Sleep apnea is described as the temporary absence of breathing during sleep, which can be caused by obesity and stroke. It manifests itself as falling asleep during the daytime, especially in unusual circumstances like at traffic lights or whenever seated in a quiet room.
10% of all middle aged men and 5% of middle aged women in the United States are affected by sleep apnea.
The classification is according to the mechanism(s) involved and the presence or absence of daytime drowsiness.
There are least 3 types of sleep apnea; obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, central sleep apnea, and mixed sleep apnea.
1. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) usually affects overweight men, who display vigorous respiratory effort during sleep due to airflow obstruction in the upper respiratory tract.
Loud snorting, snoring, and gasping sounds during sleep can be heard for some distance, and to such intensity that the individual frequently becomes awakened by their own snoring.
2. Central sleep apnea results from the absence of respiratory muscle activity. Such persons may have excessive daytime sleepiness but there is no snoring or gasping during sleep.
3. Mixed apnea is a combination of symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apnea.
Individuals with sleep apnea have profound daytime tiredness, irritability, and seeming changes in behavior and even personality changes can result. The individual sometimes make light of the problem, electing not to get professional help.
Serious consequences like hypertension, heart disease and even death is possible.
The problem is readily treatable once it is diagnosed.
Local resources include the Florida Sleep Disorder Center, 211 Swann Avenue, Suite 101, Tampa Florida 33606, and Tel: 813-251-2525. There is another location at 910 Oakfield Drive, Suite 101, Brandon, Fl 33511 Telephone (813) 651-1934.
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