Sleep Apnea – Flashcards

- Sleep apnea is a condition in which an individual stops breathing while asleep, causing a measurable decrease in blood oxygen levels.

- There are two main kinds of sleep apnea: obstructive and central.

- Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by a blockage in the air passage that occurs when the muscles that keep the airway open relax and allow the tongue and palate to block the airway.

- Central sleep apnea is caused by a disorder in the respiratory control center of the brain.

- The condition is more common in men. Factors such as obesity, hypertension, smoking, alcohol ingestion, and/or the use of sedatives may increase the severity.

- Sleep apnea is diagnosed when more than 5 periods of apnea lasting at least 10 seconds each occur during 1 hour of sleep.

- The periods of apnea reduce the blood oxygen level.

- This causes the brain to awaken the individual, who then gasps for air and snores loudly.

- This interruption of the sleep cycle leads to excessive tiredness and drowsiness during the day.

- Treatment involves losing weight, abstaining from smoking and the use of alcohol or sedatives, and sleeping on the side or stomach.

- An oral appliance or mouth piece designed to maintain airway patency may be helpful if worn while sleeping.

- In more severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea, a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP (pronounced see-pap), is used to deliver pressure to the airway to keep the airway open while the individual sleeps .

- The CPAP consists of a mask that is fit securely against the face.

- Tubing connects the mask with a blower device that can be adjusted to deliver air at different levels of pressure.

- If other treatments are ineffective, a maxillomandibular advancement surgery (MMA) may be performed to move the jaw forward.

- The obstructing tissue may be surgically removed by uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP).

- In severe life-threatening cases, a tracheostomy (surgical opening in the neck) must be performed.

- Treatment of central sleep apnea usually involves the use of medications to stimulate breathing.