Sleep Apnea

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What Is Sleep Apnea?

Snoring, Sleep Disordered Breathing and Sleep Apnea

‘Apnea’ literally means ‘the absence of breathing’ and this is in fact what happens when one sleeps and has this medical condition. When we are awake there is a tone in our upper airways and we have no problem sucking in the oxygen-rich Hermanus air.

The problem arises when we are in a relaxed sleeping state. Our upper airways may collapse and we have apnea events (no airflow is measured at the nose or mouth)  which can last minutes! Try holding your breath for 2 minutes whilst awake? 

Also, because of the obstruction, we tend to repeatedly wake up for a few seconds depriving our bodies of the deep dreaming sleep which is essential for normal functioning. The net effect is therefore poor quality sleep and reduced oxygen supply to all our vital (and non-vital) organs.

Could this be me?

The symptoms are sometimes obvious with daytime somnolence and even falling asleep whilst driving report. More subtle symptoms are morning headaches, depression, malaise and forgetfulness

More subtle symptoms are morning headaches, depression, malaise and forgetfulness

What are the dangers of Sleep Apnoea?

Sleep apnea will have adverse effects on the brain, heart, lungs and hormone systems. 

People most at risk for this problem are usually overweight (but not always so) with the weight distribution especially in the neck area. Sometimes snoring may be also prevalent but one may have severe apnea without snoring at all. One may also snore without the presence of sleep apnea.

How is Sleep Apnoea diagnosed?

Sleep apnoea will adversely effect the brain, heart, lungs and hormone systems

The diagnosis is made by means of a sleep study which gives information on the number of apnea events and the degree to which the level of oxygen in the blood falls while this breath holding occurs.

So if this is my problem all I have to do is lose weight you may think? This is however not so easy. There is a viscous cycle working against all good intentions here, with weight gain, poor motivation, increased nibbling and decreased physical activity an all too common phenomenon.

A good night’s sleep with decent oxygen levels in the blood, is a better diet than any which can be prescribed. Importantly, treatment of sleep apnoea is mandatory in anyone with Type 2 diabetes.

How is Sleep Apnea managed?

A thorough history and examination of your upper airways is required to exclude a surgically correctable cause of the obstruction. The management of the condition has evolved over the last 10 years with the recognition that any surgical options should be more carefully selected because of the advancement in technology of continuous positive airway (CPAP) machines.

The mainstay of medical treatment is to prescribe (CPAP), a highly specialized machine which is attached to a mask which fits over the nose and occasionally also the mouth. The machine detects when the airflow is obstructed and increases the pressure of the air flowing through the nose which in effect opens up the airways. This sounds like it could be a bit of a passion killer and that you might think you are waking up next to Darth Vader but it’s a small price to pay for an optimal functioning body on the way to better health.

Could This Be Me? 

Could I have Sleep Apnea?

The symptoms are sometimes obvious with daytime somnolence and reportedly even cause falling asleep whilst driving.

More subtle symptoms are morning headaches, depression, malaise and forgetfulness.

Sleep apnea will have adverse effects on the brain, heart, lungs and hormone systems.

People most at risk for this problem are usually overweight (but not always so) with the weight distribution especially in the neck area. Sometimes snoring may be also prevalent but one may have severe apnea without snoring at all. One may also snore without the presence of sleep apnea.

Complications of Sleep Apnea

• FATIQUE
• DIABETES
• DROWSINESS
• HYPERTENSION
• IMPOTENCE
• OBESITY
• HEART ATTACK
• ARRHYTHMIA
• HEADACHE
• MEMORY LOSS
• LUNG HYPERTENSION
• STROKE