Perhaps the worst part about sleep apnea is that it creeps in without the victim ever realizing what he or she is getting into. This stealthy intrusion makes the sleep disorder difficult to diagnose and the result is delayed detection and the patient remaining untreated for a long time.
The main trigger for the disorder to set is neglected snoring. Marked by recurrent pauses in breathing during sleep, the condition happens with the narrowing of air pipe that causes breathing obstruction and brings distress.
What makes the symptoms so elusive?
Most patients fail to detect the disorder because a majority of the characteristic features of the illness show up during sleep. Usually, it is the bed or room partner who notices the breathing distress, gasps and choking during sleep, loud and persistent snoring, sleep disturbance and suggests medical help.
Fortunately, the illness finally shows up by way of other signs that the patient notices. These include rapid and unexplained gain in body weight; excessive daytime sleepiness; mood deterioration like depression, irritability; daytime fatigue; frequent urination at night, etc.
How is diagnosis done?
Doctors normally do not rely on the experiences as reported by the patient or his or her family. A test is recommended before the doctor finally confirms the condition. This is one of the most reliable and objective diagnostic tools that helps in diagnosing the condition. It is also known as polysomnogram examination, overnight sleep study, etc.
During this examination, several physical and physiological parameters are studied that give a detailed overview to the doctor regarding the severity of the condition, the site of obstruction in the airway and the nature of the illness the patient is suffering from.
Sleep apnea treatment: choice depends on how serious the condition is
For managing mild to moderate conditions:
- Weight loss not just of the body but also of the breathing muscles with the help of sleep apnea exercises.
- Abstinence from alcohol
- Changing sleeping position
- Raising pillow height
- CPAP or Continuous Positive Air Pressure therapy
- Apnea dental devices like mouth guards, etc.
Managing severe conditions:
Surgery is often the last and final option for treating severe conditions. Several options are available in this regard but some common surgeries include Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), Somnoplasty, Tonsillectomy, Laser-Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP), Pillar Palatal Implant, Tracheostomy, Genioglossus (tongue advancement), Maxillary or maxillomandibular advancement (MMA), Laser midline glossectomy and lingualplasty (removal of part of the tongue), Hyoid myotomy with suspension, etc.
How to be sure that it is sleep apnea?
Excessive daytime sleepiness is a sign that is common not only to this disorder but also hypersomnia and is one of the main narcolepsy symptoms.
How to clear diagnostic dilemma?
- Study the age of the patient when the illness has set in. For apnea it is usually around 50 years but with other disorders it could be much earlier.
- The disorder is an outcome of dysfunctional brain but narcolepsy is usually caused by dysfunctional central nervous system.
- Sleep apnea treatment involves changing sleep pattern, devices and even surgery. Management of other disorders may not demand such steps.
Though one of the most disabling sleep disorders that is difficult to detect, sleep apnea can be prevented from worsening with timely diagnosis and proper therapy.
The main trigger for the disorder to set is neglected snoring. Marked by recurrent pauses in breathing during sleep, the condition happens with the narrowing of air pipe that causes breathing obstruction and brings distress.
What makes the symptoms so elusive?
Most patients fail to detect the disorder because a majority of the characteristic features of the illness show up during sleep. Usually, it is the bed or room partner who notices the breathing distress, gasps and choking during sleep, loud and persistent snoring, sleep disturbance and suggests medical help.
Fortunately, the illness finally shows up by way of other signs that the patient notices. These include rapid and unexplained gain in body weight; excessive daytime sleepiness; mood deterioration like depression, irritability; daytime fatigue; frequent urination at night, etc.
How is diagnosis done?
Doctors normally do not rely on the experiences as reported by the patient or his or her family. A test is recommended before the doctor finally confirms the condition. This is one of the most reliable and objective diagnostic tools that helps in diagnosing the condition. It is also known as polysomnogram examination, overnight sleep study, etc.
During this examination, several physical and physiological parameters are studied that give a detailed overview to the doctor regarding the severity of the condition, the site of obstruction in the airway and the nature of the illness the patient is suffering from.
Sleep apnea treatment: choice depends on how serious the condition is
For managing mild to moderate conditions:
- Weight loss not just of the body but also of the breathing muscles with the help of sleep apnea exercises.
- Abstinence from alcohol
- Changing sleeping position
- Raising pillow height
- CPAP or Continuous Positive Air Pressure therapy
- Apnea dental devices like mouth guards, etc.
Managing severe conditions:
Surgery is often the last and final option for treating severe conditions. Several options are available in this regard but some common surgeries include Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), Somnoplasty, Tonsillectomy, Laser-Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP), Pillar Palatal Implant, Tracheostomy, Genioglossus (tongue advancement), Maxillary or maxillomandibular advancement (MMA), Laser midline glossectomy and lingualplasty (removal of part of the tongue), Hyoid myotomy with suspension, etc.
How to be sure that it is sleep apnea?
Excessive daytime sleepiness is a sign that is common not only to this disorder but also hypersomnia and is one of the main narcolepsy symptoms.
How to clear diagnostic dilemma?
- Study the age of the patient when the illness has set in. For apnea it is usually around 50 years but with other disorders it could be much earlier.
- The disorder is an outcome of dysfunctional brain but narcolepsy is usually caused by dysfunctional central nervous system.
- Sleep apnea treatment involves changing sleep pattern, devices and even surgery. Management of other disorders may not demand such steps.
Though one of the most disabling sleep disorders that is difficult to detect, sleep apnea can be prevented from worsening with timely diagnosis and proper therapy.
About the Author:
If you want to know more about sleep apnea symptoms, then be sure to check Douglas Kidder's site and get all the information you need about sleep apnea treatment.
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