Obstructive Sleep Apnea Essay -- Disease, Disorders

In this day and age, nearly everyone has heard the term â€Å"Sleep Apnea† in one place or another, whether it was on the news, from a friend or relative, or perhaps from their very own physician. What is sleep apnea? Who is at risk for developing sleep apnea? Are there specific signs or symptoms to look for? How is sleep apnea diagnosed? Can it be treated? What additional health problems can be caused if the disorder is untreated? All of these are vital questions. Most people have encountered sleep apnea, but many do not know the answers to these important questions, and knowing these answers may help save their own life or the life of a loved one. Sleep apnea syndrome is a sleeping disorder marked by repetitive episodes of cessation of breathing, 10 seconds or longer, during sleep. During this time, the individual's oxygen level drops, resulting in hypoxemia and sleep disruption. (Bencosme, RDH, MA & Castellanos, RDH, MA, 2011) There is more than one type of sleep apnea, but the most common type is Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or O.S.A. This is a result of relaxation of the soft tissues around the airway in the rear portion of the throat, which block the passage of air, causing obstruction. The cessation of breathing throughout the night disrupts sleep and causes wakeful episodes, as many as hundreds per hour of sleep. These disruptions cause the sufferer to arise the next morning feeling as if he or she did not sleep at all, and they are typically unaware that they actually did not sleep. There are several risk factors for developing sleep apnea. Those who are overweight, especially if considered to be obese or morbidly obese, and those who smoke have a much higher risk for developing sleep apnea. Males have a higher te... ...n cause many other life-threatening illnesses. Evidence shows any case of OSA can become severe if not treated in a timely manner. Anyone with questions regarding this disorder should seek medical advice, because it could help save a life. Works Cited Bencosme, RDH, MA, J., & Castellanos, RDH, MA, S. (2011). Sleep Apnea Syndrome. RDH, 76-77, 115. Berry, MSN, APRN, ACNP-BC, CCNS, CCRN, D. (2008). Case Study: Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Medsurg Nursing, 11-6; quiz 17. Harrington, J. (2007). Sleep Apnoea. Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine, p. 1. Johns, M. W. (1991). A New Method for Measuring Daytime Sleepiness: The Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Sleep, Vol 6, 540-545. KU Medical Center. (n.d.). Department of Respiratory Care Education. Retrieved from KU Medical Center: http://classes.kumc.edu/cahe/respcared/cybercas/sleepapnea/trenpoly.html