September 10, 2008 11:49 am
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Health Watch by Steve Mullenix
The North Jefferson News
Many people suffer from a very common, but quite serious condition and may not ever realize it.
That condition is sleep apnea, which can do a whole lot more than ruin your night’s sleep. A new study has shown that individuals with severe sleep apnea may be up to five times more likely to die prematurely, and that risk increases the longer the sleep disorder remains untreated.
Sleep apnea is a very common disorder that affects millions of men, women and children. Despite the potentially serious consequences of the disorder, it is estimated that at least 10 million Americans have undiagnosed sleep apnea.
Apnea is a Greek work meaning without breath, and those individuals with sleep apnea, literally stop breathing in their sleep.
Along with sleep apnea most individuals also suffer from a condition know as hypopnea. Hypo also comes from a Greek word which means “beneath” or “less than normal,” and apnea meaning “breath.”
A hypopnea condition is not a complete cessation of breath, but a reduction of airflow or struggle to breathe. Combined, sleep apnea and hypopnea can cause the oxygen level in the blood to drop dangerously low.
Sleep apnea can affect anyone of any age, even children. The clinical definition of an apnea event is to go 10 seconds without breathing. In the case of a child, that can be equivalent to two-and-a-half breaths.
There are certain risk factors for sleep apnea:
• Male
• Overweight
• Being over 40 years of age
• Having a neck size larger than 17 inches in men or over 16 inches in women
• Having large tonsils
• Recessed chin
• Smoking or alcohol use
• A family history of sleep apnea
If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause a growing number of health problems, including:
• Hypertension
• Stroke
• Heart failure and heart attacks
This list does not include the poor performance one suffers from work or school because of being tired from lack of sleep.
Some of the more common symptoms are:
• Waking up with a very sore and/or dry throat
• Occasionally waking up with choking or gasping for breath
• Sleepiness during the day
• Morning headaches
• Forgetfulness, mood changes and a decreased interest in sex
• Recurrent awakening or insomnia
• Reflux (heartburn)
• Loud snoring, punctuated with periods of silence (the apnea)
Okay, now that I’ve talked about snoring, you’re wondering if your wife or husband suffers from sleep apnea.
How do you find out, and how is it diagnosed? Ask your physician if a polysomnogram (PSG) or “sleep study” is right for you.
Since I suffer from sleep apnea and have had this test a couple of times, I can tell you what to expect. On the night of your sleep study, you go to the sleep disorder center, where you are assigned your own private room.
It is not a lot different from most hotel rooms. You’ll likely have a television, a desk, your own bathroom, etc.
You’re thinking this is not so bad.
However, the technician come in and hooks you up with a about 20 or so sensors. An oxygen monitor is placed on your finger, a band around your chest, and a blood pressure cuff on your arm.
After they get through adjusting the video camera in the corner of the room so they can they can watch you all night, they say “goodnight” and leave the room. I hope you brought your favorite pillow. Oh, by the way, there is also a microphone that records snoring.
Through the night, the sleep technicians monitor breathing, blood oxygen level and blood pressure. By the end of the night, they have a pretty good picture of your sleeping habits.
If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, you may need to spend another night at the center when they will place you on a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine.
This is a small portable device that delivers a continuous flow of air through a mask worn over the nose, and/or mouth. This positive pressure flowing into the nostrils helps keep the airways open so that breathing is not impaired.
Other than getting used to looking like you’re going deep sea diving, the unit is not hard to get used to and not at all uncomfortable after the first night or so.
There are other methods to treat sleep apnea, utilizing dental devices or surgical procedures. Only you and your physician can determine if these are right for you.
The bottom line is that a diagnoses and proper treatment of sleep apnea is life changing. The low, soothing hum of the CPAP is a small price to pay for a better and longer life.
Steve Mullenix (R.Ph) co-owns The Pharmacy in Mount Olive with his wife, Sherry Mullenix (J.D., R.N.). They can be reached at 631-1201.
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