The BP Monitor » Sleep-apnea-surgery http://thebpmonitor.com How's Your Blood Pressure? Issues, support, and treatments Thu, 17 Dec 2009 07:30:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Tracheostomy Surgery For Sleep Apnea Sufferershttp://thebpmonitor.com/tracheostomy-surgery-for-sleep-apnea-sufferers/ http://thebpmonitor.com/tracheostomy-surgery-for-sleep-apnea-sufferers/#comments Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:34:35 +0000 htnguy http://thebpmonitor.com/tracheostomy-surgery-for-sleep-apnea-sufferers/ A tracheostomy is a type of surgery used in the treatment of sleep apnea. It is a serious treatment, used as a last resort for people who either haven’t had success with any other types of treatment or whose sleep apnea is severe enough to be life-threatening.
This surgery has a high success rate but it can have some serious side effects. It involves an incision being cut in the throat, through the windpipe, roughly the size of a quarter. A tube is inserted into this incision to allow easier airflow in and out of the lungs. It can lead to other health problems, both medical and psychological.
The tube that is inserted allows the air to flow freely, eliminating the sleep apnea. During the day, a valve lets the patient shut the tube to allow them to breathe and speak naturally. The valve is opened at night while asleep to allow the air to flow.
Recovery from a tracheostomy can vary – some people will take longer than others.
There are multiple risks associated with this type of surgery. Scar tissue can form where the incision is made which can lead to changes in the appearance of the person’s neck.
Infections can sometimes develop where the incision is made, leading to swelling, redness and fluid drainage. Bleeding is also often a complication.
Some patients who have undergone this surgical procedure have difficulties with speech. Some have problems immediately after the surgery but show improvement with time while others have a permanent change in their speech.
A tracheostomy can also increase the chances of a lung infection.
Psychological and emotional problems can also be an issue for some patients who undergo the surgery. Self-consciousness can be an issue in some cases due to the appearance of the neck when the tube has been inserted.
After undergoing a tracheostomy, proper hygiene is very important. Keeping the neck clean and free of debris is paramount.

]]> http://thebpmonitor.com/tracheostomy-surgery-for-sleep-apnea-sufferers/feed/ 0 Alternative Therapies That Can Help With Sleep Apneahttp://thebpmonitor.com/alternative-therapies-that-can-help-with-sleep-apnea/ http://thebpmonitor.com/alternative-therapies-that-can-help-with-sleep-apnea/#comments Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:32:49 +0000 htnguy http://thebpmonitor.com/alternative-therapies-that-can-help-with-sleep-apnea/ It’s becoming more and more common for people suffering from many medical conditions to turn to alternative therapies for treatment. Before trying these therapies, it’s always best to seek the advice of a health care professional, but alternative therapies can often complement or even replace traditional treatments.
It is often thought that structural problems that cause restricted airflow are the underlying cause of sleep apnea. While this is true, it’s not always a physical problem requiring corrective surgery. In some cases it can be as simple as losing weight.
By losing weight, it helps to keep the airways open, making breathing easier. Even a small amount of weight loss can make a difference in some people – as little as 10 to 15 pounds.
Homeopathic practitioners have a theory that sleep apnea is due to a lack of energy. Thus, diet is an important factor for people suffering with apnea. Reducing the amount of sugar can help, as can a reduction in foods that cause an allergic reaction.
Herbal medications are often recommended for dealing with sleep apnea. There are two common ones – lachesis and homeopathic opium. Lachesis is considered to be the best for people who are extroverted & charismatic, with a tendency to anger easily.
Another alternative therapy for sleep apnea is flower remedy or essence therapy. This uses a flower called Vervain, which helps to calm and relax people. These alternative remedies are usually available at health food stores as well as many websites.
It has been shown that sleep apnea is sometimes cause by too little serotonin in the body. The nerves that control our breathing need a certain amount, and without enough it can interrupt breathing.
It is thought that by using a serotonin precursor such as 5-HTP, it can help to minimize the symptoms of sleep apnea. It has helped many patients get a more restful night’s sleep, with fewer breaks from waking up in the middle of the night.
As with any treatments, you should always consult with your doctor before trying anything to be sure there will be no negative effects.

