Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can result from underlying health conditions and it can be the cause of new health conditions some of which can be quite serious when sleep apnea goes undetected.  Modern medical research has shown that sleep apnea can exacerbate existing hypertension and significantly increase the risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Sleep apnea is defined as the weakening of air passages during sleep which results in several seconds of air blockage at repeated episodes during the course of a night’s sleep.  The interior of the air passages weaken as the result of throat muscles that relax more than normal during sleep which compromises breathing during sleep.

Organ Stress

When your breathing is reduced the oxygen that circulates in the blood is reduced which causes your heart to work harder.  The reduction in oxygen supply also affects other organs in your body by causing undue stress on the organs that depend upon an adequate supply of oxygen and restful sleep to function properly.  When the oxygen is reduced this increases stress on the organs which in turn causes other related health problems.

Cardiovascular Issues

When you have multiple episodes of apnea during the night this results in elevated blood pressure this can result in a wide variety of cardiovascular problems which include irregular heart beat, heart disease, angina, and other disorders related to the heart. 

Modern medical research has also discovered links between sleep apnea and atherosclerosis.  Sleep apnea causes reduced blood oxygen levels which can also contribute to the increase in inflammatory cells and chemicals in the blood stream.  When inflammation exists in the blood stream it leads to obstruction in the arteries which is diagnosed as atherosclerosis.

Sleep apnea can also be a major contributor to hypertension or high blood pressure caused by increased levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine which are substances that are increased by the effects of sleep apnea and promote inflammation of the blood vessels around the heart.  As a result, the effects can lead to angina, heart attack, and heart failure.

Other Health Risks of Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea Include:

If sleep apnea is left untreated or undiagnosed there are other health risks that can result when a sleep disorder is allowed to get out of hand.  Some of the health problems can include:

• Stroke:  Since one of the symptoms of sleep apnea involves a drop in blood oxygen levels this problem can lead to blood clots which are the leading cause of a stroke.

• High Blood Pressure:  Sudden reduction in blood oxygen levels that result from breathing blockage during sleep apnea can also lead to hypertension.  If the fluctuation in blood oxygen is allowed to go on for an extended period of time, the result is high blood pressure which in turn causes additional health problems.

• Depression:  Although depression is not a common side effect of undiagnosed sleep apnea it has been known to occur, especially if sleep apnea has gone untreated for any extended period of time.  Depression can result from sleep disruption, low blood oxygen levels, and other factors that come into play with sleep apnea.

• Accidents:  Ongoing episodes of sleep apnea cause daytime drowsiness which means the person will fall asleep at inappropriate times of the day including while driving or operating machinery.  This places the person with sleep apnea at risk of injury as well as other individuals on the road or in the workplace.

• Obesity:  After a long period of suffering from sleep apnea episodes this causes you to become fatigued to the point where you do not feel like doing anything that involves physical activity.  Obesity can exacerbate sleep apnea and cause the symptoms to become worse.  If the disorder is undiagnosed this further increases the risks of the symptoms becoming more severe.

If some of these symptoms sound familiar to you it may be worth your while to undergo a few tests and a sleep study to determine if sleep apnea is playing a role in the way you feel during the daytime.  Even if it turns out that sleep apnea is not a factor, at least you will be able to rule it out as a possibility so you can move on to other tests that will help to identify any other health conditions you may have.

If you think another family member is suffering from sleep apnea try to encourage them to see your health care provider to undergo a sleep study and other necessary tests.  If you capture the sleep apnea early this will prevent other health risks and help your family member to live a more energetic and fulfilled life.

Treatments for Sleep Apnea

When you seek treatment for sleep apnea the type of treatment that you healthcare provider recommends will help to restore restful and recuperative sleep by restoring your normal breathing patterns during sleep. By improving your sleep habits other health issues you are experiencing will likely improve as well.

There is a wide variety of treatment options that your healthcare professional will discuss with you.  Some of the options include breathing devices that you will use while you sleep, lifestyle changes, and in extreme instances surgery may be recommended.  The following information will provide you with an overview of the various treatment options and how they are used to relieve the symptoms of sleep apnea.

