Questions and Answers - Recent questions and answers in Sleep Apnea

Skin Problems and Treatments

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 07:41:56 +0000

Answered: How does CPAP help treat sleep apnea?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 07:23:54 +0000

Benefits of CPAP include keeping your airways open while you sleep, easing snoring, improving sleep quality, relieving daytime sleepiness, and lowering blood pressure.

Although you will likely feel better rested and alert once you start CPAP, getting used to the device can take some time. Some people have difficulty sleeping the first few nights of treatment.

Answered: What is the best treatment for sleep apnea?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 07:20:38 +0000

That depends on a number of things, including the severity of your problem, the physical structure of your upper airway, other medical problems you may have, as well as your personal preference. You should work with your doctor or sleep specialist to select the best option for you.

Answered: Does CPAP have side effects?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 07:17:50 +0000

Side effects of CPAP use are usually minor and may include:

If you are having any of these or other problems, call your doctor. An adjustment to your CPAP machine may make it more comfortable.

Feelings of confinement from the face mask
Sore or dry mouth
Nasal congestion, runny nose, sinusitis, or nosebleeds
Irritation and sores over the bridge of the nose
Stomach bloating and discomfort
Discomfort in chest muscles.

Answered: What if CPAP doesn't work for my sleep apnea?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 07:15:29 +0000

Oral appliances fitted by a dentist or orthodontist may be an option, including:

Mandibular advancement device (MAD): The most widely used mouth device for sleep apnea, MADs look much like a mouth guard used in sports. The devices snap over the upper and lower dental arches and have metal hinges that make it possible for the lower jaw to be eased forward.

Tongue retaining device: Used less commonly than MAD, this device is a splint that holds the tongue in place to keep the airway open.

Answered: How can limiting alcohol and stopping smoking ease sleep apnea?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 07:13:44 +0000

You already know that lighting up and drinking too much booze aren’t the healthiest moves you can make. Did you know they can also make your sleep apnea symptoms worse?

Cigarette smoking increases swelling in your upper airway. That can aggravate symptoms like snoring and pauses in breathing.

Alcohol decreases the muscle tone in the back of the throat, which can interfere with air flow -- the last thing you need when you already have breathing problems.

How is sleep apnea treated?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 07:11:48 +0000

Answered: How can losing weight help you with sleep apnea?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 07:10:50 +0000

Not all people with sleep apnea are overweight or obese, but about half are. If you have some extra weight, then slimming down -- even by a few pounds -- can often improve your symptoms.

Answered: How can eating healthy help ease sleep apnea?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 07:09:19 +0000

When you don’t get enough sleep, you might be more likely to crave carbs. Lack of sleep and fatigue have also been linked with changes in the hormones leptin and ghrelin, which control your feelings of hunger and fullness. When you’re tired, you may want to eat more, and you might feel less satisfied when you do.

Answered: How can taking charge of your allergies help ease sleep apnea?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 07:07:42 +0000

It’s no surprise that sleeping and breathing are harder when you’re stuffed up from nasal allergies.

Picture your airway as a long, muscular tube running from your nose to your windpipe. If your allergies aren’t under control, the tissues of your upper throat swell and make the airway narrow. With less space for air, breathing gets harder.

If you have nasal allergies, talk to your doctor about how to get them under control. It may help to use a neti pot or a saline nasal spray before bed.

Answered: What is the most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea in adults?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 07:05:48 +0000

In adults, the most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea is excess weight and obesity, which is associated with soft tissue of the mouth and throat. During sleep, when throat and tongue muscles are more relaxed, this soft tissue can cause the airway to become blocked. But many other factors are associated with the condition in adults.

Answered: What are the medical treatments for obstructive sleep apnea?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 07:04:35 +0000

Medical treatment -- which includes control of risk factors, use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or oral appliances, and surgery -- may improve signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea and its complications.

Answered: What are other factors associated with obstructive sleep apnea?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 07:00:38 +0000

Other factors associated with obstructive sleep apnea include:

Family history. About 25%-40% of people with obstructive sleep apnea have family members with the condition.
Ethnicity. Sleep apnea also is more common in African-Americans, Hispanics, and Pacific Islanders than in whites.

Answered: Who is most likely to get obstructive sleep apnea?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 06:55:32 +0000

Obstructive sleep apnea is thought to affect 4%-9% of middle-aged adults. But the condition is often undiagnosed and untreated. It's estimated that at least 10% of people over 65 have the condition. That's because aging affects the brain's ability to keep upper airway throat muscles stiff during sleep. This raises the chance that the airway will narrow or collapse.

Obstructive sleep apnea is up to four times as common in men as in women, but women are more likely to develop sleep apnea during pregnancy and after menopause. In older adults, the gender gap narrows after women reach menopause.

Answered: What can untreated obstructive sleep apnea lead to?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 06:53:06 +0000

Regardless of age, untreated obstructive sleep apnea can lead to serious complications, including cardiovascular disease, accidents, and premature death. So it's important that anyone with signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea -- especially loud snoring and repeated nighttime awakenings followed by excessive daytime sleepiness -- see a doctor.

