Lake Champlain Cardiology Associates
52 Tom Miller Rd., Plattsburgh, NY 12901  (518) 563-2404
www.lccahearts.com

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a treatable disorder in which a person temporarily stops breathing during sleep, often hundreds of times during the night.

Sleep apnea is a common disorder that affects millions of people, but it is often undiagnosed.  Apnea is when someone stops breathing for 10 seconds or more.

There are three different types of apnea: obstructive, central or mixed.  Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common.  Usually the soft tissues in the back of the throat collapse and close the airway so that sufferers of sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during sleep, as frequently as a hundred times an hour and often for a minute or longer.

With each apnea, the brain receives a signal to arouse the person from sleep in order to resume breathing. Therefore, sleep is disrupted and of poor quality. People with untreated sleep apnea are generally not even aware of the awakenings but only of being sleepy during the day.  They may realize that they snore or gasp for air during sleep. 

Untreated sleep apnea can result in:

  1. High blood pressure
  2. Weight gain
  3. Falling asleep inappropriately during the day
  4. Morning headaches
  5. Memory problems
  6. Feelings of depression
  7. Acid reflux (GERD)
  8. Nocturia (waking up at night to urinate)
  9. Heart Failure
  10. Atrial fibrillation

 

Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea:

  1. Family history of sleep apnea
  2. Overweight
  3. Large neck
  4. Recessed (small) chin
  5. Male
  6. Smoking
  7. Alcohol use

Testing:

  1. A sleep study is usually performed to diagnose sleep apnea.  This involves using several devices to record activity during sleep.  This includes an electroencephalogram (EEG) to measure brain waves and an electroculogram (EOG) to measure eye and chin movement, both to monitor different stages of sleep; an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure heart rate and rhythm; chest bands to measure breathing movements; and additional monitors to sense oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood as well as monitors to record leg movement.  None of the devices are painful and there are no needles involved.

Treatment:

  1. There are various treatment options depending on the type and severity of sleep apnea.  Options can range from avoiding sleeping on back, weight loss, avoiding alcohol and other depressant medications, or using oral appliances (dental appliances) to keep the airway open.
  2. In worst case scenarios, surgery can be used to create a more open airway so obstructions are less likely to occur.
  3. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is also commonly used to treat sleep apnea and is one of the most effective treatments.  This works by gently blowing pressurized room air through the airway at a pressure high enough to keep the throat open.  This pressurized air acts as a “splint”.  The pressure is set according to the patient’s needs at a level that eliminates the apneas that cause awakenings. 
  4. Discuss with your doctor all of your options to find the one that is best for you. 
For more information go to www.sleepapnea.org