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Sleep
Disorders
Apnea
Apnea is a period of not breathing. Frequency may be as often
as several hundred times during overnight sleep. Causes of
apnea include blockage of the upper airway and diseases of
the central nervous system. Apnea victims may experience excessive
daytime sleepiness, high blood pressure, rapid weight gain,
morning headaches, personality changes, impotence, signs of
heart failure and heavy snoring. Sleep attacks may also occur
during the day, similar to those associated with narcolepsy.
What is apnea?
The Greek term "apnea" means "without breath".
Three different types of apnea exist:
- Obstructive
- Central
- Mixed
The most
common of the three types is obstructive apnea, which is caused
by blockage of the airway occurring when soft tissues in the
throat collapse and close during sleep. Central apnea occurs
when the airway is not blocked, but the brain is failing to
signal the respiratory muscles to breathe. Mixed apnea is
a combination of obstructive and central apnea. In all occurrences
of apnea, the brain briefly awakens the individual in order
for them to start breathing again. As a result, sleep is constantly
interrupted and the person awakes feeling as though they have
not slept all night.
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What
are the symptoms of apnea?
In most cases of apnea, the person will experience numerous
pauses in breathing, as many as 20-60 times per hour. Snoring
is often associated with apnea, however not in every case.
Other symptoms include choking sensations, early morning headaches,
exhaustion, depression, sexual dysfunction and memory problems.
Furthermore, people suffering from apnea often lose concentration
while working and are more likely to have automobile accidents.
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How
is apnea diagnosed?
The patient is admitted generally for one to two nights for
testing. A specialized team of professionals use the latest
diagnostic equipment to record and monitor a patient's sleep
patterns, heartbeat activity, breathing and body movements.
Afterward, the patient will be referred to the appropriate
specialist for consultation and treatment. If you suspect
you may have apnea, call to schedule a consultation with a
sleep laboratory specialist. For information about consultation
services, click here.
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Who
is at risk of developing apnea?
Apnea is a very common disorder. In fact, according to the
National Institutes of Health, more than 12 million Americans
are affected by apnea. Everyone is at potential risk for developing
apnea, even children. However, individuals are more at risk
if they are male, over the age of forty, and/ or overweight.
African Americans also tend to be more at risk. The disorder
is also found in people with other disorders of the nose,
throat, and upper respiratory system. Oftentimes apnea occurs
in families, therefore there is a possible link between apnea
and genetics.
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How
is apnea treated?
The most common treatment is a nasal mask that is worn while
sleeping. Constant air pressure is applied causing the airway
to remain open, preventing the throat from collapsing during
sleep. Dental appliances are also used for patients with mild
apnea. The appliances reposition the lower jaw and tongue.
Some patients require surgery to remove adenoids, tonsils,
nasal polyps and other airway blockages. For obese patients,
weight loss is a common treatment recommendation.
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What
can result if apnea is not treated?
If left untreated, apnea can cause high blood pressure and
other cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain,
impotency and headaches. Furthermore, apnea may be responsible
for loss of concentration at work and increase chance of automobile
accidents. 1,2
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Insomnia
Insomnia is the inability to sleep. More than 100 million
Americans experience fragmented and disrupted sleep. Causes
of insomnia include stress, breathing disorders, depression,
anxiety, pain and misuse or overuse of sleeping pills. Daytime
symptoms often include headaches, hypertension and concentration/memory
difficulties.
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Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is classified as sudden and uncontrollable attacks
of excessive sleepiness during the day. This disorder causes
a person to sleep at inappropriate times such as while driving,
eating or in meetings. Common complaints include frequent,
vivid nightmares or hallucinations upon falling asleep, sudden
muscular weakness when angry, surprised or amused, and momentary
paralysis upon awakening.
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Parasomnias
Somnambulism (sleep walking, nightmares and night terrors)
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Other
Disorders
Seizures and bruxism (grinding teeth) are some of the other
kinds of conditions that cause abnormal sleep patterns.
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1
http://stacks.msnbc.com/news/845275.asp
2 http://www.sleepapnea.org/geninfo.html#defined
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