Definition of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a condition in which the airways become blocked when the muscles of the throat relax during sleep and the airways narrow with the tissue of the throat and palate becoming floppy.
This causes a momentary cessation of breathing.
In the average person this happens infrequently but in someone who has Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) then this can happen 100 times a night.
This cessation of breathing can often last more than 10 seconds.
With snoring the tissues are again relaxed and breathing becomes difficult.
The noise of snoring is the air passing through the restricted airway.
At least it is getting through even though much more slowly.
People with Obstructive Sleep Apnea will almost certainly have a history of snoring prior to diagnosis.
That does not mean however that everyone who snores has OSA.
If you snore it may be worthwhile having a medical exam to be certain.
Physical factors which may increase your risk • Certain shapes of palate and airway (have this checked by a respiratory specialist) • Large neck size • Large tongue which may fall back especially if you sleep on your back Something simple to do to decrease risk is to sleep on your side.
If you suffer from Sleep Apnea you will probably not even be aware of the problem.
Your partner may be aware however and will often notice the cessation of breathing.
They will initially notice the snoring which will get louder and louder until it stops when the airway is completely blocked and then a gasp as the breathing restarts.
As mentioned above this can occur 100 times a night.
Sufferers will wake up tired the next day and have periods of drowsiness throughout the day They will also 1.
Be irritable and short tempered 2.
Suffer from headaches 3.
Fall asleep easily 4.
Feel depressed A sleep study is the usual diagnostic tool the doctors will use.
You will spend the night in a sleep clinic where you will be connected to machines by a series of wires.
The machines will record every time your breathing stops and also the length of time you did not breathe.
You may also have your arterial blood gases checked.
During normal breathing you breathe in Oxygen and breathe out Carbon Dioxide.
With OSA less oxygen enters the body and less carbon dioxide leaves which means that the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood increases and this will often be the cause of your drowsiness.
Since Obstructive Sleep Apnea also can put strain on the heart you may also be given a ECG...
Electrocardiogram which measures electrical activity in your heart and will alert the doctor to anything unusual An Echocardiogram which is an ultrasound of the heart.
These tests will give your Doctor an understanding of your condition and will help him/her determine the best treatment for you.
This causes a momentary cessation of breathing.
In the average person this happens infrequently but in someone who has Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) then this can happen 100 times a night.
This cessation of breathing can often last more than 10 seconds.
With snoring the tissues are again relaxed and breathing becomes difficult.
The noise of snoring is the air passing through the restricted airway.
At least it is getting through even though much more slowly.
People with Obstructive Sleep Apnea will almost certainly have a history of snoring prior to diagnosis.
That does not mean however that everyone who snores has OSA.
If you snore it may be worthwhile having a medical exam to be certain.
Physical factors which may increase your risk • Certain shapes of palate and airway (have this checked by a respiratory specialist) • Large neck size • Large tongue which may fall back especially if you sleep on your back Something simple to do to decrease risk is to sleep on your side.
If you suffer from Sleep Apnea you will probably not even be aware of the problem.
Your partner may be aware however and will often notice the cessation of breathing.
They will initially notice the snoring which will get louder and louder until it stops when the airway is completely blocked and then a gasp as the breathing restarts.
As mentioned above this can occur 100 times a night.
Sufferers will wake up tired the next day and have periods of drowsiness throughout the day They will also 1.
Be irritable and short tempered 2.
Suffer from headaches 3.
Fall asleep easily 4.
Feel depressed A sleep study is the usual diagnostic tool the doctors will use.
You will spend the night in a sleep clinic where you will be connected to machines by a series of wires.
The machines will record every time your breathing stops and also the length of time you did not breathe.
You may also have your arterial blood gases checked.
During normal breathing you breathe in Oxygen and breathe out Carbon Dioxide.
With OSA less oxygen enters the body and less carbon dioxide leaves which means that the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood increases and this will often be the cause of your drowsiness.
Since Obstructive Sleep Apnea also can put strain on the heart you may also be given a ECG...
Electrocardiogram which measures electrical activity in your heart and will alert the doctor to anything unusual An Echocardiogram which is an ultrasound of the heart.
These tests will give your Doctor an understanding of your condition and will help him/her determine the best treatment for you.
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