Do You Have Sleep Apnea?

Symptoms

Sleep apnea occurs in two distinct forms: central and obstructive. Obstructive sleep apnea, the more common type, occurs when soft tissues of the throat relax and cause a physical block to airflow. In central sleep apnea, the brain doesn’t send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Complex sleep apnea is a combination of both types. Symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas overlap, sometimes making a determination between the two difficult.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common symptoms of both obstructive and central sleep apneas include:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness

• Loud snoring

• Observed episodes of breathing cessation during sleep

• Abrupt awakenings accompanied by shortness of breath

• Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat

• Morning headache

• Difficulty staying asleep or insomnia

Risk Factors for OSA

People of all ages, even children, can have sleep apnea. Certain factors, however, put you at increased risk.

• Being overweight. Fat deposits around your upper airway may obstruct your breathing.

• Having a thick neck. A neck circumference greater than 17 inches can lead to an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea.

• High blood pressure. Sleep apnea is not uncommon in people with high blood pressure.

• A narrowed airway. Some people may have a naturally narrow throat. The airway can also become blocked by enlarged tonsils or adenoids.

• Being male. Men are twice as likely to have sleep apnea as women are. However, women increase their risk if they’re overweight. Risk for women also appears to rise after menopause.

• Being older. Sleep apnea occurs two to three times more often in adults older than 65.

• A family history of sleep apnea. If you have family members with sleep apnea, you may be at increased risk.

• Use of alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers. These substances relax the muscles in your throat.

• Smoking. Smoking may increase the amount of inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway. This risk drops after your quit smoking.

Surgery Risks

People with sleep apnea may be more likely to experience complications following major surgery because they’re prone to breathing problems, especially when sedated and lying on their backs. If you have sleep apnea, be sure to tell your doctor before undergoing surgery. The situation is even more risky for people with undiagnosed sleep apnea.

People with sleep apnea are rarely aware of having problems breathing, experts say. Typically it is discovered by others witnessing apnea episodes or because of its effects on the body.

“Left untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure and other heart disease, memory problems, mood swings, impotency and headaches,” said Andrew Wexler, MD and President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “The condition can also lead to serious work injuries and car accidents because sufferers are drowsy and fall asleep.”

Self-Care

Experts say that self-care measures can go a long way in dealing with obstructive sleep apnea and possibly central sleep apnea.

• Lose excess weight. Even a slight loss in excess weight may help relieve constriction of your throat.

• Avoid alcohol and medications such as tranquilizers and sleeping pills. These relax the muscles in the back of your throat, interfering with breathing.

• Sleep on your side or abdomen rather than on your back. Sleeping on your back can cause your tongue and soft palate to rest against the back of your throat and block your airway.

• Keep your nasal passages open at night. Use a saline nasal spray to help keep your nasal passages open. (Be sure to talk to your doctor about using nasal decongestants or antihistamines because these medications are generally recommended only for short-term use.)

Treatment Options

• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). People with moderate to severe sleep apnea may benefit from a machine that delivers air pressure through a mask placed over the nose while sleeping. The increased air pressure helps to keep the upper airway passages open, preventing apnea and snoring.

• Oral appliances. Another option is wearing an oral appliance designed to keep your throat open. Experts consider CPAP to be more effective, but many people find oral appliances easier to use.

• Surgery or other procedures. Surgical procedures can remove excess tissue from your nose or throat that may be vibrating and causing you to snore, or that may be blocking your upper air passages. Treatments for central sleep apnea can also include therapy for associated medical problems such as heart or neuromuscular disorders.