Mouthpiece Devices

If you suffer from mild sleep apnea or a problem with your jaw structure creates air blockage while you sleep, your healthcare professional may recommend that you use a special mouthpiece while you sleep.  The mouthpiece is custom fit to your mouth and is usually created by a dentist or an orthodontist.

Once the mouthpiece is created you must insert it each night before going to sleep.  The mouthpiece will adjust your lower jaw appropriately and position your tongue to allow your air passage to remain open while you sleep.  When you start wearing the mouthpiece it may feel uncomfortable and prevent you from sleeping though the entire night.  In this case it is important to tell you dentist or orthodontist as it may require a few adjustments before the mouthpiece is comfortable.

Lifestyle Changes

You healthcare professional may recommend changes in your lifestyle to help improve the symptoms of sleep apnea.  More often than not lifestyle factors can be the main cause of sleep apnea.

If you are overweight this causes the buildup of fat disuse in your air passages which can aggravate sleep apnea.  Even losing a few pounds can dramatically improve the symptoms of sleep apnea.

If you suffer from sleep apnea it is highly likely you probably use some type of sleep aid.  This can actually exacerbate the symptoms of sleep apnea since it will make it difficult for your throat to remain open during the course of the night.  Avoid the sedatives altogether as well as any other habits that you have developed in an effort to induce sleep such as drinking alcohol before you retire at night.  Also, if you smoke try to find a way to quit by talking with your physician about the best way to go about it.

If you tend to sleep on your back there are special pillows and therapeutic shirts that you can use to ensure you do not inadvertently end up sleeping on your back at night.  Sleeping on your back is one of the main causes of air blockage when you suffer from sleep apnea.

Breathing Devices

Breathing devices that help to keep your airways open during the night are a very common treatment for sleep apnea.  The device is known as a CPAP or ‘continuous positive airway pressure’ and is a mask that you are required to wear while you sleep.  The mask is fitted over your nose and mouth and is connected to a machine that keeps air flowing into your windpipe to ensure it remains open so you can breathe.  The airflow creates pressure on you’re the walls of your windpipe which helps it to remain open while you sleep.

A CPAP device can be uncomfortable but the good news is that there are many different types and it may take a period of trail and error before you find the setup that is right for you.  The majority of people feel better and have increased energy once they start using the CPAP device.  This is because their sleep cycle is no longer being interrupted by episodes of air blockage.

Surgery

Surgery is used for sleep apnea when other forms of treatment have not proven to be successful.  Surgery is used in extreme cases of sleep apnea and in cases where there are problems associated with the physical structure of the neck, excess tissue in the mouth, or irregular structure in the lower jaw.

Depending upon hat is causing sleep apnea in a patient the surgery can involve removing excess tissue from the throat, removal of the tonsils if they are causing a blockage, resetting the lower jaw, or shrinking the tissue by using a treatment that involves injections.  In the case of young children your health care provider may suggest waiting on surgery to see if the tissues shrink as your child gets older.

As you can see, there are a lot of options you can pursue if you suffer from sleep apnea.  Of course, before one or more of these options are recommended you will be subject to a series of diagnostic tests to identify the specific type of sleep apnea that you may have.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

If you have obstructive sleep apnea it can be difficult to adjust to living with the types of treatments that are required to relieve the symptoms.  Learning to manage and live with the symptoms and treatment for obstructive sleep apnea can be very manageable and necessary to prevent it from getting worse.  Obstructive sleep apnea can be very serious if left untreated but the good news is there is a lot you can do to make living with obstructive sleep apnea easier which will help you to enjoy a better quality of life.

Live a Healthy Lifestyle

Anyway you look at it, living a healthy lifestyle is a must for any type of health issue you may have including sleep apnea.  If you are overweight then do whatever it takes to lose the weight.  Obesity is a major contributor to obstructive sleep apnea and makes the condition worse.  When symptoms of sleep apnea worsen it makes the treatment harder to live with.

