Don’t sleep on your sleep apnea.
It is no secret that we tend to neglect our sleep and the conditions that relate to it. We get checked for headaches, for various pain, but seldom do we seek consult because we cannot sleep properly, or we have sleep-related complications.
The Medical City Clark’s sleep specialists highlight the importance of a good rest to avoid disorders whenever we slumber. Contrary to popular belief, it is not true that adults can settle for lesser hours of sleep because we still need 7 to 8 hours of sleep. If we fail to complete this recommended amount of sleep, there is what we call the sleep debt, and like any debt, we need to repay our bodies that rest the next day so we can be recharged.
It is one thing if we lack sleep, but another if we have a sleep disorder. One of the sleep disorders among all ages and genders is snoring, or Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). It is the most common form of sleep-disordered breathing which results from the closure of the upper airway during sleep.
Snoring is considered normal and not bad, but heavy snoring is worrisome and will need special health attention.
If you have the following symptoms, then you may be a candidate for sleep apnea.
SYMPTOMS:
- Heavy Snoring
- Witnessed apneas or gasping and choking sensations that arouse the patient from sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Sudden awakening with choking
- Accidents related to sleepiness
- Poor memory/concentration
- Delirium
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Mood/personality changes
- Night sweats
- Restlessness
- Restlessness during sleeping
- Enuresis or bed-wetting (uncommon)
- Dry mouth on awakening
- Nocturnal or a morning headache
- Impotence
- Nocturnal epilepsy
Aside from the apparent indicators of snoring, there are obvious signs that specialists may notice physically in individuals that may have OSA. The texture and length of the soft palate and uvula, and the obstructions in the nasal passages can be signs associated with sleep apnea.
Sudden drops in blood oxygen levels that occur during sleep apnea increase blood pressure and strain the cardiovascular system. Hypertension and other cardiovascular consequences are also linked to having obstructive sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition. If left untreated, serious potential consequences can occur, including complications of other organ systems.
COMPLICATIONS
- Hypertension
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Depression
- Congestive heart failure
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Irregularity in the heart rate
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Traffic and industrial accidents
- Overall mortality
DIAGNOSIS
At The Medical City Clark, we advocate for our patient partners’ overall wellness. Snoring or being suspected of sleep apnea can disrupt your good rest, so we offer the most accurate diagnosis and the best treatment so you can finally doze off peacefully to sleeplandia.
Polysomnography, an overnight sleep test performed in our sleep laboratory provides the most accurate diagnosis for OSA. According to our specialists, it is like a hotel-like experience except that your heart, lung, brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels will be monitored while you sleep.
After diagnosis and when you are identified with OSA, there is no need to worry, because it is the beginning of the exciting part for you and your loved ones who are also affected by your sleep disorder. There are numerous ways available at the hospital to manage your snoring.
TREATMENT
The most common type of treatment is called continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP. It is a machine used at least 4 hours per night to maximize its benefit. Like its name, the machine allows continuous and constant pressure of the air breathed, which is just enough to keep your upper airway passages open. This air pressure prevents obstructive sleep apnea and snoring.
An oral appliance for the jaw or mandibular advancement may also be recommended for mild OSA. Other types of surgeries may help reduce snoring and sleep apnea by clearing or enlarging air passages, including upper airway surgery. Meanwhile, positional therapy can be performed if the snoring is caused by faulty sleeping positions.
The Medical City Clark’s multidisciplinary team of specialists will take care of you by giving a comprehensive diagnosis using our state-of-the-art sleep laboratory and providing you with extensive treatment options that fit your needs and lifestyle.
We all desire a quality life. And a quality life may be achieved if we maintain good physical and mental health which is possible if we have adequate rest and outstanding quality of sleep. The proper management of sleep apnea will give a better quality of life, not just for ourselves, but for the people we love.
For a deeper understanding of sleep apnea, here’s a recap of our Pulmonologist and Sleep Medicine Specialist, Dr. Karen Anne Bispo’s informative webinar on OSA.
