From SleepQuest:
Overview of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Approximately 30 million Americans are victims of a sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea. Many millions more are predisposed and have a high risk of developing the illness. If you are an adult male, the odds are about 50/50 that your breathing is not normal when you are sleeping. (I am not an adult male).
It is imperative that anyone who might have this problem or is predisposed, or knows someone they care about who has the problem, should have the clearest possible understanding about it.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
People with OSA experience recurrent episodes during sleep when their throat closes and they cannot suck air into their lungs (apnea). (this is really scary by the way)This happens because the muscles that normally hold the throat open during wakefulness relax during sleep and allow it to narrow. When the throat is partially closed and/or the muscles relax too much, trying to inhale will suck the throat completely closed and air cannot pass at all. This is an obstructive sleep apnea episode.
Obstructive apnea episodes can last as long as two minutes and are almost always associated with a reduction in the level of oxygen in the blood. When an individual is in the midst of an obstructive sleep apnea episode, as long as sleep continues, the apnea continues. It is only terminated and the victim's life is saved by waking up. This arousal instantly increases the activity of the muscles of the tongue and throat muscles that enlarge the airway. The victim will be able to breathe and to once again fill the lungs with life-giving oxygen. This cycle may be repeated hundreds of times a night while the sufferer has no idea it is happening.
What are the cardinal symptoms?
Fatigue and tiredness during the day (I'm always limp as a dishrag).
Loud snoring; (like a freight train, in my case) if the loud snoring is repeatedly punctuated by brief periods of silence or choking sounds(yep), the individual is certain to have obstructive sleep apnea.
Other common features are:
Obesity (check)
Small jaw, thick neck (nope)
High blood pressure (nope)
Restless sleep; the repeated struggle to breath can be associated with a great deal of movement. (yep)
Depressed mood and/or irritability (always)Reduced sex drive (not me) and impotence (ha ha) Snorting, gasping, choking during sleep (scary)
Not as commonly reported but may be present:
Feeling that sleep is strangely unrefreshing (kinda like a root canal).
Difficulty concentrating (attention span and memory of an 80 year old).
A dry mouth upon awakening (I slobber).
Excessive perspiration during sleep (sometimes, this is because your heart doesn't get enough oxygen and it starts beating really fast cause it's working hard).
Heartburn (often)
Rapid weight gain (yep, rub the Buddha for good luck).
Morning headaches (yes).
Change in personality (yes).
Memory lapses (no short term memory).
Intellectual deterioration (true).
Frequent nocturnal urination (nocturia) (no).
Confusion and severe grogginess upon awakening (add crabbiness too).
How serious is OSA?
Depending on the degree of severity, OSA is a potentially life-threatening condition. Someone who has undiagnosed severe obstructive sleep apnea is likely to have a heart attack, a stroke, cardiac arrest during sleep, or a harmful accident. In addition, awakening to breathe hundreds of times in a single night causes the victim to become very sleep deprived. There is a constant risk of serious accidents such as falling asleep while driving as well as impaired function in the workplace and in personal relationships. All of the negative consequences of OSA increase as severity increases. Untreated OSA tends to progressively worsen and sooner or later will result in partial or complete disability and death.
My other disorder: Rare.
Now for the absolutely terrifying:
What are Sleep Terrors?
Sleep Terrors are characterized by a sudden arousal from slow wave sleep with a piercing scream or cry, accompanied by autonomic (Controlled by the part of the nervous system that regulates motor functions of the heart, lungs, etc.) and behavioral manifestations of intense fear. Also known as Pavor Nocturnus, incubus, severe autonomic discharge, night terror.
What are the symptoms of Sleep Terrors?
A sudden episode of intense terror during sleep
The episodes usually occur within the first third of the night
Partial or total amnesia occurs for the events during the episode.
Associated features include:
Polysomnographic monitoring demonstrates the onset of episodes during stage 3 or 4 sleep
Tachycardia usually occurs in association with the episodes.
Other medical disorders are not the cause of the episode, e.g., epilepsy
Other sleep disorders can be present, e.g., nightmares.
How serious are Sleep Terrors?
Some people have episodes of sleep terror that may occur less than once per month, and do not result in harm to the patient or others. While some people experience episodes less than once per week, and do not result in harm to the patient or others. In its severest form, the episodes occur almost nightly, or are associated with physical injury to the patient or others. Consult a sleep specialist if you are concerned.
2:40 p.m. - 2003-05-07
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