If you smoke, find a way to quit.  Even if it means seeking the help of others in addition to your healthcare provider, work on kicking the habit. Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include air blockage which can be twice as dangerous if you smoke.

If you drink alcohol in moderate amounts consider cutting back or quitting altogether.  If you like to enjoy that one glass of wine then enjoy it during dinner instead of right before your bedtime.

Eat a well balanced diet and cut out processed and prepared foods that you find in the frozen food aisle in the supermarket.  Although it may be tempting on a busy schedule these types of foods are laden with ingredients that can fuel allergies which interfere with breathing.  Instead, stick with fresh produce, fruits, whole grains, and organic foods.  This type of diet is cheaper, it is a whole lot healthier, and it can make living with obstructive sleep apnea much easier.

Exercise helps to strengthen the heart and the lungs and helps you to maintain energy and vitality. It also helps with the reduction of stress which can significantly improve the symptoms of sleep apnea. Make it a point to exercise at least four times a week even if it means starting out with only a few minutes each day.  If you stick with the plan on a consistent basis you will eventually realize the results and benefits that exercise adds to your daily life.

Maintain Ongoing Healthcare

Many patients that have obstructive sleep apnea often find that the devices you need to get a restful night’s sleep uncomfortable or the changes in lifestyle overwhelming and impossible to achieve.  They stop using the sleep devices and forget the goals they set for lifestyle changes and then continue to suffer with obstructive sleep apnea.

The reality is that you do not have to go it alone.  If the devices that have been recommended to relieve the symptoms of sleep apnea are uncomfortable, tell your health care provider.  They will work with you until you come up with a system that works for you and provides you with a better night of sleep. 

In the case of obstructive sleep apnea the common treatment requires using a CPAP or ‘continuous positive airway pressure’ which requires you to wear a mask over your nose and mouth while you sleep.  This treatment can create discomfort and actually prevent you from sleeping however; if you communicate with your healthcare provider on a regular basis they will work with you to come with a solution that allows you to achieve restful sleep.  Although CPAP is a common treatment there are many different methods for this type of treatment that can be used if you are losing sleep due to device discomfort.

If you are using a mouthpiece to promote better breathing during sleep, it is important to seek ongoing health care to ensure the device is working at optimum level at all times.  This is a device that you insert into your mouth at bedtime that helps to prevent air blockage that can be caused by problems which are related to lower jaw structure.  To ensure optimum comfort it may be necessary to schedule routine visits with your dentist or orthodontist who designed the mouthpiece to ensure the device is working properly and is providing you with optimal comfort.

Finally, schedule routine appointments with your healthcare provider to monitor any health issues you may have that are related to obstructive sleep apnea.  By scheduling routine appointments it will help your healthcare provider to identify an issue before it is allowed to get worse.  It will also be beneficial in helping you to live with obstructive sleep apnea by keeping any health issues under control.

Sleep Apnea Basics

If you are unfamiliar with what sleep apnea is the following information will provide you with an overview of what the illness is as well as some of the symptoms and different occurrences that can result from sleep apnea.  People who suffer from sleep apnea often are unaware of its presence until they are diagnosed since it typically occurs during different stages of your sleep cycle.

There are different types of sleep apnea but regardless of the type, sleep apnea basically prevents you from breathing at different intervals when you sleep.  This happens when the brain stops communicating with the muscles that regulate your breathing cycle.  For brief periods of time your breathing is blocked which is known as apnea and then the pattern repeats itself throughout the night.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

The symptoms of sleep apnea are difficult to detect by the person that is suffering from the illness.  Instead, the symptoms are usually noticed by spouses or family members.  The person who is suffering from sleep apnea often passes it off as insomnia or difficulty sleeping for any extended period of time.

When a person suffers from sleep apnea it is common for the person to start snoring immediately after falling asleep.  The snoring will continue for indefinite period of time until it is discontinued when breathing is blocked.  The person then suddenly gasps for air and then the snoring will return.  This cycle occurs frequently throughout the night without the person being aware of the sleep interruption.  Other signs and symptoms of sleep apnea can include daytime drowsiness, morning fatigue, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, hyperactivity, and leg swelling.

