| The Sleep Laboratory of Asian Hospital and Medical Center provides treatment geared towards reducing socially unacceptable snoring to obstructive sleep apnea. |
What is Sleep Apnea? |
Sleep apnea is a treatable disorder wherein a person stops breathing during sleep. It is a common complaint that affects millions of men, women and children but is often undiagnosed despite its potentially life-threatening effects. |
Apnea is a Greek word meaning “without breath.” People with apnea literally stop breathing in their sleep. Apnea occurs when breathing ceases for at least 10 seconds for adults or an equivalent of 2 ½ missed breaths for children. With each apnea, the oxygen level in the bloodstream typically drops. |
There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central and mixed (a combination of obstructive and central). Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common. |
How does sleep apnea interfere with breathing? |
As a person falls asleep all the muscles of the body relax. This includes the soft tissues at the rear of the throat surrounding the airway. As this area becomes more flaccid, the tissues collapse into the space meant for air to pass through. The collapse may be severe enough to impede airflow or even shut it off completely. As a result, sleep apnea sufferers stop breathing repeatedly during sleep, as frequently as a hundred times an hour and often for a minute or longer. |
With each apnea, the brain receives a signal to awaken the person so that he or she can resume breathing, often making a snorting, choking or gasping sound. Because this pattern of apnea and awakenings occurs repeatedly all night long, it impairs a person’s ability to reach deep, restful phases of sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea are often unaware of the awakenings but only of being sleepy during the day. |
I snore. Does this mean I have sleep apnea? |
Snoring is produced when air passes through a narrowed airway. It is the most common symptom of sleep apnea. Loud, heavy snoring, punctuated with periods of silence (the apneas), is typical. Although not all people who snore will have sleep apnea, it may be worthwhile to seek consult when it is accompanied by daytime fatigue. |
What are the negative health effects of sleep apnea? |
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases. |
| Other consequences of untreated sleep apnea include:
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- Falling asleep inappropriately
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- Reflux (backward flow of stomach acid through the esophagus to the mouth)
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- Increased risk for vehicular accidents
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- Nocturia (frequent urge to urinate at night)
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- Impairment of memory, concentration and work-related performance
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Who are at risk for sleep apnea? |
Other consequences of untreated sleep apnea include: |
- A family history of sleep apnea
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- Abnormalities in the structure of the upper airway
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- Smoking and alcohol intake
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However, sleep apnea can affect both males and females of all ages and of any weight. |
How does sleep apnea interfere with breathing? |
Your physician will usually make an evaluation based on your signs and symptoms. He or she will conduct a thorough interview to find out your lifestyle, activities during the day, and how you cope with the demands of daily living, among others. |
To locate narrowed areas in your airway (usually behind the palate), an endoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a light and lens on the end) may be used to evaluate airway patency. |
The gold standard in diagnosing sleep apnea is the sleep study (polysomnograph), which is usually done at night. The sleep study monitors your level of sleep, breathing and heart rate patterns, and oxygen level. A microphone records snoring sounds while sensors monitor movement. All data are recorded in a computer for analysis.
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How is sleep apnea treated? |
Treatment depends on the cause/s of airway blockage, age of the patient, and result of the sleep study. |
Asian Hospital and Medical Center offers a comprehensive range of diagnostic tools and treatment procedures to help sleep apnea sufferers. The hospital’s highly qualified physicians and state-of-the-art medical facilities guarantee that patients receive the best possible care. |
If you feel you or a loved one has bothersome snoring or possibly sleep apnea, timely consult and treatment may avert quality of life and health consequences.
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For inquiries please call: |
THE SLEEP LABORATORY
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| PULMONARY SERVICES |
| (Lower Ground Floor)
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| Telephone No. (+632) 771-9000 to 9002
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| Extension 8094
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| E-mail: info@asianhospital.com |
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