Don’t Let Sleep Apnea Take Your Breath Away.
There are some moments in life that take your breath away, but if those moments are happening while you’re asleep, it might be time to see a sleep expert, according to a sleep specialist at Baylor College of Medicine.
“Sleep apnea is caused by a narrowing or complete collapse of the upper airway that occurs in some people while they are sleeping, and this can affect one’s ability to get oxygen to the body, making the body work harder to breathe,” says Fidaa Shaib, MD, associate professor of pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine at Baylor and director of the Baylor Sleep Center, in a release. “This results in a brief arousal period, sometimes just three seconds, where the brain wakes up and the airway opens to restore breathing. For those with sleep apnea, this will happen several times throughout the night.”
Many people with sleep apnea are not aware of the number of times they are waking up briefly throughout the night. However, this sleep disruption causes them not to feel refreshed or rested when they wake up in the morning. “It’s almost as if someone is waking you up every 10 seconds to breathe and then you go back to sleep,” says Shaib.
Symptoms
Sleep apnea is associated with multiple health issues including heart problems, high blood pressure, risk for stroke, poor diabetes control, and weight gain. Common symptoms include snoring, stopping breathing, and choking or gasping for air that is reported by the bed partner. Other common symptoms are not feeling refreshed in the morning or feeling tired throughout the day. Other signs that could indicate sleep apnea include restless sleep, waking up multiple times to use the bathroom, excessive sweating at night, and heartburn or reflux.
“It’s important to note that women with sleep apnea may show symptoms of snoring and difficulty going to sleep or staying asleep,” says Shaib. “Their presentation is different from men, whose symptoms are usually snoring and feeling tired throughout the day.”
Risk Factors and Diagnosis
Risk factors of sleep apnea are obesity and anatomy, meaning that one’s facial structure may cause them to be at more risk for sleep apnea. People with nasal congestion, allergies, or who are on pain medications or sleeping pills may be at a higher risk for sleep apnea.
A diagnosis of sleep apnea is made through a sleep study. Most patients will have to stay overnight at a sleep center where they are monitored for brain activity, breathing, oxygen levels, heart activity, and movement. The sleep study gives a summary of a person’s sleep and experts identify those periods where there is narrowing of airways and oxygen levels are low. Some patients may also qualify for an at-home sleep test if most of their symptoms point toward sleep apnea and no other sleep issue.
Treatment
Once a diagnosis is made, the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine remains the best treatment for sleep apnea. The machine works by gently blowing air into the windpipe to keep the airway open. “The technology for CPAP machines has advanced and the treatment is usually very well tolerated in patients,” says Shaib.
After starting the use of the CPAP machine, which must be used every night, people usually have improved sleep quality, feel more refreshed in the morning, and have better daytime function as well as better memory during the day. Patients also see benefits in blood pressure control and a lower risk of heart problems.
If patients do not tolerate the CPAP machine, other treatment options can include a custom made oral appliance or surgery.
Weight loss, behavioral modifications, and treating allergies usually also helps treatment of sleep apnea.
“Some patients only have sleep apnea when they sleep on their backs, so another treatment option is to use maneuvers and techniques to help the patient stay off their back,” says Shaib.
Shaib notes that young children (3-6 years) are at risk for sleep apnea, especially when they have big tonsils and big adenoids. Older children and adolescents who are overweight or obese are also at risk. Symptoms in children include loud snoring and sleeping with their mouth open. However, rather than feeling tired during the day, children with sleep apnea are usually hyperactive during the day and can have difficulty in school. Bed wetting also can indicate the potential for sleep apnea. It’s important to consult with a pediatric sleep expert if these signs are seen in children.
There is a spectrum of response from treatment of sleep apnea, Shaib says. Some people say that using the CPAP machine is life changing, making them feel refreshed throughout the day. Others may not feel as dramatic of an effect, but are still benefitting from the decreased health impacts, such as high blood pressure or risk for heart problems.
