Obstructive Sleep Apnea Essay -- Disease, Disorders

In this day and age, nearly everyvirtuoso has heard the term kip Apnea in one place or another, whether it was on the news, from a friend or relative, or perhaps from their very own physician. What is calm apnea? Who is at risk for developing sleep apnea? Are there specific signs or symptoms to look for? How is sleep apnea diagnosed? Can it be treated? What additional health problems go off be caused if the disorder is untreated? All of these are vital questions. Most people have encountered sleep apnea, but many do not know the answers to these important questions, and knowing these answers may help save their own life or the life of a loved one.Sleep apnea syndrome is a sleeping disorder marked by clamant episodes of cessation of breathing, 10 seconds or longer, during sleep. During this time, the individuals oxygen level drops, resulting in hypoxemia and sleep disruption. (Bencosme, RDH, MA & Castellanos, RDH, MA, 2011) in that location is more than one type of sleep apnea, but the roughly common type is Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or O.S.A. This is a result of relaxation of the soft tissues around the airway in the rear portion of the throat, which cease the passage of air, causing obstruction. The cessation of breathing throughout the night disrupts sleep and causes wakeful episodes, as many as hundreds per hour of sleep. These disruptions cause the sufferer to climb the next morning feeling as if he or she did not sleep at all, and they are typically unaware that they actually did not sleep.There are several risk factors for developing sleep apnea. Those who are overweight, especially if considered to be obese or morbidly obese, and those who smoke have a overmuch higher risk for developing sleep apnea. Males have a higher te... ...n cause many other life-threatening illnesses. Evidence shows any case of OSA can become severe if not treated in a timely manner. Anyone with questions regarding this disorder should seek medical advice, because it could help save a life.Works CitedBencosme, RDH, MA, J., & Castellanos, RDH, MA, S. (2011). Sleep Apnea Syndrome. RDH, 76-77, 115.Berry, MSN, APRN, ACNP-BC, CCNS, CCRN, D. (2008). Case Study Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Medsurg Nursing, 11-6 quiz 17.Harrington, J. (2007). Sleep Apnoea. Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine, p. 1.Johns, M. W. (1991). A New Method for Measuring Daytime somnolence The Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Sleep, Vol 6, 540-545.KU Medical Center. (n.d.). Department of Respiratory Care Education. Retrieved from KU Medical Center http//classes.kumc.edu/cahe/respcared/cybercas/sleepapnea/trenpoly.html