Diagnosis of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is diagnosed through testing by your healthcare provider.  Diagnosis commences with a review of your health history and a complete physical exam.  You will also be asked about daytime drowsiness and sleep habits at night.  Once this phase of testing is complete your health care provider will recommend a sleep study.

A sleep study usually involves an overnight stay in a medical facility where your sleep habits can be monitored throughout the night.  The study involves measurement of your sleep states by recording information related to rapid eye movement or the REM stage of sleep and non-rapid eye movement or the NREM stage of sleep.

The information that is recorded during the night includes blood oxygen levels, breathing rate, the position of your body, heart rate, brain waves, muscle activity, and patterns of eye movement.  The information is gathered through the use of electrodes that are placed on your chin, head, and the outside of your eyelids.  The electrodes remain in place throughout the course of the night in addition to monitors that record your heart and breathing rate.

Treatment of Sleep Apnea

As frightening as sleep apnea may seem the good news is there are a variety of different treatments that can be used to provide relief and to promote a better night’s rest.  Your healthcare provider will recommend a few lifestyle changes if needed such as avoiding sleep aids or sleeping on your back, and weight loss if you exceed your recommended weight.

A treatment known as CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure may also be recommended.  This is a treatment that requires you to wear a mask while you sleep which provides air pressure during the course of your breathing cycle.  This ensures that the windpipe remains in an open position while you sleep and prevents blocked breathing episodes from occurring.

In extreme cases, surgery may be recommended for the nose and sinuses or for the removal of excessive tissue located in the rear of the throat area.  In other cases, corrective surgery for abnormal face structures may be recommended if other treatments have proven to be ineffective.

Sleep Apnea Risks

If sleep apnea is left untreated it could possibly be a precursor to heart disease or contribute to the development of hypertension, irregular heartbeat, heart failure, or the onset of a stroke.  If you suffer from daytime drowsiness this could lead to an automobile accident or other mechanical accident in your area of work. 

Other risks can include physiological makeup such as large tonsils, narrow airways, and problems related to jaw structure, as well as tongue size that could eventually lead to problems with sleep apnea.  Sleep apnea can also be preceded or accompanied by other sleep disorders such as difficulty falling asleep, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, excessive total sleep, or problems staying awake.

If you think you may have sleep apnea hopefully this information will help to point you in the right direction for getting help.  The more you know about this type of illness the easier it will be to communicate effectively with your health care provider and receive the proper treatment.

Eye Make-Up for Blue Eyes

Not all people are bestowed with such oceanic colored eyes. The natural beauty of the blue eyes captures the attention of the people that surrounds them. They are the valuable asset of the person who own one. Eye make up for blue eyes come in handy ideas that may be creatively improvised.

There are few easy steps on applying eye make-up. Bear in mind the general rule of finding the set of colors that blend with your skin complexion. For fair skin you make it simple but beautifully blended. The light blend of shades makes a subtle effect on the eyes. You don’t need to make the eyes look dramatic on fair skin. Apply a blend of blend of peach and pink shades on your eyes. They are light colors that show off your natural and beautiful blue-colored eyes. You may also try on the skin tone eye shadows that blend well on fair complexion. Light brown and taupe are the neutral colors. The important thing to remember on fair skin is to patronize the light colors set of eye shadows.

Darker skin tone may require heavy set of colors on the eyes. The trick for dark complexion with blue eyes is the darker colors with metallic effects. They are shiny and sparkling. The colors include glittering gold, bright bronze and silvery effect. The metallic colors create a dramatic effect on the eyes, enhancing the blue eyes all the more. It’s important however, not to overdo it. The metallic effect should be just enough to draw the attention to your blue eyes.  

