Apnea

Sleep apnea refers to non-breathing episodes during sleep, which may occur as frequently as several hundred times per night.

Sleep apnea may occur in men, women and children of any age, but is most common in individuals over 35 years old. Over 20 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. A routine medical exam cannot reveal the main symptoms of this illness because the patient's breathing and airway remains normal while awake.

Sleep apnea can lead to life threatening health problems. During

apneic episodes, the oxygen content of the blood can decrease causing blood pressure to rise sharply and the heart to slow or stop. Sleep apnea can cause personality changes, morning headaches, hypertension, irregular heart rhythm, impotence and even death. People with untreated apnea are at a much greater risk for heart attack, stroke and motor vehicle accidents.

Proper diagnosis of the severity and type of apnea can only be determined by monitoring the individual's sleep. Testing is available at accredited sleep centers which use specialized diagnostic equipment.

THREE TYPES OF APNEA

Obstructive sleep apnea refers to pauses in breathing caused by an obstruction from the tonsils, uvula or fatty tissue, or by involuntary muscle relaxation which blocks the airflow during sleep. OSA is the most common form of sleep apnea and is eight times more likely to occur in men than women.

Central sleep apnea is an absence of airflow and respiratory effort - likely due to decreased input by the central nervous system.

Mixed apnea refers to a combination of central and obstructive types.