Sleep Apnea Sleep apnea is a serious, potentially life-altering health issue that may lead to life-threatening conditions. People with this disorder stop breathing for 10 seconds or more (sometimes up to 30 seconds) at a time during sleep. An episode like this can occur up to 400 times every night, usually waking the person having them - or their partner. This leads both people to have interupted bouts of sleep (falling from deep sleep to light sleep and intermittent waking) - resulting in not getting enough rest.

Sometimes the person having the breathing interuptions will not remember waking throughout the night, but may notice sleepiness during the day - or the feeling that he just cannot get enough sleep.

If you or someone you know snores regularly and has one or more of the following symptoms, it may be Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Check all that apply:

It is estimated that 5 to 10 percent of adults in the US have OSA, approximating 20 million people. Of these, 85 to 90 percent have not been identified. Sleep apnea can affect persons of any age; however, it has been found to be more common among those who are 40 years of age or older.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
The most common form of sleep apea (affecting 90% sleep apnea patients), this is caused when there is a blockage to the air coming into your body; therefore, restricting the proper amount of oxygen the person needs to get into the lungs. This obstruction can be one of many things - a tongue, tonsils, extra fatty throat tissue, relaxed throat muscles or the uvula (the small piece of flesh that hangs down in the back of your throat).

Beyond creating sleep disruptions, OSA has been associated wiht an increased risk of hypertension, heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation, diabetes and other conditions. For these reasons, it is important to properly identify and successfully treat patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Normal Breathing Airway is open Air flows freely to lungs		OSA Airway collapses Blocked air flow

What to do if you suspect you have OSA
First and foremost - it is imperative that you see a doctor if you suspect you have this sleep disorder. Most of the time, OSA sufferers remain undiagnosed and untreated.

The SleepCenter specializes in sleep disorders and can perform a sleep study using the newest technologies. A sleep study provides our doctors with important information about how you sleep and breathe to help us determine your diagnosis and treatment options.

What treatments are available for OSA?
The most common treatment for OSA is CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). Surgery and oral appliances may be effective in certain individuals.

What if OSA goes untreated?
Many times, OSA does go untreated. This could create increased risk for various conditions, including:

• high blood pressure
• heart disease and heart attack
• stroke
• fatigue-related motor vehicle and work accidents
• decreased quality of life

Contact the SleepCenter today if you think you may have OSA.