Claire Bischoff

SLEEP APNEA

DESCRIPTION • Sleep disorder in which breathing stops and starts during sleep.

• Two main types of sleep apnea:

• Obstructive sleep apnea

• Central sleep apnea

SYMPTOMS• Snoring

• Fatigue after a full night’s sleep

• Observed pauses in breathing during sleep

• Abrupt awakenings during the night with shortness of breath

• Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat

• Headaches in the morning

• Insomnia

CAUSES OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

• More common type of sleep apnea

• Muscles in the back of the throat relax

• Airway can narrow or close when inhaling

• Leads to oxygen deficiencies

CAUSES OF CENTRAL SLEEP APNEA• Brain fails to send signals to muscles that assist in breathing

• Heart disease, brain tumor, or a stroke can cause this type of sleep apnea

TREATMENTS• Lifestyle changes such as losing weight or quitting smoking can help symptoms of

sleep apnea

• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)- device that delivers air pressure through a mask placed over the nose during sleep

• Oral appliances designed to open throat

• Surgery:

• Removal of tissue in rear of mouth and top of throat or removal of tonsils

• Jaw moved forward to increase airway space

• Tube inserted into neck to breathe through

PROGRESSION• Cardiovascular problems can develop due to increased blood pressure

caused by sleep apnea that damages the cardiovascular system

RECOVERY• Sleep apnea can be treated very effectively through the use of CPAP

machine and can be cured through surgery