Understanding Sleep Apnea

What is Sleep Apnea/ Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep condition where the individual stops and starts breathing repeatedly during sleep. Apneais temporary cessation of breathing, and sleep apnea iswhen apnea occurs once or several hundred times during sleep.Sleep apnea is relatively common and is more common observed in obese individuals. Literature and science point out that sleep apnea known to cause several metabolicdisorders such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, stroke, and heart conditions.

What are the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea?

• Loud or irregular snoring during sleep
• Gasping or choking during sleep.
• Dry mouth on awakening
• Day time sleepiness
• Unrefreshing sleep regardless of sleep duration
• Increased fatigue
• Morning headaches
• Body mass index >30
• Crowded oro-phranyx
• Increased neck circumference

What are the different types of Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is of two types, central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea.

What is Central Sleep Apnea?

Central Sleep Apnea is due to when breathing stops during sleep since the respiratory (breathing) muscles do not receive the necessary excitatory signals from the brain to enable normal functioning of the respiration. In central sleep apnea, the physician has to determine the underlying cause and managed appropriately.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)occurs due to obstruction in the respiratory pathway or airway. The obstruction/ constricted space can be due to large tongue, constricted oral cavity, narrow palate, increase in neck circumference, enlargedtonsils, enlarged adenoidsand/or lack of muscle tonicity in the airway. Snoring is considered on of the most obvious symptoms of OSA and therefore needs to assessed carefully.

What is the management modalities for OSA?

Once diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea by an ENT/ Dentist/ Sleep physician, sleep apnea can be managed by several ways.Treatment modalities accepted by the American Association of Sleep Medicine (AASM)include CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), MAD devices (mandibular advancement devices), and other surgical modalities. Management should be performed by a trained medical professional underphysicians’ guidance.

What is CPAP?

CPAP otherwise continuous positive airway pressure therapy is the most adopted and the most recommended treatment modality for patient with sleep apnea. Continuous mild air pressure is pushed by the CPAP to keep the airway opento enable good sleep hygiene and prevent airway collapse when the patient is asleep. The machine consists of a mask, a tube that connects to the CPAP and a motor that pumps air into the mask.

What are MADS?

MADS otherwise called mandibular advancement devices are the second most common modality for management of Sleep apnea as per recommendations of AASM.