Neurological
Sleep Apnea
About Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder where a person experiences one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep. These breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes and may occur 30 or more times an hour.
Common Symptoms
- Loud snoring
- Episodes of breathing cessation during sleep (reported by another person)
- Abrupt awakening with a gasping or choking sensation
- Daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)
- Morning headache
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- High blood pressure
Diagnosis
Diagnosis typically involves an overnight sleep study, known as polysomnography, which monitors breathing, heart rate, brain activity, and blood oxygen levels during sleep. Sometimes, a home sleep apnea test may be used as an initial assessment.
Causes
Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common type, occurs when throat muscles relax and block the airway during sleep. Central sleep apnea, a less common type, happens when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Treatment Overview
Management options for sleep apnea may include lifestyle changes, such as weight loss or positional therapy, to reduce symptoms. Medical devices like continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are often prescribed to keep the airway open. In some cases, surgical interventions or oral appliances might be considered, and certain complementary approaches, like changes in sleep position, are sometimes discussed.
Prognosis & Outlook
With appropriate diagnosis and management, the outlook for individuals with sleep apnea can be favorable, potentially leading to improved sleep quality and reduced associated health risks. Untreated sleep apnea may be linked to an increased risk of certain cardiovascular issues and other health complications.
Types & Variants
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
The more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax and block the airway during sleep.
Central sleep apnea (CSA)
Occurs when the brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Complex sleep apnea syndrome
Also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, this is a condition where a person has both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
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