Sleep apnea is defined as the cessation of air flow into the lungs, lasting for more than 10 seconds. It is commonly experienced by overweight middle-aged men, and by some women. It is often accompanied by loud snoring.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the muscles relax during sleep, causing the upper airway to collapse, preventing air reaching the lungs. When this happens, the body wakes up in order to restart breathing, usually with a loud snort. On returning to sleep the muscles relax again, often resulting in a further collapse of the upper airway. This cycle may repeat many times during the night. If these episodes of OSA occur more frequently than 10 times per hour, clinical problems may arise. One of the most common consequences is raised blood pressure in the daytime, leading to increased risk of strokes or heart disease.
Effects of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea sufferers may experience any or all of the following:
- extremely loud snoring, interrupted by gasps
- short temper, or irritability
- anxiety/depression
- decreased interest in sex
- headaches
- excessive daytime sleepiness, sometimes while driving
Very often it is the bed partner who also suffers the consequences of these symptoms.
Treatment of Sleep Apnea
In moderate cases, weight loss can reduce the incidence of sleep apnea. Also the use of a device to alter the shape of the jaw, by causing the lower jaw to move forward slightly can ameliorate the snoring and apnea.
In more severe cases, use is made of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. The first CPAP system was developed in 1981 by Professor Colin Sullivan of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Australia. It works by delivering a stream of compressed air via a hose to a nose or full-face mask. The air pressure used splints the upper airway (i.e. keeps it open), thus preventing OSA. It is the pressure of the air, rather than its movement that keeps the airway open. An additional benefit of this system is that the loud snoring that usually accompanies sleep apnea is eliminated as well. Sleep apnea has no cure, so continuing care is required to maintain CPAP therapy.
Availability of CPAP machines
CPAP machines are widely available, often from providers on the internet. In some countries when purchasing one privately a doctor's prescription is needed.
In the UK following diagnosis of sleep apnea the machine is available on the National Health Service.
In Canada, the units can be obtained in any province.
In the USA the cost of a CPAP machine may be reimbursed by health insurance providers.
CPAP therapy provides a proven and effective method of eliminating OSA and thus transforming the lives of sufferers and also often the lives of their long-suffering bed partners.
Source:
www.cpap.co.uk, "CPAP - Sleep Apnea - Snoring," (accessed Apr 7, 2010)
Trevor Lewis - Trevor Lewis has been working in the IT industry for the last thirty years. He also has a long-standing interest in astronomy and space ...
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