Powered by Sharecare
[x]
Post to my social network or blog
View Cart

Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Sleep apnea syndrome is a disorder in which a person stops breathing multiple times during sleep.

Recently Answered Questions

What is sleep apnea?
3 Expert Answers
Most Recent Answer
by HowStuffWorks
Sleep apnea is a condition that makes you stop breathing temporarily while you sleep. This forces you to awaken to resume breathing, resulting in disruptive sleep. People with sleep apnea show marked increases in their blood pressure over time and have a higher level of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) action, research shows. The SNS plays an important role, controlling heart rate and the const...
See More Answers »
What causes sleep apnea?
1 Expert Answer
Most Recent Answer
by Cleveland Clinic
Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses during sleep. Central sleep apnea is usually observed in patients with central nervous system dysfunction, such as following a stroke or in patients with neuromuscular diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It is also common in patients with heart failure and other...
See More Answers »
What are the effects of sleep apnea?
1 Expert Answer
Most Recent Answer
by Cleveland Clinic
If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in a number of health problems including hypertension, stroke, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy (enlargement of the muscle tissue of the heart), congestive heart failure, diabetes, and heart attacks. In addition, untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for job impairment, work-related accidents, and motor vehicle crashes as well as academic underachievement i...
See More Answers »
How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
2 Expert Answers
Most Recent Answer
by Dr. Phil Westbrook (Sponsored)
The diagnosis of sleep apnea starts with an examination by your doctor, who will take a history and perform a physical examination. Of course that means you have to go to your doctor and tell him your symptoms. He may ask you to fill out a questionnaire about your sleep and breathing that will identify risk factors for sleep apnea. This is all stuff that takes place while you are awake, so if sle...
See More Answers »
What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
1 Expert Answer
Most Recent Answer
by Cleveland Clinic
Often the first signs of OSA are recognized not by the patient, but by the bed partner. Many of those affected have no sleep complaints. The most common symptoms of OSA include: Snoring Daytime sleepiness or fatigue Restlessness during sleep Sudden awakenings with a sensation of gasping or choking Dry mouth or sore throat upon awakening Intellectual impairment, such as trouble concentratin...
See More Answers »
What happens when you sleep?
1 Expert Answer
Most Recent Answer
by Cleveland Clinic
When you sleep, your body rests and restores its energy levels. However, sleep is an active state that affects both your physical and mental well-being. A good night's sleep is often the best way to help you cope with stress, solve problems, or recover from illness. Sleep is prompted by natural cycles of activity in the brain and consists of two basic states: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and no...
See More Answers »
What are some ways to help my newborn sleep well?
1 Expert Answer
Most Recent Answer
by Cleveland Clinic
There are a number of ways you can help your baby become a better sleeper. These include: Work on shifting your baby's sleep cycle more toward nighttime by 2-3 months of age.Newborns frequently have their days and nights reversed and often the awake/sleep cycle is governed by the need to feed. When there is a need to feed during the night, keep lights dim and reserve stimulating interaction for...
See More Answers »
What are the dangers of sleep apnea?
1 Expert Answer
Most Recent Answer
by Dr. Michael Roizen
Having sleep apnea puts your health in jeopardy in several ways. When you stop breathing, your body actually wakes itself up-without you consciously knowing it. One huge detrimental effect of this is that you can never get into a deep sleep, so your body never gets the rejuvenating effect of deep sleep. Your body needs two things during the night (three, if you count back massages). It needs REM ...
See More Answers »
How can you tell if your partner really has sleep apnea?
1 Expert Answer
Most Recent Answer
by Dr. Mehmet Oz
Your partner's buzz saw-like snoring might make you want to stuff a tennis ball down his throat, but restrain yourself and use your unwanted wakefulness to see if sleep apnea may indeed be their problem. The most critical thing to look for is a pause in breathing for more than 10 seconds. But be careful: breathing can be an illusion. When Mr. Lawn Mower Mouth suddenly falls silent, you may look o...
See More Answers »
What are the big risk factors for sleep apnea?
1 Expert Answer
Most Recent Answer
by Dr. Michael Roizen
If you don't have a bedmate who can personally witness your breathing breaks during the night, you can still gauge your risk of sleep apnea. These are all big risk factors: Being overweight Being excessively sleepy during the day. For example, if you can fall asleep anywhere during the day (and you do not work or play all night long) Having a neck that's over 17 inches in circumference. In fa...
See More Answers »
1 2 3 4 5 Next >>