Eye liners are usually not needed on blue eyes. Choose the brown eye liner if you prefer to still apply it on your eyes. Make sure it is applied minimally.  That also applies to fair complexions. On the other hand, the darker skins with blue eyes need to apply the black eye liner. It will give the dark colors of eye shadows contrast. The fashion clichés of using metallic eye liners is in. You may want to try it on to create fancy looks.

Mascara helps the blue eyes be the focal point of your face. Curl the eye lashes giving enough attention on the upper lashes. It gives the eyes wide opening. The universal color of mascara is black but there are other options to choose from. The light colored eye lashes must comply with light tinted mascara. It gives the natural glow of the eyes. Choose brown mascara to blend with the light eye lashes. You may also add extenders on your eye lashes for brighter blue eyes. It will enhance the curl of your eye lashes. 

In addition to eye shadows and eye liner, play with the colors to have a beautiful outcome. Take for example - apply powdery blue on the eye lids together with black eye liner and mascara. Both mascara and eye liner will provide an emphasis on the blue eyes with the soft color of blue eye liner. Just remember that however you choose to highlight your eyes, it’s important that you feel good about it.   

Sleep Apnea in Children

When children suffer from sleep apnea it can cause daytime drowsiness and attention and behavioral problems.  If your child suffers from obstructive sleep apnea it means that the muscles in the linings of the throat relax more than they should.  This causes the windpipe to collapse which obstructs the flow of air to the lungs for a period of seconds.

Once the air blockage occurs the child becomes restless and suddenly awakens which causes the muscles in the throat to stiffen.  When the muscles become firm this process opens up the air passage again so the child can breathe normally.  The problem is typically caused by enlarged tonsils or adenoid abnormalities and commonly occurs in children of ages three and older.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea in Children

Although sleep apnea in children is similar to adults there are additional symptoms in children that can only be detected through medical diagnosis or by close monitoring of the child’s behavior on the part of the parents.

• Tonsils and Adenoids:  During routine pediatric examinations ask your child’s pediatrician to examine the tonsils and adenoids for any abnormalities.  If the tonsils and adenoids are enlarged this provides excess tissue in the air passage of the throat allowing air blockage to occur during sleep when the throat muscles are relaxed.  If your child appears to have problems sleeping this could be a factor in causing sleep apnea.

• Intermittent Snoring:  If you monitor your child’s sleep habits and discover intermittent bouts of snoring that is followed by periods of silence where breathing appears to be non-existent, this is a sign of sleep apnea. Especially if the episode is followed by a gasp or snort which allows normal breathing to continue.

• Breathing from the Mouth:  If your child tends to breathe frequently from the mouth this could be a sign of blocked or swollen air passages that lead to sleep disturbance and sleep apnea.

• Difficulty Falling Asleep:  If your child has trouble falling asleep at night this could relate to obstructions in the air passages which cause the child to start falling asleep only to be awakened shortly after as a result of breathing obstructions.

• Irritability:  As a result of restless sleep that is related to sleep apnea your child may begin to show signs of irritability.  They may not realize that irritability has developed but if you monitor your child closely you will be able to determine if the irritability is an isolated case or it has increased over a period of time.

• Daytime Drowsiness:  If your child complains about being consistently tired during the day this could be a sign of restless sleep at night which would be related to sleep apnea.  Try keeping track of the number of times your child mentions being tired and then examine the log after a specified period of time.

• Decreased Attention Span:  A reduction in attention span is often related to ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) however, before you or others draw conclusions, sleep apnea should not be ruled out as a possibility.  Daytime behaviors in young children are very much related to sleep disorders.  Make sure you rule out the possibility of sleep apnea before considering ADD as the root of the problem.

• Hyperactivity and Problems at School:  If your child exhibits symptoms of hyperactivity at school, has difficult paying attention in class, and overall has problems in school, these problems could be directly related to a sleep disorder and sleep apnea.  Although most children are automatically diagnosed with ADD or ADHD it is worth your time to take a second look to ensure it is not related to a sleep disorder.

