Sleep Apnea Treatment

Sleep apnea is a disorder that occurs when someone’s breathing is interrupted during their sleep.  It is common among adults, but rare for children.  There are two types of sleep apnea, central sleep apnea which is more common and obstructive sleep apnea, some people have mixed sleep apnea (both central and obstructive sleep apnea).  Apnea itself breaks down to mean that someone has stopped breathing completely for 10 seconds or more.  When the apnea occurs during sleep, it disturbs their sleep either by waking the person completely or the person comes out of a deep level of sleep to a shallow level.

Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain does not send the signal to breathe to the muscles in charge of breathing.  This usually occurs in premature infants or adults with heart disease, but can also be caused by some medications and high altitudes.  Central sleep apnea can occur in infants, but it is not the same as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).  Central sleep apneas is defined as apneas occurring for 20 seconds or longer along with a change in heart rate, lower blood oxygen, or a general relaxation of the body’s muscles.  Central sleep apnea usually occurs in premature infants or those with congenital disorders.  Central sleep apnea occurs in adults when they have other medical issues.

Obstructive sleep apnea is when the airway has become obstructed during an apnea.  People with deviated septum can get obstructive sleep apnea because the wall of the nose has deviated to one side or the other which narrows the air passage.   If your palate and uvula (hanging thing in the back of your throat) are too long or swollen it can fall back into the throat blocking your airway, even your tongue can fall backwards and block your airway, causing obstructive sleep apnea, this usually happens when you are laying flat on your back.

Obstructive sleep apnea affects about 4% of men and 2% of women, but this number is increasing steadily with the rise of obesity.  Because sleep apnea disturbs sleep, people tend to be less efficient at work and have a greater risk of having a car accident because they could fall asleep at the wheel.  Sleep apnea causes high blood pressure and heart problems since the heart has added stress when a person continually stops breathing.  Obstructive sleep apnea can be diagnosed after a medical history, physical exam, and sleep-monitoring tests.  Sometimes obstructive sleep apnea can go away after losing weight.  Other treatments for obstructive sleep apnea are medications such as steroid nasal sprays, dental appliances that hold the tongue forward, and surgery is an option.  Because obstructive sleep apnea is caused by a narrowed airway it has been difficult to find medications that will help.