Ways of Diagnosing Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder that affects the human
mind and body. It is a sleeping disorder that is related to
the "lack of breath" during sleeping. There are many people
who have the disorder but don't realize that they have it.

Sleep apnea can be caused by several factors such as
respiratory infection, brain nerve problems, heart problems
and anxiety. Basically, there are two different kinds of
sleep apnea: central sleep apnea and the obstructive sleep
apnea. The basic difference between the two is that a person
is bound to stillness during episodes (he does not make
breathing motions) of central sleep apnea because the brain
literally forgets to breathe while a person continues to
make breathing movements in obstructive sleep apnea.

There are treatments for sleep apnea, the problem is that
people neglect the fact that they feel very groggy during
the day and don't know about the condition that is sleep
apnea.

If you are feeling the following symptoms, you should go to
the doctor and talk to him about diagnosing you for sleep
apnea:

-If you snore really loud

-If you choke during the night

-If you have headaches when you wake up in the morning

-If you have difficulty memorizing small amounts of
information or if you find learning difficult in general

-If you always feel irritable during the day

-If you find it difficult to concentrate on what you are
doing

-If you have mood swings all the time

-If you urinate frequently during nighttime

-If you have a very dry throat after you wake up


There are several ways of diagnosing sleep apnea. We shall
try to discuss three of them: the sleep recording test, the
sleep strip and the multiple sleep latency.

Sleep recording test

One of the most common ways of diagnosing sleep apnea is
through a sleep-recording test. A sleep recording test is
done in a hospital (in one of their sleep centers) where one
is asked to sleep while his heart rate, brain activity,
muscle movements, eye movements, blood oxygen percentage and
the amount of air that moves around his lungs are monitored.
There is no pain that is associated with a sleep-recording
test. A sleeping specialist will diagnose your condition and
give treatment recommendations. A sleep-recording test can
be quite expensive and can cost around 2,000 US dollars.

Sleep Strip

An alternative way of diagnosing sleep apnea is through a
sleep strip. Think of the sleep strip as a home pregnancy
test. It has a mini-computer that records and measures the
amount of air that enters and exits the lungs. It is said
that the results from a sleep strip test is 98% as accurate
as the results from a sleep-recording test. The good thing
about using sleep strips is that it will save you a lot of
money. While the sleep-recording test costs around 2,000
dollars, the sleep strip will cost only 600-700 US dollars.
It is also very easy to use. One wears the strip on the nose
for one night and the diagnosis is already done.

Multiple Sleep Latency

The multiple sleep latency test is a test that is usually
given after an overnight sleep test. It is used to
complement the results of a sleep test. The same factors
such as the heart rate, brain waves, muscle and eye
movements are recorded and measured during the test.

During the day of the testing, the patient will not be
allowed to drink any substance that has caffeine. He will be
connected to computers by the use of metal discs, which will
record the activities in his body. The physician will then
ask several questions to the patient and he will then be
asked to be in a private room. Monitoring will be done every
20 minutes for each couple of hours. The results of the
multiple sleep latency test are used and compared with the
sleep test.

If one feels or suspects that he has the symptoms of sleep
apnea, he should not waste any time and get himself
diagnosed. Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can even
lead to death.

Restless-Leg Syndrome May Signal Other Illnesses

According to a survey by the U.S. National Sleep Foundation, nearly 10
per cent of North Americans -- 11 per cent of women and 8 per cent of
men -- suffer from restless-leg syndrome.

Restless-leg syndrome -- the relentless fidgeting that plagues some
people -- is more than a bother, it can portend serious psychiatric and
physical illnesses, a new survey suggests. Symptoms of RLS occur during
periods of inactivity. The overwhelming urge to move is often
accompanied by uncomfortable tingling and aching, sometimes described as a
'toothache of the legs.' (However, RLS can also affect the arms or the
trunk.)

It is thought that an iron deficiency in parts of the brain that
control movement, called the substantia nigra, the caudate nucleus and the
putamen, may impair the ability of brain cells to make the
neurotransmitter dopamine. The result is creepy-crawly sensations in the legs and the
urge to move the legs. These symptoms come on with rest or immobility
and are relieved -- transiently -- by movement.
The Sleep Foundation poll showed that many with RLS have other serious
health problems and poor health behaviours. Sleep apnea and insomnia
appear to be linked to restless-leg syndrome, which is not surprising.
But so, too, are depression, anxiety, gastroesophageal reflux disease,
arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking and unemployment.

For those with low iron levels -- such as people with blood disorders
or women with heavy menstrual periods -- the condition can be treated
with iron supplements.

For others, researchers suggest losing weight, quitting smoking,
limiting intake of medications, reducing or eliminating alcohol and caffeine
from your diet, exercising and undergoing tests to determine if there
is an underlying treatable cause of RLS.

Treating Insomnia Starting Now

Treating Insomnia

Insomnia can be easily defined as the inability to sleep or to sleep
through the night. Half of all adults reported having difficulty
sleeping, but less than 10 percent discuss the issue with their doctor.
Temporary insomnia, due to stress or over-stimulation, can be largely avoided.

