Sleep Apnea
WHAT
IS SLEEP APNEA SYNDROME?
Normal sleep is
associated with a regular breathing
pattern.
In sleep apnea
syndrome, when a person sleeps, there is relaxation of the neck muscles. This
results in the narrowing of air passages in the throat. This causes
snoring. If the narrowing is severe,
there is a complete collapse of the air passages and cessation of breathing
(apnea). Each of these episodes is
associated with decrease in oxygen levels in the blood and disruption in the
normal sleep pattern. Some patients have several hundred of these episodes
every night without being aware of them. Over time lack of adequate sleep and
low oxygen levels have serious health consequences.
Weakness, tiredness,
and lack of energy
during daytime
Sleepiness during daytime
High blood pressure.
Snoring
Family members may have noted apneic episodes while patient sleeps
Morning headaches
Personality changes and mood swings
HEALTH
CONSEQUENCES OF SLEEP APNEA
Motor Vehicle Accidents:
Excessive sleepiness may cause one to doze off while driving and get in to an
accident. To be alert while driving is
especially important in certain jobs like school bus drivers, truck drivers,
taxicab drivers etc.
Stroke
Heart
attacks
Heart Irregularities
Hypertension
Sudden
death at a young age
HOW IS THE DIAGNOSIS MADE ?
1. Home
Screening: The application of an
oxygen saturation monitor, Nasal air Flow and chest movement detector during sleep may detect sleep apnea syndrome.
2. Sleep
study : While you sleep, specially
made monitoring devices record heart rate, movements of the chest, airflow and
oxygen levels. This information is then analyzed by computer and a determination
is made by our trained technicians and physicians as to the presence and
severity of sleep apnea syndrome.
Sleep
apnea is fortunately a correctable disorder. Most often it is treated by
application of a nose mask while sleeping.
Through a small and quiet compressor air is forced through the mask.
This keeps air passages open, relieves sleep disruptions and maintains adequate
oxygen level in the blood.
Our
trained office staff will work with your insurance company to get pre-approval
and expedite claims processing.