Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea (AP-nee-a) is a disorder in which a person temporarily stops breathing while sleeping.

Will He Snooze or Snore?

James loved his grandfather, but he was dreading this year's visit. Sharing his room with Grandpa last year, James had not slept all week. Sometimes his grandfather's snoring would stop, but then James had to hop out of bed to make sure his grandfther was breathing. Each time, Grandpa started breathing again after about 10 seconds, but he would choke and gasp for air before starting to snore again. In the morning, Grandpa had no memory of the night's noisy events.

When Grandpa arrived, he announced he would be a better roommate this year. His snoring had been caused by sleep apnea, and his doctor had given him a device to wear in his nose at night to make it casier for him to breathe.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

While sleeping, a person with sleep apnea stops breathing briefly, usually for about 10 seconds at a time. This interruption in breathing can happen hundreds of times a night. The result is that the body does not get enough oxygen or a restful night's sleep. People with sleep apnea often are very tired during the day, have trouble concentrating, and may feel anxious at night and have difficulty falling asleep. Sometimes, they wake up in a panic because they think they are choking, and many wake up with headaches and are depressed and moody during the day.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea; it affects an estimated 12 million Americans. It occurs when something in the throat, such as the tongue or tonsils, blocks the airway. Central sleep apnea is another type of sleep apnea that occurs when the brain temporarily "forgets" to tell the body to breathe. Mixed apnea is a combination of OSA and central sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea can affect people of all ages, but it is most common in older individuals. OSA occurs most often in men who are 50 or older, and many people with OSA are overweight. People with sleep apnea often do not know that they have it. Family members, however, are well aware of the problem because the most common symptom is loud snoring.

Living with Sleep Apnea

In some people, sleep apnea is just an annoying problem; in others, it can lead to heart problems and stroke. Many people with OSA also have hypertension, which can also be dangerous. To determine if someonc has sleep apnea, doctors may check how long it takes for the person to fall asleep, and they may monitor different body functions while the individual sleeps. Sometimes, these tests occur at sleep clinics, which are special places where rescarchers can measure such factors as brain waves, heart rate, eye movement, body muscle tone, breathing, snoring, and blood oxygen levels during sleep.

Because sleep apnea can be dangerous, individuals who suspect they have sleep apnea should visit a doctor to learn more about their particular condition. In general, people with sleep apnea should not drink alcohol or take sleeping pills before bed, and they should try to lose weight if they are overweight. For many people, sleeping on their sides eliminates, or at least lessens, snoring. Various prescription drugs relieve apnea in some people. Special devices worn in the nose or mouth can keep the airways clear as well. In some cases, doctors may recommend surgery to remove tissues, such as tonsils and adenoids, that block the airway.

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