Sleep Apnea and Sleep Disordered Breathing

What is Sleep Disordered Breathing?

The American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry (AAPMD) definition refers to all conditions that are a result of altered breathing during sleep, including sleep apnea, upper airway resistance syndrome, and snoring. The National Institute of Health estimates that 12 million Americans potentially suffer from sleep apnea. Snoring and mouth breathing at night can be early warning signs of sleep disordered breathing. Both should be addressed because they lead to daytime fatigue. If the mouth is open at night, the tongue is not in the correct position and is likely to fall into the airway. Primary snoring or simple snoring, is considered to be benign, but is still a symptom of sleep disordered breathing (SDB). Snoring caused by Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is considered to be more serious. This can be seen in children and adults.

Types of Sleep Disordered Breathing:

Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome

Upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) is characterized by narrowing of the airway that can cause a disruption to sleep. The airway isn’t obstructed, but there is something happening during sleep that makes breathing more difficult. This can include snoring, allergies, asthma, deviated septum or inflammation and swelling in the upper airway from illness. This normally doesn’t show up on regular sleep studies and often goes undetected. Patients suffering with UARS generally suffer from day time sleepiness, fatigue, snoring and a hard time staying asleep. This affects fit women in their 30’s.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea in Adults

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic condition where the muscles of the mouth and throat area relax during sleep. This causes a blockage in the airway, resulting in a pause or stop in breathing. This can be a hundred times in a night lasting from a couple of seconds up to a minute without breathing. This in turn decreases oxygen throughout the cells of the body. Generally this leads to brief awakenings throughout the night, creating non ideal sleep. Common signs of OSA are stopping of breathing, snoring, choking and gasping for air. This is more common in men. Excess body weight, narrow airway and jaw are all risk factors.

Symptoms of sleep apnea in adults include:

  • Headaches

  • Poor concentration

  • Loss of libido

  • Daytime sleepiness

  • Falling asleep during the day

  • Mouth breathing

  • Memory loss or feeling foggy minded

Sleep Apnea In Children

Sleep apnea and other sleep disordered breathing conditions can have serious health implications in children. Signs of this can include mouth breathing, snoring, grinding of the teeth, large tonsils and adenoids and childhood obesity. Many children who have disturbed sleep manifest their sleepiness with hyperactivity and inability to focus. Snoring may be related to obstructive sleep apnea or upper airway resistance syndrome, but in both cases hyperactivity and lack of attention span are present in both cases.

Symptoms of sleep apnea in children include:

  • ADD or ADHD

  • Bed wetting

  • Sleep walking

  • Night Terrors

  • Slowed growth

  • Loss or lack of appetite

  • Sweating at night

  • Napping in older children

  • Mouth breathing

  • Hormonal and metabolic problems

  • Failure to thrive

 Why Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Not only will treating OSA increase quality of life, it is crucial to overall health. Untreated OSA puts you at high risk for serious health conditions.

OSA can increase your risk of:

  • High blood pressure

  • Stroke

  • Heart disease

  • Diabetes

  • Acid reflux

  • Erectile dysfunction

  • Severe and untreated can lead to death