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Sleep Apnea Health Problems Can Be Serious

February 28, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Article by Andrew Stratton







Sleep apnea is much more serious than many realize. Sleep apnea health problems can effect vital body functions, including heart attack, heart failure, high blood pressure, and a host of other problems. Don’t ignore sleep apnea – it could cost you your life.

Article:

Efforts to discover what causes sleep apnea have been intense, and although the actual cause may not have been identified, researchers have discovered that sleep apnea health problems can be serious.

There are several major risk factors for heart disease such as obesity, alcohol abuse, and smoking, but you might be surprised to find out that sleep apnea is also a major risk factor. Combine any of these factors, and the risk doubles for serious sleep apnea health problems. For example, if you are obese and you suffer from sleep apnea, then your risk of heart problems increases.

If your sleep apnea is treated with a sleep apnea device such as CPAP, you reduce or even eliminate your risks. However, if you do not seek treatment when your breathing stops during an apnea attack, the levels of carbon dioxide in your blood increase while the levels of oxygen drop off. This effect causes a variety of chemical and physical events to occur that can increase your risk for heart problems.

Sleep apnea health problems increase the longer the apnea remains untreated. Sleep apnea will decrease the levels of gas nitric oxide in the blood, which is an important substance for heart health. The reduced levels raise the risk of heart problems.

Apnea also increases the angiotensin converting enzyme, which plays a role in congestive heart failure and high blood pressure. High levels of this enzyme exacerbate your sleep apnea health problems. Other chemical changes involved also increase your risk for heart problems.

There is still much research needed to define just how all of these changes affect the heart and just how serious the impact is to the health of your heart. With treatments available, why take the risk? Why not use a sleep apnea device like CPAP?

Studies have made direct correlations with the following sleep apnea health problems. If you suffer from sleep apnea, consider these risks if you choose to ignore using one of the sleep apnea device treatments.

High Blood Pressure – Several studies have correlated sleep apnea with high blood pressure. A study conducted in 2004 for sleep apnea health problems found that the more apnea episodes you had in the first year, the more likely you were to have high blood pressure by the time year four came around.

Blood pressure will have wide fluctuations in response to the apnea episode. These fluctuations might be a result of the sympathetic nervous system sudden surge. It’s these fluctuations, which lead to the blood vessels constricting, and over time, this leads to high blood pressure and the possibility of heart damage.

Effective treatments like the CPAP sleep apnea device allow your airways to remain open, which means your blood pressure will be lowered. Only partial reduction of sleep apnea does not have the positive effective. It must be a substantial reduction.

Of the many sleep apnea health problems, coronary artery disease and heart attack are the two most serious. Studies have confirmed that the more apnea episodes you have the higher your risk of heart attack, stroke, and coronary artery disease. This is especially true in older adults. Do you still want to ignore treatment such as CPAP?

If you have sleep apnea, you double your risk for stroke. The worse the episodes, the greater the risk you face. Severe sleep apnea can triple your risk of stroke. And stroke sufferers with sleep apnea have symptoms that are worse, such as poor speech response, depression, delirium, and difficulty with daily activities. Another good reason to use a sleep apnea device is to reduce your risk of developing sleep apnea health problems.

37% of all heart failure patience had sleep apnea, and if you have existing congestive heart failure with sleep apnea, your risk of death goes up.

Other sleep apnea health problems that have been directly linked to sleep apnea

* Peripheral nerve damage
* Asthma
* Diabetes
* Kidney failure
* Eye disorders
* Liver damage
* Seizures
* Nerve disorders
* High-risk pregnancies
* Headaches
* Irregular menstrual periods

Now that you know just a few of the sleep apnea health problems are you ready to seek treatment?

** About the author text:
The quality of your sleep has an immediate effect on your daily health. Visit Kelly’s Medical Equipment & Supply at http://www.kellysmedical.com/ to get more information on sleep apnea and the CPAP device for treatment. Kelly’s Medical wants to help you sleep for better health and better living.



