Sleep Disorders Lab

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What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition that is far more common than generally understood. Early recognition and treatment of sleep apnea is important because it may be associated with irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.

Sleep apnea may be characterized by choking sensations, early morning headaches and excessive daytime sleepiness. Certain mechanical and structural problems in the airway may cause interruptions (apneic events) in breathing during sleep. In some people, apnea occurs when the throat muscles and tongue relax during sleep and partially block the opening of the airway. Sleep apnea also can occur in obese people when an excess amount of tissue in the airway causes it to be narrowed. Sleep apnea occurs in all age groups and both sexes, but is more common in men. People most likely to have or develop sleep apnea include those who snore loudly, are overweight, have high blood pressure, or have some physical abnormality in the nose, throat, or other parts of the upper airway.

What are the effects of Sleep Apnea?

Because of the serious disturbances in their normal sleep patterns, people with sleep apnea often feel very sleepy during the day and their concentration and daytime performance suffer. The consequences of sleep apnea range from annoying to life-threatening. They could include depression, irritability, sexual dysfunction, learning and memory difficulties, and falling asleep during the day. Although it is not known with certainty if there is a cause and effect relationship, it appears that sleep apnea contributes to high blood pressure. Risk for heart attack and stroke may also increase in those with sleep apnea.

When should Sleep Apnea be suspected?

For many sleep apnea sufferers, their spouses are the first ones to suspect that something is wrong, usually from their heavy snoring and apparent struggle to breathe. Co-workers or friends of the sleep apnea victim may notice that the individual falls asleep during the day at inappropriate times. The person often does not know he or she has a problem and may not believe it when told. It is important that the person see a doctor for evaluation of the breathing problem.

How is Sleep Apnea diagnosed?

In addition to the primary care physician, pulmonologists, neurologists, or other physicians with specialty training in sleep disorders may be involved in making a definitive diagnosis and initiating treatment. Several tests are available for evaluating a person for sleep apnea.

Polysomnography is a test that records a variety of body functions during sleep, such as the electrical activity of the brain, eye movement, muscle activity, heart rate, respiration effort, air flow, and blood oxygen levels. These tests are used both to diagnose sleep apnea and to determine its severity.

The Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) measures the speed of falling asleep. In this test, patients are given several opportunities to fall asleep during the course of the day when they would normally be awake. For each opportunity, time to fall asleep is measured. People without sleep problems usually take an average of 10 to 20 minutes to fall asleep. Individuals who fall asleep in less than 5 minutes are likely to require some treatment for sleep disorders. The MSLT may be useful to measure the degree of excessive daytime sleepiness and to rule out other types of sleep disorders.

Summersville Memroial Hospital offers Sleep Diagnostic Services at the Summersville Sleep Diagnostic Center. The center offers testing by a trained staff member. Tests are offered during the week, on some weekends and day testing is available where needed. Tests are read by a Pulmonologist.

How is Sleep Apnea treated?

Physical or Mechanical Therapy

Nasal positive airway pressure therapy is the most common and effective treatment for sleep apnea. With this therapy, the patient may wear a SleepNet Phantom Nasal Mask or IQ Nasal Mask, sometimes referred to as an interface, over the nose during sleep, while pressure from an air blower forces air through the nasal passages. There are various types of positive airway pressure devices available to treat sleep apnea CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) and bi-level positive airway pressure systems were the original modes of sleep apnea therapy. These systems provide a level of air pressure to prevent the airway from collapsing or narrowing.

For more information talk to your family physician. Call 872-8403 for an appointment.

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