Disease that happens during sleep, in the form of shallow breathing (hypoapnoeas) or even breathing stops (apnoeas) that cause hyperventilation due to an obstruction of the upper airway. Oxygen levels drop and carbon dioxide levels increase causing a short awakening and a strong snore prior to recovering the normal breathing.
The majority of patients with this symptomatology present overweight.
It manifests during daytime drowsiness, poor memory and attention span, changes in mood, headaches. Chronic fatigue can be favoured by it. The lack of oxygen may trigger other underlying problems.
A suspected diagnosis is established by interviewing the patient and their relatives but this must be confirmed by conducting a sleep study at the hospital.
It is advisable to lose weight if necessary, sleep on your side, quit smoking, and avoid large meals before going to bed. If it persists, a machine that pumps pressurised air into your lungs to prevent airway obstruction may be necessary.
- Kingman P Strohl. Overview of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. UpToDate. Jun 24, 2016.
- Epstein LJ, Kristo D, Strollo PJ Jr, et al. Clinical guideline for the evaluation, management and long-term care of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. J Clin Sleep Med 2009; 5:263.
- Young T, Skatrud J, Peppard PE. Risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea in adults. JAMA 2004; 291:2013.
- Young T, Palta M, Dempsey J, et al. Burden of sleep apnea: rationale, design, and major findings of the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort study. WMJ 2009; 108:246.
- Lewis R Kline. Clinical presentation and diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. UpToDate. Sep 29, 2016.
- Meir H Kryger, Atul Malhotra. Management of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. UpToDate. Oct 07, 2016.