About the Author

The quality of your sleep has an immediate effect on your daily health. Visit Kelly’s Medical Equipment & Supply at http://www.kellysmedical.com to get more information on sleep apnea and the CPAP device for treatment. Kelly’s Medical wants to help you sleep for better health and better living.

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What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

February 28, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Article by Adnan Siddiq, M.D.







WHAT IS SLEEP APNEA?

Sleep apnea is defined as an interruption in breathing during sleep. Usually when we are awake and conscious, we are aware of our breathing process and we can control the rate and rhythm of breathing. During sleep, breathing is controlled by the respiratory brain centers. It is a totally involuntary action which can not be controlled by one’s will. In sleep apnea, there is interference in the normal regular breathing process during sleep.

WHAT IS OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA?

By the word obstructive, it is meant that some part of the lumen of the respiratory tract is narrowed to such an extent that it partially or completely collapses and the breathing process is interfered or comes to a halt. It usually involves the throat region.

HOW COMMON IS OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common condition. About 4% of adults are diagnosed with Obstructive sleep apnea in America – about 1 in every 25 Americans. Obstructive sleep apnea has a high prevalence among the general population, despite that 80% of people with this disorder are left undiagnosed. This is because many people suffering from Obstructive sleep apnea are either unaware of their problem or neglect their condition and do not bother to complain whilst still facing the consequences of this disorder.

WHO SUFFERS FROM OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA?

Though believed to be a disorder of the general population, Obstructive sleep apnea is seen more in overweight individuals. Nevertheless, it may also be seen in individuals of normal weight who have other anatomic findings. People who suffer from enlarged tonsils and adenoids, macroglossia (enlarged tongue) or abnormal positioning of the maxilla and mandible, are also prone to suffer from Obstructive sleep apnea. Recent studies have shown that Obstructive sleep apnea is also seen frequently in patients suffering from congestive heart failure. Alcohol use has also been documented as one of the risk factors for Obstructive sleep apnea.

DOES OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA AFFECT CHILDREN ALSO?

Yes, Obstructive sleep apnea may affect children as well. Many studies have been conducted by comparing different child age groups for the presence of this disorder. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids along with obesity are contributing factors to acquire Obstructive sleep apnea in children.

HOW DO I KNOW THAT I’M SUFFERING FROM OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA?

One can be suspicious of having Obstructive sleep apnea if he/she has the following signs and symptoms:

* Loud snoring which is usually unnoticed by the patient but disturbs the bedroom partner who complains to the patient and the doctor.
* Gasping and choking noises during sleep.
* Disrupted sleep with frequent awakenings.
* Frequent nightmares (especially in children).
* Dry mouth, sore throat or headache after waking up in the morning.
* Excessive daytime sleepiness.
* High blood pressure.

DOES OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA LEAD TO OTHER PROBLEMS?

Besides badly altering the quality of life, Obstructive sleep apnea gives rise to a number of moderate to severe medical conditions like Hypertension, Angina, Nocturnal cardiac arrhythmias, Myocardial infarction, Stroke, Emotional problems, Depression, Mood disorders, Poor memory, Irritability and motor vehicle accidents due to daytime drowsiness.

WHICH TESTS SHOULD BE DONE TO CONFIRM OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA?

Though physical examination of the throat and weight measurement provide much information, following tests should be done to confirm whether you have Obstructive sleep apnea or not:

* Nocturnal polysomnography (over night sleep study) is the gold standard test done to evaluate Obstructive sleep apnea in patients. It involves monitoring of different events occurring during sleep like eye movements, chest wall movements and EEG etc.

HOW TO TREAT OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA?

Treatment of Obstructive sleep apnea largely depends upon the severity of disease and also varies greatly from one individual to another. For mild cases of Obstructive sleep apnea, conservative measures are applied like:

* Weight loss therapy in case of obese patients, is an important treatment option and may results in improvement of symptoms in many patients.
* Sleeping in lateral positions (sleeping on the sides).
* Avoiding alcohol 4-6 hours before bedtime.
* Quitting smoking.
* Avoiding sleep medications.

