Sleeping Disorders

While it is possible to use questionnaires and visual evaluation to screen for suspected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the primary method for diagnosing OSA at present is to have the patient undergo an overnight sleep study, known as polysomnography (PSG). This study measures and records a number of different physiologic variables during sleep such as airflow, oxygen levels, brain activity and respiratory effort.

Once diagnosed, several treatment options exist for dealing with OSA:

Common signs of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) include unexplained daytime sleepiness, restless sleep, and loud snoring (with periods of silence followed by gasps).

Less common symptoms of sleep apnea are:

• morning headaches
• insomnia
• trouble concentrating
• mood changes such as irratibility, anxiety and depression
• forgetfulness
• increased heart rate and/or blood pressure
• decreased sex drive
• unexplained weight gain
• changes in urination

When you have obstructive sleep apnea, your throat collapses during sleep, blocking the airway and preventing air from getting to the lungs. Generally, your throat muscles keep the throat and airway open. The site of obstruction in most patients is the soft palate, extending to the region at the base of the tongue. There are no rigid structures, such as cartilage or bone, in this area to hold the airway open. During the day, muscles in the region keep the passage wide open.

When you have obstructive sleep apnea, your throat collapses during sleep, blocking the airway and preventing air from getting to the lungs. Generally, your throat muscles keep the throat and airway open. The site of obstruction in most patients is the soft palate, extending to the region at the base of the tongue. There are no rigid structures, such as cartilage or bone, in this area to hold the airway open. During the day, muscles in the region keep the passage wide open.