Sleep Apnea Syndrome

What is obstructive sleep apnea syndrome?

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is also called sleep apnea. It is a condition where you stop breathing for 10 seconds or more while you are sleeping. During normal sleep, your throat is kept open by muscles, which let the air pass through easily. During sleep with OSAS, the muscles and tissues around your throat relax and block air from passing through. OSAS may happen many times while you are asleep.

What increases my risk for OSAS?

Your risk for OSAS is increased if:

• You drink alcohol or take medicine to relax you before you sleep.
  
  
• You are obese or have a neck measuring 16 inches (41 centimeters) or more.
  
  
• You smoke.
  
  
• You are a man or a menopausal woman.
  
  
• You have a family member or relative with OSAS.
  
  
• You have certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), or Down syndrome.
  
  
• You have a deviated septum, a large tongue or tonsils, an overbite, or a small chin.

What are the signs and symptoms of OSAS?

You, or the person sleeping beside you, may notice your signs of OSAS. You may have one or more of the following:

• A hard time thinking, remembering things, or focusing on your tasks the following day
  
  
• Headache or nausea
  
  
• Bedwetting or waking up often during the night to pass urine
  
  
• Feeling sleepy, slow, and tired
  
  
• No signs of breathing for 10 seconds or more while you sleep
  
  
• Snoring loudly, snorting, gasping or choking while you sleep, and waking up suddenly because of these

How is OSAS diagnosed?

Your caregiver will ask about you signs and symptoms, when they began, and how bad they are. He may ask about medical conditions you have and what medicines you take. Tell your caregiver if you smoke and whether anyone in your family has OSAS. Your caregiver may also ask the person who sleeps beside you about your signs. You may need any of the following:

• Overnight oximetry: During this test, a device called a pulse oximeter will be used. The device will monitor how much oxygen is in your blood while you sleep. A wire from the device will be attached to your ear, finger, or toe using a clip or sticky tape.
  
  
• Sleep studies: Sleep studies are also called polysomnography. Sleep studies can help caregivers see how your brain, heart, and breathing system are working during sleep. Sleep studies may monitor the stages of sleep, oxygen levels, body position, eye movement, and snoring during sleep.

How is OSAS treated?

• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP): A CPAP machine is used to keep your airway open during sleep. With CPAP you wear a mask over your nose and mouth, or just your nose. The mask is held in place by soft elastic straps that go around your head. The mask is hooked up to the CPAP machine. The machine blows a gentle stream of air into the mask when you breathe. The stream of air helps to keep your airway open so you can breathe more regularly. Extra oxygen may be given to you through the machine also.
  
  
• Mouth devices: Your caregiver may recommend that you wear a device that looks like a mouth guard or dental retainer while you sleep. This device stops your tongue and mouth tissues from blocking your throat.
  
  
• Steroid spray: You spray this medicine into each of your nostrils. Steroid medicines help open your air passages so you can breathe easier. Do not stop taking this medicine without talking to your caregiver. Serious reactions can occur if you stop using steroids suddenly.
  
  
• Surgery: Your caregiver may remove extra tissues that block your mouth, throat, or nose.

How can I prevent OSAS or manage my symptoms?

You can prevent OSAS or stop OSAS from getting worse by doing the following:

• Avoid alcohol or sedative medicine before you sleep: This will help stop the muscles and tissues around your throat from relaxing and blocking the airflow to your lungs.
  
  
• Lose weight: The size of tissues around your throat may decrease if you lose weight. This may help widen your air passages and let air pass more easily . Ask your caregiver how you can reach and maintain an ideal weight.
  
  
• Sleep on your side or use pillows designed to prevent OSAS: This prevents your tongue or other tissues from blocking your throat. You can also try raising the head of your bed.

What are the risks of OSAS?

• Treatment for OSAS may make your nose bleed or run. Your mouth, nose, and throat may feel dry. Your stomach may feel bloated and you may burp often. The CPAP or mouth device may feel uncomfortable. If you have surgery, you may bleed more than expected or get an infection. Nerves and tissues in your mouth may get damaged during surgery. Your OSAS may come back after treatment.
  
  
• Without treatment, you may feel sleepy and tired. Because of this, you may have an increased risk of accidents when you drive. You may have a hard time focusing on tasks, thinking, learning, and remembering things. You can have problems with your blood sugar levels and develop diabetes. You have an increased risk of high blood pressure and heart problems. You may have irregular heartbeats and feel pain in your chest at night. You may have a life-threatening heart attack or stroke.

When should I call my caregiver?

Call your caregiver if:

• You feel very tired or depressed.
  
  
• You have trouble staying awake during the day.
  
  
• You have trouble thinking and remembering things.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

When should I seek immediate care?

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• You have chest pain or trouble breathing.
  
  

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Copyright © 2012. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Sleep Apnea Syndrome