Sleep Apnea David Schiano Alex Byington

Pathology  Sleep Apnea is a disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while sleeping.  Breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to a few minutes.  They occur five to thirty times or more an hour.

Parts of the Body  The trachea, the airway is blocked  The brain can fail to signal the body’s muscles to breathe.

Cause of Sleep Apnea  Sleep Apnea is caused by the body’s inability to get proper oxygen to the lungs during sleep.  Some main causes of sleep Apnea include:  Obesity  Having a large tongue or tonsils  Having throat or tongue muscles that relax too gently during sleep.  Possessing an unusual head shape  Natural Aging

Therapy for the Condition  CPAP (Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure) provides a constant stream of air that keeps the breathing passages open while sleeping.  Surgery to increase the size of the airway and reduce episodes of sleep apnea.  Dental devices that open the airway by bringing the lower jaw or the tongue forward during sleep.

Pharmacology  Doctor’s may prescribe medication for daytime sleepiness.  Provigil and Xyrem

Progression of the Disease  Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A blockage of the airways  Central Sleep Apnea: It occurs when the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe.  Complex Sleep Apnea: A combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea

Recovery  Swelling of the lining of the mouth after surgery may negate the effect of the surgery.  Anesthesia can additional complications after surgery.  The CPAP machine is highly effective, but a person will still need to use it nightly.