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Sleep apnea

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome; Apnea - sleep apnea syndrome

Symptoms:

It is important to emphasize that often, the person who has obstructive sleep apnea does not remember the episodes of apnea during the night. The predominant symptoms are usually associated with excessive daytime sleepiness due to poor sleep during the night. Often, family members, especially spouses, witness the periods of apnea. Symptoms that may be observed include:

• Loud snoring
• Periods of not breathing (apnea)
• Awakening not rested in the morning
• Abnormal daytime sleepiness, including falling asleep at inappropriate times
• Morning headaches
• Recent weight gain
• Limited attention
• Memory loss
• Poor judgment
• Personality changes
• Lethargy

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• Hyperactive behavior, especially in children
• High blood pressure
• Automatic behavior (performing actions by rote)
• Leg swelling (if severe)

Signs and tests:

A complete medical history taken by a health care practitioner is the most important diagnostic tool. Often, a survey that asks a series of questions about daytime sleepiness, sleep quality and bedtime habits is given.

A physical examination of the mouth, neck and throat (oropharynx) is important to detect abnormalities that may predispose.

Tests may include:

• Sleep studies
• An ECG to show arrhythmias during sleep
• An arterial blood gases to show low oxygen or elevated carbon dioxide
• Echocardiogram to evaluate the function of the heart
• Thyroid function studies

• Review Date: 8/7/2006
• Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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