Snoring could signal sleep apnea, lead to heart failure
Eighteen million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. Are you one of them?
Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder where your breathing is interrupted during sleep - sometimes hundreds of times during the night. This means the brain and the rest of the body may not get enough oxygen. It's a potentially fatal condition affecting one in three men and one in six women.
Because sleep apnea only occurs while you're sleeping, many people aren't aware they have a problem until a bed partner or roommate complains about their snoring.
Anyone is susceptible to sleep apnea, men more so than women, and even athletes are no exception.
Shaq O'Neal was diagnosed with sleep apnea by the Harvard Medical School, and he's dealing with it like he does a basketball - with a winning slam dunk.
If you think you might have sleep apnea, see your doctor. Sleep apnea is treatable with immediate results with positive airway pressure and a strong clinical follow up program provided by home medical equipment companies such as Prism Health Care Services located in Schaumburg, Illinois.
"What people don't realize is that treating obstructive sleep apnea and being compliant with positive airway pressure therapy prevents more than just sleep apnea. It prevents future medical problems from other diseases such as heart failure," said Prism's Respiratory Therapy Manager Gennie Anderson, RRT, CPFT. "Our team of respiratory therapists enjoys the challenge of doing what it takes to make our patients compliant."
If you're envisioning a cumbersome piece of equipment, don't. Treatment can usually be found with the help of a small, lightweight, simple-to-use device that ensures that you don't stop breathing during the night.
It is especially important for people with high blood pressure, diabetes and other conditions to receive treatment. When a person stops breathing during the night, the breathing cessation puts tremendous pressure on the heart, which can lead to heart failure. A CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device opens up the airway so there's no obstruction.
Prism Health Care Services is a medical supply and respiratory equipment company that offers clinical solutions and over-the-counter products for people suffering from sleep apnea and many other home medical equipment products designed to keep you safe in your own home.
<h3 class="breakHead">Diagnosis</h3>
A diagnosis of sleep apnea is based on the Respiratory Distress Index (RDI), which is the number of respiratory disturbances per hour of sleep. An RDI of 0 to 5 is normal; 5 to 20 is mild; 20 to 40 is moderate; and over 40 is severe.
Here is a quick assessment to determine your predisposition for sleep apnea. It is the STOP-BANG Sleep Apnea Questionnaire.
<h3 class="breakHead">STOP (Snore, Tired, Observed, Pressure)</h3>
Do you SNORE loudly?
Do you often feel TIRED, fatigued or sleepy during the day?
Has anyone OBSERVED you stop breathing during your sleep?
Do you have or are you being treated for high blood PRESSURE?
<h3 class="breakHead">BANG (BMI, AGE, NECK, GENDER</h3>
Are you obese or very overweight with a BMI more than 35 kg/m2?
Are you 50 years of AGE or older?
Is your NECK circumference greater than 16 inches?
GENDER: Are you a male?
<h3 class="breakHead">SCORE:</h3>
YES to 0-2: Low Risk of sleep apnea
YES to 3-4: Intermediate Risk of sleep apnea
YES to 5-8: High Risk of sleep apnea
Diagnosis of sleep apnea can be determined by a noninvasive, overnight exam (polysomnography) that allows doctors to monitor your sleep to see what is happening in the brain and body. It may be performed in the comfort of one's home, at the hospital or at an independent facility. It is always best to talk to your doctor if you think you might have a sleep problem.
This story is sponsored by Prism Health Care Services, Inc., 1337 Basswood Road, Schaumburg. Call (800) 493-7200.