Breathtaking

A Look at Sleep Apnea

Imagine not being able to breathe while you sleep. It’s a reality many face.

About a quarter of Americans between ages 30 and 70 suffer from sleep apnea, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The condition pauses breathing temporarily during slumber. It can leave people tired and at risk of life-threatening conditions.

Fortunately, sleep apnea is treatable, though not curable. Dinesh Verma, M.D., Director of North State Pulmonary Critical Care Associates, frequently treats people with the condition. The good news, Dr. Verma explained, is that sleep apnea isn’t a disease — and with effective treatment, folks can enjoy full, productive lives.

But first they have to be diagnosed. Getting the information needed for this can usually be done in a person’s home, thanks to a device called a “WatchPAT” that clips to the person’s finger during slumber.

When a home sleep test is not appropriate, an overnight study can be done in the North State Sleep Lab, located inside North State Pulmonary’s offices. The monitored test takes place in a comfortable space that resembles a hotel room. The facility is certified by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Dr. Verma added.

He said there are four primary treatments for sleep apnea, but a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is “the gold standard.” It provides a constant stream of pressurized air through the mouth, preventing collapse of the airway, ensuring uninterrupted breathing through the night.

Other treatments include an oral appliance, designed to push the jaw forward slightly to keep the airway open; Inspire surgery, a minimally invasive placement of a device to stimulate the muscles that keep the airway open during sleep; and Zepbound, a medication for weight loss that is also approved for treating sleep apnea.

“Weight is a big thing to address as it relates to sleep apnea,” Dr. Verma said. “It will markedly affect the severity of the condition.”

Sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age with any body size, but people who are obese are more at risk. So are those who have unusually small jaws, an underbite, or large throat obstructions such as tonsils or adenoids. People with large necks also have increased risk.

Condition Can Pose Danger

Folks can have one of two types of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea, in which the airway collapses during sleep, is most common. Central sleep apnea — when a person’s brain fails to send signals to muscles that control breathing — is uncommon but not rare, Dr. Verma said.

When left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to loud snoring, frequent nighttime urination and mood disturbances. Loud snoring that awakens others can strain relationships, and a lack of rest can put people at risk of falling asleep while driving.

Symptoms can become severe, resulting in strokes, asthma, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, Type 2 diabetes and sexual dysfunction. About 35,000 cardiovascular deaths occur annually among people with sleep apnea, he added.

Chuck Kramer is the supervisor of Enloe Health Home Medical Equipment’s Respiratory Therapy. He said anyone who experiences these symptoms should contact his or her primary care provider to get a referral to North State Pulmonary.

If a CPAP is prescribed, a respiratory therapist will set up the device for the patient, he added.

Overall, Kramer said treatment helps patients greatly.

“Most patients will first report that they are feeling less tired or foggy during the day,” he said. “Most will also report decreased morning headaches, improved memory, less-frequent trips to the restroom at night, decreased irritability with depression and decreased cardiovascular strain.”

Kramer said he has seen an improvement among patients who have Type 2 diabetes.

“Many folks also have reported needing fewer or even being able to decrease or eliminate medications for hypertension when their apnea is treated,” he said.