Is it simply snoring or something more? If your snoring is excessive, or you battle sleepiness during the day, it may be a sign of sleep apnea, according to James P. Maynard, M.D, a neurologist and medical director of the Sleep Disorders Centers at St. Elizabeth. Dr. Maynard, a Milwaukee native and graduate of the Medical School of Wisconsin, recently spoke to the Rotary Club of Florence.
A relatively new science, sleep apnea means that you literally stop breathing while asleep. Medically speaking, your throat becomes blocked by excess flesh, and you must wake up in order to breathe. The brain tells the body to wake up just enough to tighten the throat muscles and open the airway. This cycle can be repeated hundreds of times during the night, leading to daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, lack of energy and depression.
Men are 2 ½ times more likely to suffer from sleep apnea, although Dr. Maynard commented that “their bed partners suffer, too!” Men with greater than a 17” neck size, or women with 16” or greater, are at risk due to increased neck weight. “You may develop sleep apnea, “Dr. Maynard said with a smile, “because you’re just too short for your weight.”
You may also experience sleep disorders if you are a restless sleeper. With each waking episode, the body produces an adrenaline surge, which then raises blood pressure, and contributes to an inability to fall back asleep. In addition, as we age, our neck muscles become less firm, and this can cause blockages that lead to restless sleep.
“Why is it important to treat sleep apnea?” asked Dr. Maynard. “While snoring may be annoying, it is typically not life threatening. Sleep apnea, however, is a serious medication condition that can lead to a heart attack or stroke if left untreated.” Constant gasping for air forces the heart to work harder, leading to strain that can trigger an attack. Higher blood pressure can be caused by the constant rush of adrenaline during restless sleep, and memory loss can be exacerbated by the lack of oxygen.
How is sleep apnea treated? The good news is that it is 100% curable! The most common treatment is Continuous Positive Air Pressure, or CPAP. A small pump sends air through a hose attached to a mask over your nose, keeping your airway open and allowing you to breathe better while you sleep. Other surgical procedures like a tracheotomy, or removal of excess tissue in the mouth and throat, have more complications and less chance of success, but may be appropriate in some cases.
Dr. Maynard suggested four changes to help reduce snoring and prevent mild sleep apnea. These include sleeping on your side, avoiding alcohol three hours before bedtime, losing weight, and keeping nasal passages clear by promptly treating allergies and sinus problems. These changes take time and effort, but may pay off in better quality sleep for you (and your partner!).
The Florence Rotary Club meets most Mondays at noon at the Airport Hilton Hotel in Florence. For more information about the Club, contact Pat Moynahan, President, at amoynahan@insightbb.com or 859-802-0242, or visit the club’s website at www.florencerotary.com
