Sleep Apnea Evaluation

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea occurs when a person repeatedly stops breathing for short periods of time while they are sleeping. A person with sleep apnea often jerks awake when they start breathing again. Individuals who suffer from sleep apnea often snore or have trouble breathing while they are asleep. Sleep apnea is caused by the airway becoming blocked as a person sleeps. With obstructive sleep apnea, the person's tongue often falls towards the back of the throat obstructing the airway. The airway can also be obstructed by fatty deposits or inflammation caused by a variety of health conditions.

How is it Evaluated?

Doctors evaluate and diagnose sleep apnea through sleep studies and other diagnostic tools that are used to monitor how well they breathe while they are asleep. They can also tell how severe a person's sleep apnea is by monitoring their blood oxygen levels after they wake up. Low blood oxygen levels can lead to a variety of other health problems, including additional stress on the heart and the inability to concentrate during the day. Sleep apnea can also keep a person from reaching the REM cycle during sleep. This can pose an entirely new list of health conditions over and above possible heart problems.

How is Sleep Apnea Treated?

Doctors often treat sleep apnea with CPAP machines. CPAP machines are worn over the mouth and known and force a person to breathe normally while they are asleep. They provide a constant, sustained flow of oxygen that allows a person to maintain a proper respiratory rate. This not only encourages a deeper, more fulfilling sleep, it also provides the body with adequate amounts of oxygen the body needs to function. CPAP machines ensure the person remains breathing at a normal rate no matter how deeply they sleep. Doctors can also perform surgery to remove physical obstructions that can block airways. During the surgery, the doctor can also repair in damage that might inhibit the flow of air in and out of the body.