Obstructive Sleep Apnea-the Silent Sleep Killer

PUNE, India - June 27, 2013 - PRLog -- Obstructive sleep Apnea (OSA) is now becoming the latest disorder to affect the lives of people.  According to a new research there are approximately more than 120 million adults with OSA in India. Children are also at high risk. Majority are undiagnosed and remain untreated. Current research has shown that OSA is a potentially life threatening sleep disordered breathing syndrome with serious adverse effects if not treated , such as increased risk of High blood pressure, Diabetes, Heart attacks, brain strokes, and motor car driving accidents.

Talking about Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Dr. Shripal Shrishrimal - MD(USA) FCCP FACP, an American Board Certified Sleep Specialist and the Director, Keystone Center for Sleep Disorders said, “Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common category of sleep-disordered breathing. The muscle tone of the body ordinarily relaxes during sleep, and at the level of the throat the human airway is composed of collapsible walls of soft tissue which can obstruct breathing during sleep.”  He added, “Mild occasional sleep apnea, such as many people experience during an upper respiratory infection, may not be important, but chronic severe obstructive sleep apnea requires treatment to prevent low blood oxygen (hypoxemia), sleep deprivation, and other complications.”

Talking about the symptoms of the disease he said, “The most common signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea are loud and chronic (ongoing) snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness or tiredness and paused or shallow breathing (noted by the bed partner). Pauses may occur in the snoring. Choking or gasping may follow the pauses. The snoring usually is loudest when you sleep on your back; it might be less noisy when you turn on your side. You might not snore every night. Over time, however, the snoring can happen more often and get louder.”

Obstructive Sleep Apnea can be detected through a simple sleep study test that measures a person’s sleep quality and his body responses to his sleep pattern. This study helps the Doctor identify your sleep problem and its severity. Sleep study is most appropriate tool for diagnosing Sleep Apnea.

For patients diagnosed with OSA, the sleep specialist customises the treatment protocol based on the severity of OSA. The most effective treatment options include Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral dental appliances (made by specialised Dentists) alongwith the right sleep hygiene techniques.”

Signs and symptoms of Sleep Apnea include:

·         Memory or learning problems and not being able to concentrate

·         Feeling irritable, depressed, or having mood swings or personality changes

·         Waking up frequently to urinate

·         Dry mouth or sore throat when you wake up

·         Excessive Daytime Sleepiness / fatigue

·         Snoring

·         Obesity

·         Insomnia

·         Trouble concentrating

·         Depression/Anxiety

·         Increases Heart Pulse

·         Increased Blood Pressure

·         Unexplained weight gain

·         Frequent Heartburn

Complications of undiagnosed and untreated OSA include:

Uncontrolled Hypertension
Heart Failure or other Heart Diseases
Diabetes
Stroke
Weight Gain or Obesity
Depression / Sexual Disorders
Accidents

OSA is present in above complications approx. in the range of 50 – 80%.