To get an overall view of Sleep Apnea, click this image to go to our Sleep Apnea Overview page. It gives a clear view of the causes, symptoms and treatments for Sleep Apnea.
In America, some 18 million people suffer from a sleep disorder called sleep apnoea. In the United Kingdom, there are 15 million. Add a few more millions to the rest of the world and you would get an alarming number. According to the Sleep Wellness Institute, in America, 38,000 people die yearly from complications due to sleep apnoea. This disorder is characterized by a temporary lack of breath that occurs in repeated episodes. This disorder can be life threatening.
The word apnoea (spelled apnea in American English; apnoea in British English) means an absence of breath. Airflow during sleep is prevented from entering the lungs due to an obstruction in the air passages. The person will gasp for air with a loud snort or snore. This happens repeatedly several times a night. A person is thus deprived from going into a deep sleep as the brain automatically wakes one up in order to breathe again.
To get an overall view of Sleep Apnea, click this image to go to our Sleep Apnea Overview page. It gives a clear view of the causes, symptoms and treatments for Sleep Apnea.
Just how important is a good night’s sleep? Experts would tell you that the average person should sleep for 6-8 hours. Children need more sleeping hours for good development and function.
Six reasons to sleep
1) Lack of sleep affects the immune system leaving you prone to diseases.
2) Sleeping helps maintain a good memory. People who lack sleep usually have a hard time concentrating.
3) Sleeping helps prevent heart-related diseases.
4) Lack of sleep affects ones metabolism and causes weight gain.
5) Lack of sleep causes mood swings such as irritability and impatience. This greatly affects your relationship with your co-workers and loved ones.
6) Accidents are most likely to occur on people who lack sleep. Medical errors, driving accidents and poor quality of life are some of the tragic effects.
Given the importance of sleep, sleep apnoea sufferers are prone to these health threats. So, how do you know if you are suffering from sleep apnoea? One of the most evident symptoms is loud snoring. Take note however, that not all people who snore have sleep apnoea.
In most cases, sufferers don’t even know they are experiencing apnoea attacks while asleep. It is usually their partner, family or friends who tell them about the symptoms.
Signs of sleep apnoea
Snoring. One symptom of sleep apnoea is loud snoring with pauses and gasps. One of the most common causes of snoring is the obstruction of one’s airways. Think of a trumpet for example. When we blow air into a trumpet, it creates a sound. The valves inside the trumpet obstructs and controls the airflow and creates a sound. The same goes with our breathing process. If there is any obstruction, a sound will be created.
Daytime sleepiness. Feeling extremely sleepy at work, during a conversation, while driving or even while watching television? If these sound familiar, you may be lacking some sleep. We all suffer tiredness and sleepiness every once in a while. These symptoms, however, should not be confused with extreme tiredness. If such sleepiness occurs almost everyday, affecting your daily routine and productivity, then start assessing your situation.
Irritability. If it’s not in your nature to be short-tempered and then you suddenly are, it could be a sign. Irritability is a common symptom of any sleep disorder. It negatively affects your relationship at work, with friends and family.
Morning headaches. If your sleep apnoea is moderate to severe, it is most likely that you suffer from morning headaches. This is more common to women than on men. People who get morning headaches get much lower oxygen saturation levels while asleep.
Depression. According to a study at the Stanford University School of Medicine, depressive people are five times more prone to sleep disorders. Studies suggest the connection of sleep apnoea to a high rate of depressive disorder. Treating sleep apnoea helps control depression in patients.
To get an overall view of Sleep Apnea, click this image to go to our Sleep Apnea Overview page. It gives a clear view of the causes, symptoms and treatments for Sleep Apnea.
Despite these given symptoms, we should not be so quick to judge. A person may or may not have sleep apnoea even with these symptoms. However, a person with sleep apnoea may demonstrate some or all of these symptoms frequently. It would be safe to seek medical attention to get a proper diagnosis.
How to diagnose sleep apnoea
Sleep apnoea can be categorized from mild to very severe. This is determined using the apnoea/hypopnoea index (AHI). It is the number of apnoeas (pauses in breathing) added to the number of hypoapnoeas (reduction in the airflow) per hour of sleep. If you have an AHI of less than 10, you don’t have to worry about clinical problems.
“A lot of sleep disorders are still misunderstood, even by the medical community. Recognition has certainly gone up, especially for sleep apnea. But like everything else, the advertisements are driving the business. And for many, the sleeping pills appear to be an easy solution, and that’s not always true. You have to be able to determine the problem before you come up with the solution.” – John Ancy
Sleep clinic. To confirm if you have sleep apnoea, you may have to undergo a sleep study. It is usually done in a sleep lab that requires an overnight stay at the clinic. You will be strapped to an equipment that will monitor your sleep quality. Take note that sleep clinics don’t cure the disorder but helpfind out the cause of the problem. The results of the monitoring will be interpreted by a specialist to decide the right treatment.
Polysomnography (PSG). This is the most commonly used test to verify sleep apnoea and other sleep-related diseases. PSG can monitor your brain wave, muscle tone, chest and abdominal movements. It also measures airflow in the mouth and nose, heart rate, and blood oxygen level. It also records the sounds you make with a video while you sleep.
To get an overall view of Sleep Apnea, click this image to go to our Sleep Apnea Overview page. It gives a clear view of the causes, symptoms and treatments for Sleep Apnea.
Sleep studies, however, are very expensive and only a few clinics are able to offer these routinely. In most cases, a ‘mini’ sleep study is an option which consists of pulse oximetry and nursing observation. This monitors only the heart rate and blood oxygen saturations. Because it is costly, a home sleep study is becoming more popular in the United Kingdom.
