By Don Bergman

U.S. Fatigue Countermeasures Coordinator

Is this you?

Do you snore loudly and habitually?

Do you feel tired when you wake up?

Do you find yourself sleepy during waking hours?

Are you overweight?

Have you ever been told that you choke, gasp or hold your breath during sleep?

If you or someone close to you can answer yes to any of the above questions you may have a sleep disorder called Sleep Apnea.

Sleep Apnea was first described in 1965 as a breathing disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. Generally speaking, it prohibits an individual from breathing and sleeping at the same time. "Apnea" is a Greek word meaning "want of breath." Here are some facts about sleep apnea:

• Sleep Apnea occurs when air cannot flow into or out of the person's nose or mouth although effort to breathe continues.
• In a given night 20 to 60 or even more breathing interruptions may occur per hour.
• Breathing interruptions cause low levels of oxygen and high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. The low oxygen and high carbon dioxide alerts the brain to resume breathing which often results in a loud gasp or snore.
• When sleep is disrupted in this manner it prevents the body from attaining the deep, recuperative and restorative sleep that will be needed to sustain the person throughout the next day's activities.
• People most likely to have or develop sleep apnea include those who snore loudly and also are overweight or have high blood pressure, or have a physical abnormality in the nose, throat or other parts of the upper airway.
• Ingestion of alcohol and sleeping pills increases the frequency and duration of breathing pauses in people with Sleep Apnea.
• The consequences of Sleep Apnea range from annoying to life-threatening. They include symptoms suggesting depression, irritability, sexual dysfunction, learning and memory difficulties and falling asleep while at work, on the phone or driving.
• It has been estimated that up to 50% of Sleep Apnea patients have high blood pressure and have an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Males with a neck size of 17 inches or greater and females with a neck size of 16 inches or greater are more likely to have Sleep Apnea because of the increase in tissue in the air passage.

If you suspect that you have some of the symptoms of Sleep Apnea you are encouraged to see a doctor about your symptoms. But first, you need to check with your insurance carrier before making any appointment. You may be required to get a referral to a sleep specialist from your primary care physician. Evaluation and testing can be accomplished in a sleep center or in some cases in your own home. Don't be discouraged if your primary care physician attempts to give you sleeping pills and send you home. If you believe you have the symptoms of Sleep Apnea that were outlined here insist on seeing a sleep specialist.

You should feel free to ask any doctor about his or her credentials and experience. You should also be satisfied with the explanations of what sleep apnea is and how it is diagnosed and treated in your particular case.

Three avenues are available to the patient with Sleep Apnea:

1. Behavioral Therapy

• avoid tobacco, alcohol and sleeping pills;
• 10% weight loss may reduce the number of sleep disruptions;
• some patients only have Sleep Apnea symptoms when they sleep on their backs.

2. Physical or Mechanical Therapy

• nasal "continuous positive airway pressure" (CPAP) is the most common effective treatment ... the patient wears a soft mask over the nose during sleep;
• dental appliances that reposition the lower jaw and the tongue have been helpful in keeping the air passage open.

3. Surgery

• several procedures that need a medical explanation and evaluation.

You also should check with the Department of Transportation in your state about their position on Sleep Apnea. Some states are attempting to restrict driving privileges if an individual refuses to be treated once diagnosed with Sleep Apnea... a word to the wise.

If you feel you would like more information on Sleep Apnea you are encouraged to contact the three organizations whose information was used in this article. They are:

National Center on Sleep Disorders Research

Two Rockledge Center

Suite 7024

6701 Rockledge Dr. MSC 7920

Bethesda, MD 20892-7929

(301) 435-0199

 

American Sleep Apnea Association

1424 "K" St., N.W.

Suite 302

Washington, DC 20005

(202) 293-3650

www.sleepapnea.org

 

National Sleep Foundation

1522 "K" St., N.W.

Suite 510

Washington, DC 20005

www.sleepfoundation.org

Please don't take Sleep Apnea lightly. Many persons who suffer the symptoms of Sleep Apnea have received treatment and in the majority of cases those persons will testify that their treatment has made a significant change in their life. Ask around and you'll probably find someone who has Sleep Apnea, has been treated and will end up preaching to you about the benefits of getting medical attention... and your sleeping partner will thank you. ·

© 2000 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers