Sleep Apnea the Focus of Healthy Living Column

Those seeking a reprieve from snoring or sleep apnea are encouraged to discuss their symptoms with their doctors for further evaluation according to an article covering the basics of obstructive sleep apnea.

Taking an educational approach, the author dissects the condition, citing a stat from the National Institutes of Health that more than 12 million people have obstructive sleep apnea as a driving force behind the increasing range of research and treatment options for the disorder.

Central sleep apnea is also discussed, as is mixed-sleep apnea, and Jonathan Greenburg, DDS, FAGD, a sleep specialist from the Sleep Apnea Center (Valencia, Calif), is quoted as saying that when compared to the normal population, a person with untreated sleep apnea will be four times more likely to have a stroke and three times more likely to have heart disease.

The article explains who is at risk, as well as common symptoms and misunderstandings. For example, Greenburg points out that larger body types are more likely to develop sleep apnea, distinguishing the difference between weight and size. It is also noted that snoring does not necessarily lead to sleep apnea.

Methods of diagnosis are discussed—specifically polysomnography—along with possible treatments, including CPAP; behavioral changes, specifically weight loss; the use of a full breath appliance; and surgery to remove excess fleshy tissue in the throat.

Tammy Marashlian's "Take Control of Sleep Apnea" appeared in the online edition of The Signal, a newspaper serving the Santa Clarita Valley in Southern California.