physician with specialized training in sleep disorders. You may then be scheduled for a nighttime evaluation, or both a nighttime and daytime evaluation, if needed. During the sleep study, certain functions will be monitored including:
- Brain waves (EEG)
- Muscle activity (EMG)
- Eye movements
- Heart rate (ECG)
- Respiration rate & depth
- Oxygen levels
The entire evaluation is private and painless. A separate nighttime study may be necessary if nasal pressure mask therapy is required.
After the sleep study, you will discuss the findings with a sleep specialist and treatment will be started. After that, you will return to your personal physician for continuing care.
For more information or to schedule an appointment call the Sleep Disorders Center at (937) 395-8805.
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