Do You Have Sleep Apnea ?

If you have a habit of snoring, you may have sleep apnea. If this sounds like you, it is best to consult a doctor to diagnose this condition. A physical exam will help determine whether you have sleep apnea and can detect conditions that increase your risk of developing the disease. The size of your tonsils and neck circumference are among the factors that may indicate the presence of sleep apnea. Also, your tongue and jaw position should be checked. These are the typical problems associated with sleep apnea.

Symptoms

Your child may have frequent infections, such as tonsils or adenoids. Other possible symptoms of sleep apnea in children include hyperactivity, trouble paying attention in school, or bedwetting. Ultimately, a doctor should evaluate your child to rule out any other medical issues. However, a diagnosis isn't possible until your child has undergone a sleep study. In the meantime, you can take measures to determine whether your child is suffering from sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by a blockage or narrowed airway, which results in pauses in breathing during sleep. When you sleep, the muscles in your throat relax, keeping your airway open. As you close your airway, the forces can no longer signal your muscles to breathe correctly, so your breathing can stop for a few seconds or minutes. If you snore, you might have obstructive sleep apnea. This can lead to a sore throat and headaches during the day.

Causes

While there are several different causes of OSA, the main culprit is an obstruction in the airway. Many factors may cause an airway to become narrow; the most common is a large tongue. Other factors may include nasal conditions, a thick neck, and a tendency to sleep on the back. Sleeping on the back can cause these airway restrictions, resulting in an episode of sleep apnea.

The symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring that can be extremely loud. The soft tissue in the throat vibrates when air passes through it, blocking the airway and preventing the person from breathing. If the person doesn't have a reliable apnea treatment option, they may develop an underlying condition affecting their overall health.

Treatments

There are a variety of effective treatments for sleep apnea available today. Non-surgical options include SNMP therapy, nasal expiratory positive airway pressure, oral pressure devices, and DNA appliances. Sleep studies are required to determine the cause of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft palate or another part of the mouth collapses during sleep, obstructing the airway.

Surgical treatments are also available for the disorder. The most common surgical option involves the removal of the tonsils, adenoids, and soft tissues inside the mouth and throat. Some surgical procedures may include putting plastic rods through the soft palate or jawbone. Surgery may not be appropriate for everyone, though. It is essential to see a qualified medical doctor before undergoing any surgical procedure. While there are several options available for sleep apnea, surgical procedures are only an option for patients who have tried non-surgical treatments.

Diagnosis

Using a self-report questionnaire can aid in the diagnosis of sleep apnea. The Berlin Questionnaire and the Multivariable Apnea Prediction Index are the most common self-report questionnaires used in clinical research. However, there is still limited evidence regarding the diagnostic accuracy of these tools in individual patients. Therefore, it is essential to seek the advice of a sleep expert.

In the presence of suspicion, continuous recording of the SaO2 during sleep is essential in determining the presence or absence of OSA. Continuous recording of SaO2 during sleep is convenient and may be sufficient for severe cases. In addition, it is suitable for ambulatory assessment and has been used in several studies. Although oxygen desaturation is common in obstructive apnea, it may be absent in patients with hypopneas or events associated with increased upper airway resistance. However, in nonobese patients, oxygen desaturation is likely minimal. Furthermore, oximetry is not as valuable as continuous recording during sleep for mild cases of OSAS and cannot confidently exclude a diagnosis.