Diagnosis & Management of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common but serious sleep disorder in which a person’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. These pauses in breathing can last for a few seconds to minutes and may occur multiple times throughout the night, disrupting normal sleep patterns.

Types of Sleep Apnea:
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The most common type. It occurs when the throat muscles relax and block the airway during sleep.
  • Central Sleep Apnea: Less common. It happens when the brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
  • Complex (Mixed) Sleep Apnea: A combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
  • Snoring
  • Daytime Fatigue and sleepiness
  • Sleepiness while watching TV or Reading
  • Morning Headaches
  • Frequent urination at night
  • A dry throat on waking up
  • Gasping or choking at night
  • Teeth grinding
  • Disrupted sleep
Medical Complication of Sleep apnea
  • High blood pressure
  • Increase in blood clotting
  • Heart failure/ Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Increased risk of having work related or driving accidents
Emotional complications of sleep apnea
  • Mood Swings
  • Irritability
  • Forgetfulness and inability to concentrate
  • Depression
  • Personality Changes
  • Panic Attacks
Link of obstructive sleep apnea and medical diseases

Clinical Studies have shown a link between the following medical conditions and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

  • High Blood pressure
  • Stroke
  • Type II Diabetes
  • Chronic pain syndrome
  • Insomnia
  • Obesity
Diagnosis of Sleep Apnea

In obstructive sleep apnea, the upper airway repeatedly collapses during sleep causing a decreased airflow that stresses the heart, the body and raises blood pressure. The condition may worsen glucose control and insulin resistance, and lead to blood sugar imbalance.

To be properly diagnosed, an overnight test is undertaken where sleep and breathing patterns, oxygen levels and heart activity are monitored and recorded. The overnight recording is safe and painless.