However, chronic insomnia can be much harder to overcome, and can lead
to immune system suppression, depression, fatigue, heart disease and
headaches.

When treating insomnia, diet should be the first consideration. Foods
that are high in tryptophan should be eaten at dinner. Tryptophan is a
chemical that stimulates serotonin, which helps you sleep. Tuna, turkey,
chicken, unsweetened yogurt, soy products and whole grain crackers are
good sources that are also low in sugar.

Foods to avoid start with caffeine. Avoid all caffeine for eight hours
before you go to sleep. While for many this may seem an extreme
lifestyle change, for the insomniac it is absolutely necessary. Alcohol,
while it may produce a feeling of drowsiness, is disruptive to sleep,
so avoid it at least two hours before bedtime.

If the above tips provide no relief for chronic insomnia, the following
natural products may be of help. They can be purchased at most health
food stores.

Melatonin: Hormone that promotes sleep

Valerian: Herb with sedative properties

Calcium/Magnesium: Minerals that help relax the nervous system

Vitamin B12: Deficiency may contribute to insomnia

5-Hydroxytryptophan: Promotes serotonin production (do not use
concurrently with prescription antidepressants)

PassionFlower: Relaxes the nervous system without causing drowsiness
upon waking

Keeping a routine is important when dealing with insomnia. Go to bed at
the same time every night, and wake up the same hour in the morning.
Try not to change your routine on off days or weekends. Sleep in a dark
room with a cool temperature. Finally, exercise every day, if only
for a few minutes. Those who exercise regularly report getting better
sleep than those that don?t.

Negative Effects of Sleep Apnea

Again, there are basically two different types of sleep
apnea: the central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea.

Central sleep apnea

Central sleep apnea is a condition where the brain literally
forgets to breathe when sleeping. The breathing, in short,
is becomes intermittent. It stops and then it starts again.
When a person has central sleep apnea, he will not struggle
during the apnea episode, nor will he move his respiratory
muscles. He will just be there, in stillness. After the
episode is over, the person's breathing will most likely
become faster so as to compensate for the lack of oxygen in
the blood for a short period of time.

We all know that the brain needs a continuous influx of
oxygen to be able to function properly and to survive. A few
minutes without oxygen and the brain can start developing
permanent damage, or worse, the person can die.

In common cases, central sleep apnea is really not a
life-threatening disorder, but it can still cause death. The
chronic disorder can cause some pretty nasty effects on the
body. When the body does not receive enough oxygen, it will
suffer from serious damage. The effects of the disorder
would really depend on the duration of the lack of oxygen.
The longer the body does not breathe, the worse the effects.

When blood oxygen drops significantly and abruptly, seizures
can occur. It is well known that seizures only occur to
people who have epilepsy, but they can occur with the
presence of sleep apnea.

Other serious detrimental effects such as arrhythmias,
angina and even heart attacks can occur to people who suffer
from central sleep apnea. If central sleep apnea is not
treated for a long period of time, the lack of oxygen and
the excess carbon dioxide can lead to changes in the pH
levels of the blood and can cause metabolic acidosis, a
condition that can lead to death or a coma.

Obstructive sleep apnea

The other major type of sleep apnea is what we refer to as
obstructive sleep apnea. It is a kind of sleep apnea, which
is caused by an obstruction of the functions of the airways
in the human body. The human body's airways normally relax
as we go into a deeper stage of sleep. If the relaxation
results in an obstruction of the breathing, the body reacts
by going to a lighter stage of sleep.

Many people experience obstructive sleep apnea, especially
the obese. It is estimated that one out of five Americans
suffer from the disorder. People who have respiratory
infections can also suffer from the disorder because of
nasal obstruction, swelling of the muscles along the throat
area and neck and other such conditions. Most people suffer
from mild obstructive sleep apnea.

The main difference between central sleep apnea and
obstructive sleep apnea is that in the case of the latter,
the person continues to make the breathing movements through
his muscles. However, the effects of obstructive sleep apnea
to the body is very much similar to that of central sleep
apnea

Effects on the Mind

We have discussed the effects of sleep apnea in general to
the human body, but it also affects the mind. If a person
has sleep apnea, he is most likely to feel very stressed out
during the whole day. A person is recommended to sleep
around 8 hours every night. Indeed, for most adults, having
an 8-hour sleep is almost impossible. For some, five hours
of sleep is enough, provided that the sleep is continuous
and not interrupted. A person who has sleep apnea suffers
from intermittent sleep, which lowers down the efficiency of
the sleeping process in relaxing the body. He will feel
groggy and grumpy the whole day after an episode happened.

These are some of the negative effects of sleep apnea on the
human mind and body. If you suspect that you have sleep
apnea, it is best to consult a doctor to be able to get the
proper treatment.

Sleeping Disorders: When Surgery is Deemed Necessary

There are times when one's sleeping disorders reaches the
extreme level that the doctor resorts to surgical
operations. And for that, he has a range of options. Today,
there are different ways to surgically treat sleeping
disorders. But of course, as the medical professional, he is
tasked to select the best possible cure for it.

For you to know more about the different procedures that can
be done here is a detailed list, which includes a short
description of each and an explanation as to how it is
performed.

1. Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty. This procedure is quite
aggressive. It actually involves the process of an excising
the uvula, which could be obstructing the airways in the
throat. The uvula is usually the reason why some people
snore when they sleep.

This procedure requires the use of local anesthesia. After
which, a carbon dioxide laser is utilized to make the
necessary incisions. The main goal is to shorten the uvula.
To complete the whole process, multiple sessions of about 10
minutes each are required.

2. Tracheostomy. Tracheostomy is somewhat more complicated
than uvulopalatoplasty. If uvulopalatoplasty will remove the
uvula, Tracheostomy is performed to cut through the trachea,
or a person's windpipe.

After the incision is made, a tube is inserted so that air
can pass through. Doing so will also remove the unnecessary
secretions. With the tube inserted, breathing is not done
through the nose or the mouth anymore. It will then be
through the tube.

3. Radio frequency Ablation. Radio frequency Ablation or RFA
is conducted in a person with sleeping disorders as well,
even though this procedure is otherwise popular to be used
for the heart. To cure sleeping disorders, it is tasked to
reduce the size of the palate tissue.

The procedure is called RFA of the soft palate. To perform
it, a certain amount of radio frequency energy is aimed at
the palate. To do it, an electrode device is used. The
procedure can be a little painful and intrusive, and so a
topical local anesthesia is required.

4. Mandibular Myotomy. Mandibular Myotomy involves the
cutting a part of the bone on the front section of the jaws;
doing that will pull the tongue forward for about 6 to 10
mm. The procedure is sure to eliminate one's sleeping
disorders.

This procedure was crafted and was further researched and
studied by Dr. Robert W. Riley and Dr. Nelson Powell. They
are bona fide members Stanford University's Sleep Disorder
Center. The operation may require general anesthesia before
it can be performed.

5. Uvulopalatopharyngolasty. Uvulopalatopharyngolasty or
simply UPPP involves the removal of the uvula. Along with
it, excess tissues are detached as well. It is a form of
surgery given to people who cannot tolerate nasal Continuous
Positive Airway Pressure or CPAP.

Although this is regarded to be equally effective as the
other surgical process, only 50% of the people who had
undergone the procedure were really benefited. Other
patients claim that it only partially help or had failed to
help entirely.

6. Genioglossus and Hyoid Advancement. Genioglossus is a
fan-shaped muscle that forms most of the tongue. The Hyoid
bone, on the other hand, is part of the neck that supports
the tongue's roots.

These two parts of the mouth are advanced, or are adjusted
mildly, for about 10 to 14 millimeters. The result is that
the tongue become stretched a little and becomes less floppy
while sleeping. The procedure is done only under general
anesthesia.

7. Diathermy Palatoplasty. Diathermy Palatoplasty is also
referred to as Diathermy Palatal Reduction. The procedure
can be performed right at the doctor's office. It calls for
lesions to be created in the palates. That, in turn, is
achieved by using radio frequencies. When the scar forms,
the tissues are slowly absorbed; thus making the air passage
larger.

These are the most common surgical methods of treating
sleeping disorders. These surgical methods are performed by
administering anesthesia, making incisions, and using
intrusive medical devices mostly on the mouth.

It is then very important that you ensure you are in the
hands of a medical professional during the treatment.
Sleeping disorders are not always simple problems,
considering all these procedures that one has to go through
to correct it.

Insomnia And The Workplace

Today we'll examine the cause and effect relationship between insomnia
and the workplace.

First, a study detailing how employers and their bottom line are
affected by insomnia, second, a brief study suggesting one way in which an
employers? actions can cause sleep problems in their employees.

Employees who suffer from insomnia have a significantly higher rate of
absence at work than those who sleep well, according to a study
published in the February 1 issue of the journal Sleep.

Results show that 50 percent of employees who suffer from insomnia have
at least one time of absence from work over a two- year period,
compared with only 34 percent of good sleepers.

Insomniacs also miss an average of 5.8 days of work per year, while
good sleepers miss only 2.4 days.

Occasional insomnia affects as many as one-third of U.S. adults, while
chronic insomnia affects up to 12% of U.S. adults.

The work absences of employees with insomnia cost an average of $3,025
per employee each year, while the missed days of good sleepers cost an
average of $1,250.

The study group consisted of 369 workers with insomnia and 369 good
sleepers who were matched for age, sex, occupational category and type of
employer.

The next study from the Ohio State University found that nurses whose
pay was cut suffered insomnia.

Jerald Greenberg, a professor of management and human resources at Ohio
State's Fisher College of Business, was working with four hospitals on
another study when he found that nurses at two of the hospitals were
about to have their pay cut by a switch from being hourly to salaried
employees.

He received permission to study the effects of the cut, which was
phased in.

Of the 467 nurses studied, insomnia was ?significantly greater? in
those having their pay cut than among those who did not.

Greenberg said that nurses with untrained supervisors continued to have
higher levels of insomnia months after the pay cut, although the
insomnia improved somewhat with the passage of time.

While the results of these studies may seem obvious to many, they
nonetheless underscore the relationship of quality sleep and a harmonious
and productive work environment.