Answered: What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 06:10:09 +0000

Common sleep apnea symptoms include:

Waking up with a very sore or dry throat
Loud snoring
Occasionally waking up with a choking or gasping sensation
Sleepiness or lack of energy during the day
Sleepiness while driving
Morning headaches
Restless sleep
Forgetfulness, mood changes, and a decreased interest in sex
Recurrent awakenings or insomnia

Answered: How are obstructive sleep apnea and being overweight connected?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 06:09:40 +0000

More than half of people with obstructive sleep apnea are either overweight or obese. This means they have a body mass index (BMI) of 25-29.9 or 30.0 or above, respectively. In adults, extra weight is the biggest risk factor associated with obstructive sleep apnea.

Although modest weight loss improves obstructive sleep apnea, it can be difficult for exhausted patients to lose weight. In extremely obese patients, bariatric surgery is associated with an 85% success rate in improving the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.

Answered: Who is least likely to get obstructive sleep apnea?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 06:09:08 +0000

Postmenopausal women who get hormone replacement therapy are significantly less likely than those who don't to have obstructive sleep apnea. This means progesterone and/or estrogen may be protective. But hormone replacement therapy is not considered an appropriate therapy for the condition. That's because it can affect health in other ways.

Answered: What is the most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea in children?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 06:08:41 +0000

In children, causes of obstructive sleep apnea often include enlarged tonsils or adenoids, and dental conditions such as a large overbite. Less common causes include a tumor or growth in the airway, and birth defects such as Down syndrome and Pierre-Robin syndrome. Down Syndrome causes enlargement of the tongue, adenoids and tonsils and there is decreased muscle tone in the upper airway. Pierre-Robin syndrome actually has a small lower jaw and the tongue tends to ball up and fall to the back of the throat. Although childhood obesity may cause obstructive sleep apnea, it's much less commonly associated with the condition than adult obesity.

Answered: What are other risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 06:08:01 +0000

In addition to obesity, other anatomical features associated with obstructive sleep apnea -- many of them hereditary -- include a narrow throat, thick neck, and round head. Contributing factors may include hypothyroidism, excessive and abnormal growth due to excessive production of growth hormone (acromegaly), and allergies and other medical conditions such as a deviated septum that cause congestion in the upper airways.

In adults, smoking, excessive alcohol use, and/or the use of sedatives is often associated with obstructive sleep apnea.

Answered: What are complications related to obstructive sleep apnea?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 06:07:03 +0000

Evidence suggests obstructive sleep apnea is strongly associated with conditions such as:

About half of sleep-apnea patients have hypertension, and untreated obstructive sleep apnea raises the risk of heart-related illness and death. Obstructive sleep apnea is also associated with daytime sleepiness, which increases the risk for motor vehicle accidents and depression.

Some complications may be related to the release of stress hormones, which may be triggered by frequent decreases in blood oxygen levels and reduced sleep quality. Stress hormones can increase heart rate and also can lead to the development or worsening of heart failure.

High blood pressure (hypertension) Stroke
Heart attack
Diabetes
Gastroesophageal reflux disease Nocturnal angina
Heart failure
Hypothyroidism
Abnormal heart rhythm

Answered: What is CPAP for sleep apnea?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 06:05:06 +0000

The most effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, CPAP blows air with continuous pressure down your throat at night to keep your airways open while you sleep. The treatment is done using a CPAP machine, which consists of three main parts:

CPAP machines are small, lightweight, and fairly quiet. If you travel, you should take your CPAP with you.

Mask that fits over your nose -- or your nose and mouth -- and is held in place with straps while you sleep
Motor that blows air
Large tube called a cannula that connects the motor to the mask

Answered: What are the types of surgery for sleep apnea?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 06:04:34 +0000

You may need surgery for sleep apnea if you have a deviated nasal septum, enlarged tonsils, or a small lower jaw with an overbite that narrows your throat. The most common procedures include:

Nasal surgery to fix deviated septum and other problems.
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) to remove soft tissue on the back of the throat and palate to widen the airway at the opening of throat.
Mandibular maxillomandibular advancement surgery to correct facial problems or throat obstructions that lead to sleep apnea.

Answered: What are the types of sleep apnea?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 06:04:03 +0000

There are two types :

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common. It results from a blocked airway, usually when the soft tissue in the back of your throat collapses during sleep.
Central sleep apnea happens when your brain doesn't tell your muscles to breathe. This results from a problem in the part of your brain that controls breathing.

Answered: How helpful iares dental devices in treating sleep apnea?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 06:03:29 +0000

Special dental devices can help keep your airway open during sleep. Such devices can be designed by dentists with special expertise in treating sleep apnea.

