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Sleep Apnea Diagnosis & Treatment

Sleep Apnea Diagnosis 

Are you are tired, falling asleep during the day and waking with the feeling that you have not slept well? if you are overweight you may be suffering from sleep apnea. 

Although some people think that loud snoring is the only indication of sleep apnea this isn't true. Snoring does accompany some sleep apnea often, but not always.

If you suspect you have sleep apnea and you have a sleeping partner, ask them if they would be willing to help you. It will involve them staying awake all night while you sleep, but with the promise of quieter nights in the future. Plus possibly saving your life.

With paper and pen, your partner should record the number of times there is a disruption in your breathing. It's easy to tell because you'll either stop breathing, or you'll make gasping, choking or snorting sounds as you attempt to get your breath back. Making notes about your snoring, if any, is also helpful. You can also get a tape recorder and put it on 'Record' while you sleep.

If you think that you do have sleep apnea you must visit your doctor as soon as possible because sleep apnea is dangerous. Your doctor will look for obstructions in the nose and mouth and examine your throat and nose using either an endoscopy or an X-ray. A CT scan of the neck and head is another diagnosis tool.

Should more information be needed, an absolute diagnosis can easily be confirmed by spending a night in a sleep center so that your sleeping pattern can be monitored.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

  1. The most common treatment option is use of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. The machine is attached to a mask with a plastic tube measuring several feet in length. The mask fits over the nose and/or mouth and while you sleep, a continuous supply of pressurized air is forced through the tube, keeping your airway open.
  2. There is also a surgical procedure called UPP that can remove soft tissue from the nose, throat or mouth. This treatment isn't recommended as it has been shown to be ineffective in 90% of people treated for sleep apnea, although it is effective for snoring alone.
  3. The basic UPP treatment for apnea has been improved by adding a procedure that pulls the tongue back from the throat and attaching a small piece of bone from the jaw to prevent the tongue falling back. This treatment sounds horrible but it has a high success rate of 60 to 70 percent.
  4. A more recent treatment has been developed that shrinks the tissue at the back of the throat. This is a simple procedure that is performed under local anesthetic. Its very much less painful than the surgical procedure and unlike CPAP doesn't require you to wear a machine at night.
  5. There is also a newer treatment that shrinks the tissue at the back of the throat rather than cutting it out. This is a simple procedure that is performed under local anesthetic. Its very much less painful than the surgical procedure and unlike CPAP doesn't require you to wear a machine at night. This would be the best treatment to start with.

Whatever you do don't Ignore sleep apnea. If you think you may have it make a doctor's appointment today and get a diagnosis. Sleep apnea left untreated can kill.

Things That Contribute to Sleep Apnea

There are some things you may be dong which contribute to sleep apnea. If any of the following apply then you can immediately start treatment yourself at home. Even losing just 10% of body fat can make a difference.