Sleep apnea is a sleep-related breathing disorder that
is thought to affect between 2 and 4 percent of the adult population.
It is diagnosed more often in men, those over 40, and those
who are overweight.
Sleep apnea is characterized by multiple
respiratory pauses during sleep. These pauses, or “apneas,”
are defined as periods of 10 seconds or longer during which
the sleeper stops breathing altogether. Other, milder respiratory
events during sleep known as “hypopneas” are defined
as periods lasting 10 seconds or longer during which breathing
is significantly reduced. Most people with sleep apnea will
have periods of abnormal breathing that last between 30 and
40 seconds more than 400 times per night. So the average person
with sleep apnea spends more than 3 hours a night when he’s
not breathing normally – or not breathing at all!
People with sleep apnea report a number of symptoms that they
often fail to identify as problems, and thus miss detection
by healthcare professionals. (A spouse or bed partner often
provides helpful information about the sleep and daytime functioning
of the sufferer.)
Symptoms of sleep apnea include:
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Loud snoring |
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Snoring interrupted by gasping, snorting, or choking |
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Excessive daytime sleepiness, often with the tendency
to fall sleep in inappropriate
situations such as while at work, while watching movies,
or while driving |
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Trouble with attention, concentration, or memory |
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Low mood, depression, or irritability |
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Loss of sexual interest, impotence (in men), or menstrual
irregularities (in women) |
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“Acid stomach,” or heartburn at night |
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Dry mouth upon awakening |
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Headaches upon awakening |
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Nausea upon awakening |
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Frequent nighttime urination or even bedwetting |
Sleep apnea is associated with significant health and safety
risks:
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High blood pressure. One review of
the medical literature reports that approximately 6 of
every 10 people with sleep apnea suffer from high blood
pressure.
Irregular heartbeats.
Heart rhythms that are either too slow or too fast, or
rhythms that are abnormal (such as premature ventricu
lar contractions, or PVCs) occur in about half of those
with sleep apnea.
Stroke is
approximately 10 times greater in those with sleep apnea
than those without.Low blood oxygen, a common occurrence
in people with sleep apnea, appears to be associated with
a number of medical problems. This condition may result
in seizure during sleep.
Death rates
are higher in those with sleep apnea or untreated than
those without.
Excessive daytime sleepiness.
Sleepiness is a “hallmark” of sleep apnea,
and often results in impaired daytime functioning. People
with sleep apnea may be at greater risk of accidents or
injuries due to fatigue. For example, people with sleep
apnea are five times more likely to be involved in a fatigue-related
motor vehicle accident than healthy individuals. |
There are many treatments for sleep apnea. If you think you
have sleep apnea, the first step is to talk to your doctor.
You may be referred to a sleep laboratory for overnight evaluation.
Additional information may be found at www.clinilabs.com,
and patient information brochures may be obtained by calling
212-994-5100.
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