Answered: What equipment is used for a sleep study?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 06:02:51 +0000

During a sleep study, surface electrodes will be put on your face and scalp and will send recorded electrical signals to the measuring equipment. These signals, which are generated by your brain and muscle activity, are then recorded digitally. Belts will be placed around your chest and abdomen to measure your breathing. A bandage-like oximeter probe will be put on your finger to measure the amount of oxygen in your blood.

Answered: How does sleep apnea affect your body?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 06:02:21 +0000

If you don't treat it, sleep apnea can raise the risk of health problems, including:

High blood pressure
Stroke
Heart failure, irregular heart beats, and heart attacks
Diabetes
Depression
Worsening of ADHD
Headaches

Answered: What is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in relation to sleep apnea?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 06:01:49 +0000

Continuous positive airway pressure -- also called CPAP – treats sleep apnea with a mask worn over your nose and/or mouth in bed. The mask is hooked up to a machine that delivers a continuous flow of air into the nose. This air flow helps keep the airways open so that breathing is regular. CPAP is the most common treatment for sleep apnea. There's also bi-level positive airway pressure, or BPAP, which is similar to CPAP but the air flow changes when you breathe in and then breathe out.

Answered: How do sleep apnea pillows help?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 06:01:15 +0000

Sleep apnea pillows that you can use without a CPAP machine position your neck so your airway is more likely to stay open. Ones you use with the machine are meant to make you more comfortable when you wear your CPAP mask. Some have features that ease pressure from the mask or keep it from rotating out of place.

Answered: What is sleep apnea?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 06:00:40 +0000

This serious sleep disorder occurs when your breathing is interrupted during sleep. If you have untreated sleep apnea your breathing stops repeatedly while you're asleep, sometimes hundreds of times. This means your brain -- and the rest of the body -- may not get enough oxygen.

Answered: What are some equipments used for sleep apnea test?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 05:59:52 +0000

EEG (electroencephalogram) to measure and record brain wave activity.
EMG (electromyogram) to record muscle activity such as face twitches, teeth grinding, and leg movements, and to determine the presence of REM stage sleep. During REM sleep, intense dreams often occur as the brain undergoes heightened activity.
EOG (electro-oculogram) to record eye movements. These movements are important in determining the different sleep stages, particularly REM stage sleep.
ECG (electrocardiogram) to record heart rate and rhythm.
Nasal airflow sensor to record airflow.
Snore microphone to record snoring activity.

Answered: What is a hypoglossal nerve stimulator?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 05:59:11 +0000

About the size of a pacemaker, doctors put the device inside your chest through minor surgery. With a small remote, you turn it on before you go to sleep and off in the morning. It monitors your breathing patterns and sends signals to the nerves that control your tongue and other muscles. They move forward, and keep your airway open.

The device is an option for people who’ve tried CPAP without any success or don’t use it properly. And a few studies suggest it works about as well as the mask-machine combo. But ask your doctor if it’s a good choice for you.

Answered: What other health problems can sleep apnea cause?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 05:58:28 +0000

High blood pressure
Heart disease
Type 2 diabetes
Weight gain
Adult asthma
Acid reflux
Car accidents

Answered: What are the treatments options for sleep apnea?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 05:34:08 +0000

Sleep apnea treatments range from lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or changing sleep positions, to CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) mask to surgery.

Answered: How can I treat sleep apnea at home?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 05:33:28 +0000

You may be able to treat mild cases of sleep apnea by changing your behavior. You can try to:

Lose weight
Avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
Change sleep positions to improve breathing.
Quit smoking. Smoking can increase the swelling in the upper airway, which may worsen both snoring and apnea.
Avoid sleeping on your back.

Answered: What is the "tennis ball technique" and how does it help sleep apnea?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 05:32:44 +0000

Sleeping on your side may improve your symptoms. To keep you off your back, some doctors suggest you pin a tube sock filled with a couple of tennis balls to the back of your PJs.

One study of the tennis ball technique showed it did help some people. Of the 50 people who used the method and reported back, 38% said they were still doing it after 6 months. They said they had better sleep quality, more daytime alertness, and quieter snoring.

Answered: What is a sleep apnea test?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 05:32:12 +0000

A sleep apnea test, also called a polysomnogram, electronically records what happens while you sleep. This test can be done at a clinic or at home. A sleep specialist studies the recording to see if you have sleep apnea or a different sleep disorder.

If you have sleep apnea, you may need further tests to help your doctor find the best treatment options.

Answered: What is the goal of sleep apnea treatment?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 05:31:45 +0000

The goal of sleep apnea treatment is to open your airway so you can breathe better at night. Many devices can help that happen. Among the most common options are CPAP machines, mouth appliances, and specially designed pillows.

Answered: What can you expect during a sleep study?

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 05:31:02 +0000

A sleep study can check if you have a sleep disorder. You’ll spend the night at a sleep lab or at the hospital. Technicians will monitor your sleep from near your bedroom. You’ll be hooked up to equipment. It may look uncomfortable, but most people don’t find them too bothersome.

You can also do the test at home with portable equipment, especially if your problems aren’t too complicated.