 Do You Have Sleep Apnea?
Razia Rangwala, M.D.
If you snore loudly while sleeping, and feel tired throughout the day, you might have obstructive sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea is the cessation of breathing during sleep due to partial or complete obstruction of airway. It is more common than initially thought. Approximately 4% of men and 2% of women over age 50 suffer from sleep apnea. Patients with sleep apnea are often overweight and might have a short thick neck. Others may have a short receding lower jaw, or a thick tongue.
Most people with obstructive sleep apnea remain undiagnosed. Usually their bed partner complains that he/she snores loudly, stops breathing during sleep and gasps for air and wakes up frequently at night. This generally disturbs the partner’s sleep.
If you snore and have any of the additional problems listed below, you may have obstructive sleep apnea.
Do You Have Sleep Apnea? |
If you snore excessively and have any of the additional problems listed below, you may have sleep apnea. Please consider discussing a sleep evaluation with your doctor. |
| 1. Do you snore loudly? |
Yes |
No |
| 2. Does your bedroom partner complain about your snoring? |
Yes |
No |
| 3. Does your snoring wake you up at night? |
Yes |
No |
| 4. Do you or your bedroom partner notice that you make gasping and choking noises during sleep? |
Yes |
No |
| 5. Do you have a dry mouth, sore throat or headache in the morning? |
Yes |
No |
| 6. Do you often fall asleep during the daytime when you want to stay awake? |
Yes |
No |
| 7. Are you often tired during the day? |
Yes |
No |
| 8. Do you have high blood pressure? |
Yes |
No |
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FIGURE : A suggested self-administered questionnaire for use in the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.
Source: American Academy of Family Physicians Nov 15, 1999 |
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The test to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea, and its severity is Nocturnal Polysomnography. In this technique multiple physiologic factors are measured while the patient sleeps in a laboratory.
Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea depends on its severity. Mild cases can be managed by weight loss, sleep hygiene, tongue retaining device or bite guard, raising the head end of the bed and sleeping on one’s side.
A CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine is the most consistently successful and extensively studied treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. The CPAP machine contains a fan that blows air under pressure through a mask into the nostrils and keeps the airway open. Patients wear it every night while sleeping.
Medical complications of untreated obstructive sleep apnea include high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, enlarged chambers of the heart, right-sided heart failure and stroke. Psychosocial problems are depression, mood changes, poor memory, irritability, impaired concentration and nocturnal panic attacks. It is not a condition to be ignored.
If you (or your partner) think you might have obstructive sleep apnea, please make an appointment with your primary care physician to discuss your concerns and possible treatment.
Dr. Rangwala practices family medicine in Bay Valley Medical Group’s Pleasanton office. She is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. She can be reached at: 925-462-7060. |
