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Sleep Apnea Treatment


 

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

OSA or Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome is the cessation of airflow with the continuance of respiratory effort during sleep. Simply put, it is when a person stops breathing repeatedly during sleep.  Breathing stops (apnea) because the airway collapses and prevents air from getting into the lungs, thus oxygen levels in the blood decrease and sleep patterns are disrupted.  The airway can become obstructed by several different means.  Listed below are some common examples:

  • Tonsillar Hypertrophy (enlarged tonsils)
  • Elongated Palate or Uvula
  • Thick tongue base
  • Deviated septum
  • Nasal Polyps
  • Nasal congestion (including allergy related congestion)

How many people have OSAS (Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome)?

  • 4 in 100 middle-aged men and 2 in 100 middle-aged women have OSA.
  • It is estimated that as many as 18 million Americans have OSA.
  • Most OSA sufferers remain undiagnosed and untreated.
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea is as common as adult asthma.

What happens if Obstructive Sleep Apnea is not treated?

Possible increased risk for:

  • Fatigue-related accidents
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease and heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Decreased quality of life
  • Irregular heartbeat

How do I know if I have OSAS (Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome)?

Let’s look at some of the most often seen signs and symptoms associated with OSAS:

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Gasping (choking) or pauses in breath during sleep
  • High Blood Pressure
  •  Daytime fatigue
  • Depression
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Palpitations
  • Recurrent awakening from sleep
  • GERD (gastroesophageal reflux)
  • Morning headaches
  • Unrefreshing sleep
  • Memory Loss
  • Irritability
  • Dry mouth
  • Snoring

Who is most likely to have Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Listed below are six factors that increase the risk of OSAS:

  • Obesity, especially in the upper body
  • Male gender
  • Small upper airway due to excess throat tissue or abnormal jaw structure
  • Nasal obstruction
  • High blood pressure
  • Family history of OSA.

What should you do if you suspect you may have OSA?

  • Consult your doctor for an evaluation, a physician that specialized in sleep disorders is recommended.
  •  Have a sleep study done. An overnight sleep study, called a PSG (polysomnograph) can provide the doctor with important information on how you sleep and breathe. This information will help the doctor to determine an accurate diagnosis and treatment options.

What kinds of treatments are there for Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

The most common treatment is:

  • PAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) pronounced see-PAP.
  • Less common treatments include: (May be effective in certain individuals)
  •  Surgery
  • Oral appliances

Location

St. Francis Sleep, Allergy & Lung Institute
802 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
Phone: 727-447-3000
Fax: 727-210-4600

Office Hours

Get in touch

727-447-3000