]]> http://thebpmonitor.com/alternative-therapies-that-can-help-with-sleep-apnea/feed/ 0 Central Sleep Apnea And Obstructive Sleep Apnea Comparedhttp://thebpmonitor.com/central-sleep-apnea-and-obstructive-sleep-apnea-compared/ http://thebpmonitor.com/central-sleep-apnea-and-obstructive-sleep-apnea-compared/#comments Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:06:39 +0000 htnguy http://thebpmonitor.com/central-sleep-apnea-and-obstructive-sleep-apnea-compared/ There are two different types of sleep apnea – obstructive (OSA) and central (CSA). There is also a third type known as mixed sleep apnea which is a combination of the other two.
OSA occurs when something blocks a person’s airway and doesn’t allow them to get the necessary amount of air while sleeping. This can be caused by a number of things. Obesity is probably the most common reason.
Overweight people have fatty tissue deposits in the neck and throat area which can cause the throat to be blocked when lying down. This restricts the airway and the airflow through it.
Other common causes of OSA include enlarged adenoids or tonsils, allergies, nasal deformities and sleeping in a poor position. Snoring is often a symptom of sleep apea as the snoring is caused by the body struggling to get the necessary amount of oxygen.
Central sleep apnea has similar symptoms but the causes are different. CSA is actually quite rare – much more so than OSA. People suffering from CSA have a problem with the timing in their brain. It regulates the rest of the body, including breathing. This timing does not “fire” properly in CSA patients, causing a lack of oxygen while sleeping.
In both types of sleep apnea, the sufferer wakes up a number of times over the course of a night, often gasping or choking for air. These interruptions in sleep can happen up to 100 times a night, causing a lack of quality rest.
This can lead to headaches and sore throats the next day from a lack of oxygen and the body’s fighting to get more. There are many other problems that result, such as drowsiness, irritability and lack of concentration.
Sleep apnea sufferers can be affected in the workplace, in their personal relationship and other areas where the emotional and physical drain can cause problems.
High blood pressure is another common result of sleep apnea and if it is not treated it can ultimately lead to a stroke or heart disease. Anyone who is showing signs of these symptoms should consult with their doctor for further advice, and more thorough tests if the doctor deems it necessary.

]]> http://thebpmonitor.com/central-sleep-apnea-and-obstructive-sleep-apnea-compared/feed/ 0 What Are Your Chances Of Developing Sleep Apnea?http://thebpmonitor.com/what-are-your-chances-of-developing-sleep-apnea/ http://thebpmonitor.com/what-are-your-chances-of-developing-sleep-apnea/#comments Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:04:23 +0000 htnguy http://thebpmonitor.com/what-are-your-chances-of-developing-sleep-apnea/ A person’s chances of developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can depend on a number of factors, some of which are beyond their control. When these are combined with other potential causes such as being overweight, drinking or smoking it can greatly increase the risk.
One of the factors that is somewhat beyond our control is age. Sleep apnea is more common is people over the age of 30, with the highest percentages in males over 40 years old.
It is more commonly found among men than women. It is thought that between 12 and 20 million Americans are affected by sleep apnea, ranging from mild to severe. Breaking that down by gender, roughly 24% of American men suffer from sleep apnea compared to only 9% of women.
Post-menopausal women are more likely to be affected by it and the percentages between men and women become much closer after women have gone through menopause.
There have been many studies done to examine the difference between male and female sufferers. Some of these studies show that men are 2 to 3 times more likely to suffer from sleep apnea, while other studies have shown them 5 to 6 times more likely to deal with it than women.
Genetics does play a part in sleep apnea but it is not really known how large a part. If you have a family history of sleep apnea – in either men or women – it is more likely that you will develop the disorder at some point in your life.
Race is another factor that appears to play a role. African Americans as well as Hispanics and Pacific Islanders are more likely to be afflicted than Caucasians. They are still affected by it but in lower percentages.
Any type of medical condition that affects your breathing can ultimately contribute to sleep apnea. Health conditions such as Marfan’s syndrome or Down syndrome that can lead to abnormalities in the face and head – known as craniofacial problems – lead to a much greater chance of sleep apnea.

