Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by brief
interruptions of breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea occurs when
the throat muscles and the tongue relax during sleep and partly or
completely block the airway. The level of oxygen falls when the
airway is closed. The fall in oxygen level alerts the brain of the
threat, and the brain arouses the patient from sleep so the airway
can be reopened. This cycle may be repeated dozens of times each
hour during the night, resulting in disrupted, unrefreshing sleep.
The patient may not be aware of the arousals.
Sleep Apnea is a Serious Medical Condition implicated in causing or
worsening
High blood pressure
Heart disease and stroke
Fatigue related accidents
Depression, irritability, and sexual dysfunction
Learning and memory difficulties, and
Problems with anesthesia and prolonged hospitialization
Risk Factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Excess weight
Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
Family history of OSA
Male gender
Older age
Use of alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizers
Signs and Symptoms
The most common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:
Loud snoring
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Observed episodes of breathing cessation during sleep
Abrupt awakenings with shortness of breath
Awakening with dry mouth or sore throat, and
Morning headache
If you are experiencing these symptoms, make an appointment to
discuss these problems with your physician. You may make an
appointment to speak with one of our specialists by calling (859)
258-4NAP.
Click here to take the sleep apnea questionnaire. (pdf format)
What is a Sleep Study?
If your doctor suspects sleep apnea, he/she may recommend a test
called a nocturnal polysomnogram (PSG), which can be performed
overnight at the Lexington Clinic Sleep Center. Treatments for
sleep and breathing disorders such as sleep apnea, including the
administration of CPAP and nocturnal oxygen, are frequently
initiated during a PSG. Your doctor my recommend additional
daytime studies including the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT)
and the maintenance of wakefulness test (MWT) to quantify
sleepiness and diagnose disorders of excessive sleepiness. All of
our tests are performed by highly trained sleep technologists.
What to Expect When You Have a Sleep Study
The sleep technician will apply electrodes to monitor the quality
of your sleep and your sleep complaints. Preparation will consist
of several electrodes being taped and pasted to the skin of the
face and scalp. Brain waves, breathing patterns, heart rhythms,
blood oxygen levels, eye movements, and leg movements will be
recorded. The preparation time will take 30-45 minutes. This is
generally a painless procedure.
