- Details
- Hits: 158
Sleep Apnea
Have you ever heard of the term Sleep Apnea and wondered what it meant? Sleep Apnea is a condition where your throat becomes blocked while you are sleeping, leading to short periods of time where you actually stop breathing. In order to breathe, you will awaken abruptly repeatedly through the night. When one suffers from sleep apnea, he or she doesn’t usually realize that he or she has sleep apnea. Oftentimes the individual will snore during the night and may awaken feeling short of breath. Most victims suffer from insomnia (difficulty staying asleep), feeling very sleepy during the day and have problems concentrating or focusing. He or she may fall asleep frequently during the day without intending to. And will feel tired even after a full night’s sleep. Because of the lack of sleep, the person may also be irritable and short tempered.
If you find that you or a loved one is experiencing many of the symptoms above, be sure to make an appointment to notify your medical provider. Keep in mind that most people with obstructive sleep apnea are not aware that their sleep pattern is being interrupted. Your provider will evaluate you for the risk factors of sleep apnea. If needed, they will prescribe a sleep study to actually monitor your sleep patterns while you are sleeping.
Some of the risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea include: Being overweight, having a large neck, having a narrowed airway, having nasal congestion, having high blood pressure or diabetes, being male, being an older adult, being post menopausal, having a history of smoking, a history of alcohol, sedative or tranquilizer use, a history of heart conditions such as congestive heart failure or atrial fibrillation or history of a stroke or brain tumor. Some people that have a history of opioid use (such as vicodin, morphine or codeine) are also at risk of developing sleep apnea.
If you or a loved one is experiencing the symptoms above, schedule an appointment with your medical provider right away. Ask your spouse or partner who has seen you sleeping to come to the appointment with you. Write down the symptoms you have been experiencing and bring that information to the appointment as well. Also bring a list of all the current medications you are taking or a list of any major stresses or life changes you have recently experienced.
And remember, there is treatment for sleep apnea that can help you to really return to getting a “good night’s sleep” and feeling energized once again.
Jenise Ervin RN, MSN, Director of Public Health, Park Forest Health Department