If above measures fail or if the disease is severe, then Obstructive sleep apnea requires specific treatment which consists of following measures:
Treatment Options

* Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP): This is the most effective treatment of Obstructive sleep apnea and has become the standard of care. It consists of a nasal mask which keeps the airway patent by providing positive air pressure into the airway.

* Oral and dental appliances: These devices work by manipulating the jaw bone in such a manner that it enlarges the posterior airspace.

* Oral Surgery: These surgeries are aimed at widening the airway by removing excess soft tissue from the throat or by removing enlarged tonsils and adenoids if they are the cause. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is one of the common surgeries.

* Laser assisted removal of soft tissues has also recently gained popularity among patients and doctors.

Most patients with Obstructive sleep apnea can be treated effectively by one of the above methods of treatment, but some may require more than one modality of treatment.



About the Author

Adnan Siddiq, M.D. is a contributing writer for the American Sleep Association

Other articles that he has contributed can be found in the Sleep Apnea section of the ASA.

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A Natural Remedy for Depression – Alleviating Sleep Apnea?

February 28, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Article by Kevin Flatt







Could correcting sleep apnea remedy depression? Studies link sleep apnea and depression, therefore the correction of sleep apnea may be a remedy for depression. For more than twenty years studies have suggested the existence of a relationship between depression and obstructive sleep apnea in the general population.

A researcher at Stanford University found that in the general population of the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain about 800 of 100,000 individuals have both a breathing-related sleep disorder and a major depressive disorder with nearly 20% of the subjects who had one of these disorders also having the other. (J Clin Psychiatry 2003, 64:1195-200; quiz, 1274-6).

In clinical practice, the presence of depressive symptoms is often considered in patients with obstructive sleep apnea although sleep problems and specifically obstructive sleep apnea are rarely assessed on a regular basis in patients with a depressive disorder.

It is speculated that obstructive sleep apnea might not only be associated with a depressive syndrome, but its presence may also be responsible for failure to respond to pharmacological treatment and that undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea might be exacerbated by antidepressant medications, such as benzodiazepines.

Although the benzodiazepines (central nervous system depressant drugs) may reduce sleep fragmentation, their long-term use may also cause health problems, such as complete obstructive sleep apnea in heavy snorers…(Am J Med. 1990 Mar 2;88(3A):25S-28S).

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep disordered breathing and is defined by frequent episodes of obstructed breathing during sleep. It is characterized by sleep-related decreases or pauses in respiration.

The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea is higher in men than in women and is found in all age groups but its prevalence increases with age. In children, the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea is less well known and has been estimated to be between 2-8%.

The estimated prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing in people between the ages of 30 to 60 years old was 9 percent for women and 24 percent for men. Male sex and obesity were strongly associated with the presence of sleep-disordered breathing. (N Engl J Med. 1993 Apr 29;328(17):1230-5).

Abnormal respiratory events are the hallmark of obstructive sleep apnea and are generally accompanied by heart rate variability and arousals from sleep, with frequent arousals being the most important factor resulting in excessive daytime sleepiness.

The extent to which daytime functioning is affected generally depends on the severity of obstructive sleep apnea. Symptoms other than excessive daytime sleepiness which greatly impact daytime functioning are neuropsychological symptoms such as irritability, difficulty concentrating, cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms, and other psychological disturbances. Therefore obstructive sleep apnea can easily mimic symptoms of a major depressive episode.

In 1997 researchers studied the relation between obstructive sleep apnea and depression and reported that 24% of 25 male patients with obstructive sleep apnea had previously seen a psychiatrist for anxiety or depression. (Arch Intern Med. 1977 Mar;137(3):296-300).

In 1989 researchers at the University of California Irvine Medical Center, found 67% of patients who presented to a major sleep disorders center reported an episode of depression within the previous 5 years, and 26% described themselves as depressed at presentation. (J Clin Psychol. 1989 Jan;45(1):51-60).

Of 50 patients who had severe obstructive sleep apnea most patients showed cognitive impairment; 76% had suspected or mild to severe deficits in terms of thinking, perception, memory, communication, or the ability to learn new information, resulting in a greater potential for being distractible, confused, and irritable. (J Chronic Dis. 1985;38(5):427-34).

