Sleep Apnea Syndrome Treatment

Sleep Apnea is a common sleep disorder characterised by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. When the body realises it has stopped breathing, the sufferer wakes up. These episodes, called apneas (meaning ‘not breathing’), can occur repeatedly throughout the night, without the sufferer’s knowledge, leading to an overall lack of sleep. Many sufferers are unaware of the apneas they have experienced when they wake but will report symptoms of fatigue. This fatigue is a telltale sign of sleep apnea, and usually leads to sufferers consulting a doctor, and then being diagnosed with the disorder.

The most common type of sleep apnea is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), caused by relaxation of soft tissue in the back of the throat that blocks the passage of air. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) is caused by irregularities in the brain’s normal signals to breathe. Some people with sleep apnea have a combination of both types.

The hallmark symptom of the disorder is excessive daytime sleepiness. Additional symptoms of sleep apnea include restless sleep, loud snoring (with periods of silence followed by gasps), falling asleep during the day, morning headaches, trouble concentrating, irritability, forgetfulness, mood or behavior changes, weight gain, increased heart rate, anxiety, and depression. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is more likely to occur in men than in women, and in people who are overweight or obese.

Some patients experience sleep hypopnea which is not an entire cessation of breathing but a blockage of 50% of airflow to the lungs. In severe cases of sleep apnea, patients may have up to 100 events per hour, resulting in severe daytime fatigue. Disease severity is usually classified according to the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI). Measured during a sleep study, AHI refers to the number of apneas and hypopneas per hour. An AHI of 5 or more generally indicates the presence of mild Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS), and an AHI of 15 generally indicates moderate SAS.

Researchers continue to develop an understanding of the risks created by and associated with SAS.

Associated risks include the following:

• Hypertension
• Stroke
• CHF (Congestive Heart Filure)
• Traffic accidents

Three recent studies examine the link between SAS and hypertension. One demonstrated that SAS has a profound association with hypertension independent of all other risk factors. Evidence also points to increased mortality rates for patients with untreated SAS.

SAS can be treated by Positive Airway Pressure Therapy. This treatment includes the use of devices that provide a continuous positive air pressure that acts as a pneumatic splint to keep the airways open during sleep. A flow generator delivers pressure through air tubing to a nasal mask. This treatment is offered by ResMed.

The American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery patient information states that 45% of normal adults snore occasionally and 25% are habitual snorers. A frequently referenced study by Young et al reports that as many as 29% of adult males and 9% of adult females have some degree of SAS.