Sleep Apnea

Introduction

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is where breathing stops between 10-60 seconds up to 300 times every night, causing sleep and oxygen deprivation.

OSA increases the chances of stroke, heart disease and heart attack, as well as the chances of work or driving accidents, and can lead to personal problems ranging from apparent psychotic symptoms through to hearing loss and sexual impotence.

Sleep Apnea

Apnea, a Greek word meaning 'without breath' (also spelt 'apnea'), is a common sleep disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep.

Clinically, apnea is defined as cessation of breath lasting at least ten seconds.

Apnea occurs when soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses, closing the airways and constricting breathing during sleep, up to 300 times per night. Each time there is an apnea episodes, the oxygen drops below the normal level. As each episode continue, the oxygen keeps dropping down further and can drop down as low as 60% or lower. Considering 94-100% oxygenation is an ideal level, such drop put a lot of stress on the body, heart and the brain.

Sleep Apnea and Snoring

The most common sleep disorder that effects 44% of men and 30% women is snoring. It robs themselves and their bed partner of health and vitality. It is linked to daytime exhaustion, depression and chronic fatigue. Among those who snore, a high percentage develop Obtrusive Sleep Apnea (OSA), where breathing stops between 10-60 seconds up to 300 times every night, causing sleep and oxygen deprivation. OSA increases the chances of stroke, heart disease and heart attack, as well as the chances of work or driving accidents, and can lead to personal problems ranging from apparent psychotic symptoms through to hearing loss and sexual impotence.

Apnea, oxygen and sleep deprivation

As sleep progresses, oxygen in the blood decreases with each apnea. Snorers often have to wake themselves to start breathing again, leading to sleep derivation over the course of the night.

What happens if OSA isn’t treated?

If OSA isn't treated, it will continue to worsen, increasing your risk of:

• Heart disease, high blood pressure and heart attack
• Fatigue-related motor vehicle and work accidents
• Diminished quality of life
• Stroke

How sleep deprived am I?

Use the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to rate how often you might doze off or fall asleep in any of the following situations (a score of nine or more suggests you may need professional assistance for a serious sleep disorder).

Scale

1. would never doze
2. slight chance of dozing
3. moderate chance of dozing
4. high chance of dozing

SITUATION	CHANCE OF DOZING
Siting and reading
Watching television
Sitting inactive in a public space (e.g. theatre or meeting)
As a passenger in a car for an hour without break
Lying down in the afternoon
Sitting and talking to someone
Sitting quietly after lunch without alcohol
In a car while stopped for a few minutes in traffic
My Total