In 1992 researchers in Spain found elevations in several depression scores in 23 obstructive sleep apnea patients (moderate to high severity) compared to 17 controls. Depression, schizophrenia, and hypochondriasis [chronic and abnormal anxiety about imaginary symptoms and ailments] were the highest scales. (Int J Neurosci. 1992 Feb;62(3-4):173-95).

Compared to patients who snore but do not have apnea, those with obstructive sleep apnea have more intense depressive symptoms (e.g., pessimism, inactivity, guilt) and somatic [physical] concerns. However, patients who snore but do not have apnea show psychological maladjustment that is in quality similar, but in quantity less severe, than those with obstructive sleep apnea. (Sleep. 1999 May 1;22(3):355-9).

Contradictory Research with Due to Limitations:

Researchers at the University of Kentucky, Department of Medicine, conducted a 5-year study of 95 normal older persons and did not find any significant depressive symptoms in elderly patients with a relatively mild obstructive sleep apnea, when compared to a control group without obstructive sleep apnea. (Chest. 1996 Sep;110(3):654-8).

However, there are multiple limitations to this study, besides a relatively small sample size for group comparisons and a non-representative study population.

Obstructive sleep apnea was only assessed at the start of the study, but not repeated at the five-year follow-up, i.e. neuropsychological data were compared between two groups based on obstructive sleep apnea status five years earlier.

Second, obstructive sleep apnea severity was mild even in the obstructive sleep apnea group.

Third, the groups differed significantly by age, with the obstructive sleep apnea group being older than the control group.

Finally, the drop out rate over the five years was very high with only 42 out of the initial 95 subjects completing the follow-up assessment. (Annals of General Psychiatry 2005, 4:13).

In 1998 researchers in Israel conducted a study comprising 2,271 patients (1,977 men, 294 women) with suspected Sleep Apnea Syndrome. They did not observe any association between respiratory disturbances and Symptom Check List 90 psychiatric questionnaire. (Chest. 1998 Sep;114(3):697-703).

However, the SCL-90 psychiatric questionnaire was developed as a screening tool for psychiatric patients, and not for a normal study population. Therefore, it might be a less sensitive tool with regards to milder forms of mood disturbances than other scales. (Annals of General Psychiatry 2005, 4:13).

However, the researchers in the abovementioned study did observe that among the minority of women in the study, those with severe obstructive sleep apnea had higher depression scores than those with mild obstructive sleep apnea. (Chest. 1998 Sep;114(3):697-703).

Fewer studies have focused on the screening for obstructive sleep apnea in primarily depressed study groups.

Sleep apnea was found in 42.9% of demented patients, 17.6% of depressives, and 4.3% of controls. A significant association between sleep apnea and dementia of the Alzheimer type was found in women but not in men. Moreover, severity of dementia was significantly correlated with apnea index. (J Clin Psychiatry. 1985 Jul;46(7):257-61).

All of the above suggests that obstructive sleep apnea might be an important confounding factor for studies on mood disorders in general, as its presence is not routinely determined in either research studies examining mood or clinical settings.

More studies are required to assess the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in primarily depressed patients, particularly as it can be suspected from existing studies that obstructive sleep apnea is greatly under diagnosed in depressed patients.

Reference: Adapted from: Schröder CM, O’Hara R. Depression and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Annals of General Psychiatry 2005, 4:13 (27 June 2005). Review. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.

If this article is reproduced please ensure links to my site are kept live.

Kevin Flatt specializes in Alternative Medicine. He is the publisher of Natural Remedies and Cures at http://www.naturalremediescures.com/



About the Author

Kevin Flatt specializes in Alternative Medicine. He is the publisher of Natural Remedies and Cures at http://www.naturalremediescures.com

Sleep apnea is a condition that causes a person to stop breathing for short periods of time during their sleep. The most effective way to treat this condition is with continuous positive airway pressure, also known as CPAP.
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