]]> http://thebpmonitor.com/what-are-your-chances-of-developing-sleep-apnea/feed/ 0 Sleep Apnea Related Heart Complicationshttp://thebpmonitor.com/sleep-apnea-related-heart-complications/ http://thebpmonitor.com/sleep-apnea-related-heart-complications/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:04:32 +0000 htnguy http://thebpmonitor.com/sleep-apnea-related-heart-complications/ If it’s left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to other serious heart-related health problems such as hypertension, high blood pressure, arrhythmia, hypercapnia, stroke and heart disease. The link between heart disease and sleep apnea is still not fully understood, however.
People who are suffering from heart problems tend to have a high number of occurrences of sleep apnea. However, it isn’t fully clear if the sleep apnea is the direct cause of the heart disease.
One thing that is clear is that someone who is suffering from sleep apnea has a much greater chance of developing hypertension. It has been shown that people who are suffering from both sleep apnea and high blood pressure show considerable improvement when treated for both. The same goes for sleep apnea and heart disease.
When a sleep apnea episode happens at night, the blood pressure increases because of a drop in the oxygen levels in the body. When this occurs, the brain tells the blood vessels to “tighten up” in order to get more oxygen to the brain and the heart, followed by the rest of the body.
The stoppages of breathing at night can last between 1 and 4 minutes, causing a large amount of stress to the heart. This also tends to carry forward into the daytime while awake. The mechanisms triggered by low oxygen levels in the body continue to operate during the day.
Sleep apnea sufferers have a 2.3 times greater chance of developing congestive heart failure than those who aren’t dealing with it. Those suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have a 1.5 times greater chance of having a stroke.
Sleep apnea can also contribute to more complications for anyone suffering from atrial fibrillation, a condition where the upper part of the heart (the atrium) is beating out of sync with the lower part (the ventricle).
To treat atrial fibrillation, the heart is cardioverted, meaning the atrium is reset to make it beat in sync with the ventricle. Over 50% of the people who have this procedure done suffer a relapse of the atrial fibrillation. In sleep apnea sufferers, that number has been shown to increase to 80%.
Regular doctor visits and following their treatment recommendations are critical to anyone suffering from both these health problems.

]]> http://thebpmonitor.com/sleep-apnea-related-heart-complications/feed/ 0 Somnomedâ??s Somnodent Mas Treats Snoring and Sleep Apneahttp://thebpmonitor.com/somnomeda%c2%80%c2%99s-somnodent-mas-treats-snoring-and-sleep-apnea/ http://thebpmonitor.com/somnomeda%c2%80%c2%99s-somnodent-mas-treats-snoring-and-sleep-apnea/#comments Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:10:03 +0000 htnguy http://thebpmonitor.com/somnomeda%c2%80%c2%99s-somnodent-mas-treats-snoring-and-sleep-apnea/ Many studies on sleep patterns have been done throughout the years. Sleep experts say we need between six and eight hours of sleep to feel rested and function at our best during the day. For some, this simply means going to bed at a reasonable time. However, there are people who cannot feel rested no matter what time they go to bed because they snore, share the bed with someone who snores, or suffer from sleep apnea. Losing an hour or more of sleep a night because of snoring can add up over time. In the case of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the consequences can affect the health of the individual.

OSA is a condition in which an individual stops breathing due to their airway collapsing during sleep and blocking their breathing for up to ten seconds each time. When the OSA is serious, this cessation can occur more than 30 times an hour. These cessations in breathing cause the blood oxygen levels to decrease dramatically. Lower oxygen levels in the blood raise the threat of heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke.

Causes of Sleep Apnea and Snoring

As we sleep, our muscles are relaxed. When the tongue and throat muscles relax, they can block the airway. A partial collapse of the airway results in the sound we call snoring. A complete collapse of the airway cuts off breathing and results in an apneic event. When this happens, you will wake up and begin breathing again because your muscles are no longer relaxed. This may happen as little as five times every hour, or as many as 30 or more times an hour. Obviously, your sleep pattern is going to be affected.

People who are obese, smoke, or consume alcohol have a higher chance of snoring and a greater risk of OSA. Men are more likely to suffer from OSA than women are.

