Evaluation and Treatment of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition where the brain is sending a signal to breathe, but the tissues of the airway collapse, causing obstruction of the air passageway. These patients are frequently fatigued, irritable, and forgetful. They may have early morning headaches. Spouses are great at predicting sleep apnea, but an overnight sleep study in a sleep lab is the gold standard for diagnosis. Treatments include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP or “the machine”), dental appliances, and surgery.
In children, this will often make them more irritable and prone to outbursts. They may have behavioral issues or trouble in school. Large tonsils are a common cause.
Adults with untreated obstructive sleep apnea can develop hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure and other serious long-term medical problems. In the short term, there is an eight-fold increased risk of automobile accidents in patients that have untreated obstructive sleep apnea.
In children, this will often make them more irritable and prone to outbursts. They may have behavioral issues or trouble in school. Large tonsils are a common cause.
Adults with untreated obstructive sleep apnea can develop hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure and other serious long-term medical problems. In the short term, there is an eight-fold increased risk of automobile accidents in patients that have untreated obstructive sleep apnea.