About this topic
Sleep apnea is a common sleep problem. Your breathing stops or gets very shallow for 10 to 30 seconds while you are sleeping. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common kind of sleep apnea to have. It happens when your throat muscles relax and block your airway. You may not even know that you stop breathing for short periods of time while you sleep. ‚
With sleep apnea, the amount of oxygen in your blood may drop. The brain senses this and briefly wakes you up so you will open your airway. This may happen so fast that you do not realize it has happened. This results in poor sleep and makes you tired during the day. Treating this problem may help your sleepiness. It can also help improve your mood and ability to think and enjoy life. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Sleep on your side instead of your back. This will help keep the throat open.
- Do not smoke or drink beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol). These tend to make sleep apnea worse.
- Do not take any drugs to help you sleep. These tend to make sleep apnea worse.
- Keep a healthy weight. If you are overweight, losing weight can help. It may decrease tissue, widen your nasal passages, and allow more air to flow through your nose. Ask your doctor what weight loss program would be best for you.
- Make your bed partner aware of your problem and how to help if you have an episode where you stop breathing.
- Your doctor may order a mouthpiece or a CPAP machine for you. CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. Be sure to learn how to clean, store, and take care of it. In some cases, a slightly different machine called a BPAP may be used. This stands for bilevel positive airway pressure.
- Using a nasal decongestant may help some people. Ask your doctor if you should do this.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
- Take your drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- Do not stop taking the drugs without telling your doctor.
- Talk with your doctor about nasal sprays or allergy drugs that can keep your nasal passages open.
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity if you are sleepy during the day. However, exercise can help give you more energy and assist in weight loss. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Daytime tiredness
- Memory problems
- Morning headaches
- Mood swings or feelings of low mood
- Accidents if you drive or run machinery when sleepy
- If this condition is not treated it can lead to very bad problems like:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heart failure
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
When do I need to call the doctor?
- You have questions about your condition
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you ways to help with sleep apnea and to keep my throat open.
- I can tell you what problems I may have if my sleep apnea is not treated.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine ‚
http://www.aadsm.org/SleepApnea.aspx ‚
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sleepapnea/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