As a parent it is important to keep a close watch for some the symptoms of sleep apnea in children since the symptoms that you observe will play an important role in diagnosing sleep apnea in your child.  In addition to the symptoms that you notice, sleep apnea will also be diagnosed by the size of your child’s tonsils and adenoids. 

Your pediatrician may also recommend conducting a sleep study which involves having your child stay overnight in a sleep center so medical professionals may monitor and record their sleep patterns.  The sleep study includes monitoring heart and breathing rates, body movements during sleep, and overall behaviors that occur during sleep cycles over the course of a night.  Additionally, if you child has allergies or any other conditions that cause nasal obstruction these conditions will be addressed during the sleep study as well.

How Sleep Apnea is Diagnosed

The most difficult part of diagnosing sleep apnea is realizing that it is present in the first place. Since sleep apnea occurs during the different sleep cycles it is often difficult to realize the problem exists and is often assumed to be insomnia by the person who has sleep apnea.  However, once a spouse or family member recognizes that something is not quite normal during your sleep pattern then there are many different methods that are used to diagnose and eventually treat sleep apnea. 

The following information will help to provide you with an overview of the different methods that are used to diagnose sleep apnea.

Physical Exam and Health History

Like other medical diagnosis that is used to identify health issues, determining sleep apnea begins with a review of health history and complete physical exam. Your healthcare provider may also request a survey of your sleep habits and daytime drowsiness.  A particular focus of the physical exam involves examination of your neck and throat which is a common contributor to the development of sleep apnea.

ABG

An ABG or arterial blood gas analysis is a test that is performed to measure the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide that is present in your blood.  The blood is drawn from your artery as opposed to a vein before it is immediately sent to the laboratory to ensure an accurate reading on oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.  The purpose of the test is to check for respiratory diseases and other health issues that affect the lungs.

ECG

An ECG or electrocardiogram is used to determine electrical activity in your heart.  The test is performed by connecting electrodes to your chest, arms, and legs.  The electrodes are connected to a machine which provides a reading of electrical signals coming from your heart.  This type of test is performed to determine your heart rate and to determine the position of the chambers in your heart.

Thyroid

Tests on your thyroid are performed to determine how well your thyroid gland is functioning.  The test is performed on your blood to help diagnose a thyroid that is underactive or overactive and to help determine the activity of your thyroid gland.

TTE

A TTE or transthoracic echocardiogram is an ultrasound that is performed on the heart to create a moving image of the heart.  The advantage of the ultrasound is it provides a more accurate image of the heart as opposed to an x-ray.  The test is performed to enable medical professionals to see your heart activity, the manner in which it is beating, blood circulation around the heart, and a clear image of the overall function of your heart.

Polysomnogram

A polysomnogram is also referred to as a sleep study and requires you to remain overnight in a sleep center to have your sleep habits and patterns monitored.  This test helps to determine the type of sleep apnea you have so the appropriate treatment can be recommended.

The sleep study monitors your activity during two states of sleep which include the REM stage which is also known as the rapid eye movement stage and the NREM stage also known as the non-rapid eye movement stage.  The activities include but are not limited to brain waves, heart rate, muscle activity, breathing, blood oxygen, and body position.  Your body position may be monitored via the use of a video camera where other tests are performed using electrodes.

The purpose of a sleep study is to determine if there are any breathing obstructions present during the sleep process in which case you would be diagnosed as having obstructive sleep apnea. The sleep study will also help to identify any other complications such as dreams that are being acted out physically or excessive movement disorders that occur during the sleep cycle.  Patients arrive at the sleep center a few hours before it is time to go to bed and then the test is conducted throughout the night so professionals can study your sleep patterns.

All of the above named tests may be performed or just a few depending upon what your health care provider thinks is necessary to recommend treatment.  The sleep study is almost always a necessary part of diagnosis and then the other tests are recommended on a basis of factors which include your health history, current health status, and health issues from the physical exam that may raise concerns.

If normal values result from the test this means that the test results showed normal muscle activity and brain wave during the course of the test.  If the results are abnormal this is a sign that a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea is present and further treatment will be recommended.