Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea: overview

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses, which can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, occur when the muscles in the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open, even when the individual is making an effort to breathe. As a result, oxygen levels in the blood drop, causing the individual to briefly awaken in order to resume breathing. This cycle of repeated awakenings and drops in oxygen levels can occur hundreds of times each night, leading to fragmented, poor-quality sleep.

Types

There are two main types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA). OSA is the more common of the two, accounting for up to 84% of all sleep apnea diagnoses. It occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open, usually due to obesity, poor muscle tone, or physical obstruction of the airway. In contrast, CSA occurs when the brain fails to send the proper signals to the muscles responsible for controlling breathing.

Consequences

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can have significant consequences for physical and mental health. Individuals with sleep apnea are at increased risk of a number of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, depression, and anxiety. Additionally, sleep apnea can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness, which can increase the risk of accidents, particularly while driving.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of sleep apnea typically begins with a clinical evaluation, which may include a medical history, physical exam, and evaluation of sleep and wake patterns. In order to definitively diagnose sleep apnea, a sleep study is often necessary. This may involve an overnight stay at a sleep center or the use of a portable sleep monitoring device.

Treatment

Treatment for sleep apnea typically involves lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, and sleeping on your side. In some cases, the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine may be recommended. CPAP therapy involves wearing a mask over the nose or mouth during sleep to deliver a constant flow of air to keep the airway open. Other treatment options may include oral appliances, which work by repositioning the jaw and tongue to help maintain an open airway, and surgical procedures to correct physical obstructions of the airway.

Behavioral measures

For readers who want a deeper encyclopedia-style reference, see Sleep apnea on WikiMD.

Why this matters for local patients

• Sleep symptoms such as snoring, witnessed pauses in breathing, daytime sleepiness, fatigue, insomnia and restless sleep can affect work, driving, mood, metabolism and long-term health.
• Many patients in NYC, New Jersey, Connecticut and Philadelphia prefer convenient evaluation, home sleep study options and fast follow-up rather than waiting months for care.
• W8MD combines sleep medicine with obesity medicine, helping patients address both breathing during sleep and weight-related metabolic risk.