Oral Appliances

If you suffer from snoring or have been diagnosed by a sleep apnea specialist, you may find treatment through oral appliance therapy. Oral appliances are custom-fitted for each patient to minimize the effects of snoring or sleep apnea in a variety of ways. By correcting the position of the jaw, or repositioning the jaw, the tongue and soft tissue will no longer interfere with your airway. One of the most effective oral appliances is the SomnoDent mandibular advancement splint (MAS), manufactured by SomnoMed.

SomnoDent MAS

The SomnoDent MAS is worn over the teeth, much like a sports mouth guard, as you sleep. It pushes the jaw forward from its natural position and, like other oral appliances, keeps the tongue in position and tightens the soft tissue to keep your airway open. Studies have shown that over 60% of patients who wear SomnoDent MAS experience a complete halt in OSA, and those who still have symptoms have a 50% decrease in the severity of their sleep apnea. Episodes of snoring decreased 43% in studies and lowered the volume of snoring (something your bed partner would probably be grateful for).

SomnoDent MAS features a patented â??fin-couplingâ? component which allows the wearer to speak and drink as they normally would.

If you suffer from snoring or believe you may have obstructive sleep apnea and are interested in finding out if SomnoDent MAS by SomnoMed is right for you, please contact Dr. Ira L. Shapira at the Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment Center for a free consultation.

]]> http://thebpmonitor.com/somnomeda%c2%80%c2%99s-somnodent-mas-treats-snoring-and-sleep-apnea/feed/ 0 What You Need To Know About Sleep Apnea Treatment?http://thebpmonitor.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-sleep-apnea-treatment/ http://thebpmonitor.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-sleep-apnea-treatment/#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:49:34 +0000 htnguy http://thebpmonitor.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-sleep-apnea-treatment/ Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person stops breathing repeatedly while sleeping.  Sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, including children.  Risk factors include being overweight, male gender, being over forty years of age, having a family history of sleep apnea, having a larger neck size, or having larger tonsils.  If left untreated sleep apnea could lead to hypertension, stroke, or heart problems such as a heart attack, heart failure, or irregular heart beat.  Sleep apnea can cause you to be less productive at work or school and increases your chances of having a car accident because of your sleep loss.  There are two types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.  Before diagnosing sleep apnea you must understand what it is.  Sleep apnea occurs when someone has completely stopped breathing for 10 seconds or more while they are sleeping.  Sometimes these apnea episodes completely wake a person, other times they just bring someone to a shallow level of sleep from a deep level.  This interrupted sleep may not be noticed by the person with the sleep apnea, instead it may alert your bed partner.  There are two types of sleep apnea: central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea.  Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain doesn’t send the signal to breathe to the breathing muscles.  This is more common in people with brain injuries or heart diseases.  Obstructive sleep apnea means the airway has actually been obstructed by your tongue going backwards or enlarged tonsils.  Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder.If you have symptoms of sleep apnea your doctor may ask you to have a sleep apnea test done at a sleep disorder center.  This test would be done after a physical exam and medical history.  People who have sleep apnea in their family history are at a higher risk for sleep apnea themselves.  A sleep study (polysomnogram) is a multiple-component test that electronically transmits and records specific physical activities while you are sleeping.  In a polysomnogram an EEG is used to record brain wave activity, an EMG records such things as teeth grinding, an EOG to record eye movements which tells the sleep stage you are in, an EKG for your heart rate, a nasal airflow sensor to record airflow, and a snore microphone records your snoring activity.  All of these results are then read by a sleep specialist and given to your doctor to determine if you have sleep apnea.If you have a mild case of obstructive sleep apnea you may be able to fix the problem by doing some behavioral changes.  These changes include changing your position while sleeping; sometimes apneas occur only in a certain position which is usually lying flat on your back.  Obesity is a contributive factor to obstructive sleep apnea.  Losing 10% of your body weight would improve your sleep apnea.  Some people with sleep apnea find this hard to do because the sleep loss leaves them too tired to exercise; in turn making them gain more weight which worsens the sleep apnea.  If the apnea is treated a different way it usually leads to people being able to lose weight since they won’t be as tired.

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