SLEEP EDUCATION & CARE

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you snore loudly and feel tired after a full nights sleep, you might have sleep apnea. The main types of sleep apnea are: • Obstructive sleep apnea, the more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax obstructing your breathing • Central sleep apnea, which occurs when your brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing • Complex sleep apnea, occurs when someone has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition. Complications can include: • Daytime fatigue - The repeated awakenings associated with sleep apnea make normal, restorative sleep impossible, making severe daytime drowsiness, fatigue and irritability likely. You might have difficulty concentrating and find yourself falling asleep at work, while watching TV or even when driving. People with sleep apnea have an increased risk of motor vehicle and workplace accidents. You might also feel quick-tempered, moody or depressed. Children and adolescents with sleep apnea might perform poorly in school or have behavior problems. • High blood pressure or heart problems - Sudden drops in blood oxygen levels that occur during sleep apnea increase blood pressure and strain the cardiovascular system. Having obstructive sleep apnea increases your risk of high blood pressure (hypertension). Obstructive sleep apnea might also increase your risk of recurrent heart attack, stroke and abnormal heartbeats, such as atrial fibrillation. If you have heart disease, multiple episodes of low blood oxygen (hypoxia or hypoxemia) can lead to sudden death from an irregular heartbeat. • Type 2 diabetes - Having sleep apnea increases your risk of developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. • Complications with medications and surgery - Obstructive sleep apnea is also a concern with certain medications and general anesthesia. People with sleep apnea might be more likely to have complications after major surgery because they're prone to breathing problems, especially when sedated and lying on their backs. • Liver problems - People with sleep apnea are more likely to have abnormal results on liver function tests, and their livers are more likely to show signs of scarring (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease). • Sleep-deprived partners - Loud snoring can keep anyone who sleeps near you from getting good rest. It's not uncommon for a partner to have to go to another room, or even to another floor of the house, to be able to sleep.

Please note the only sure way of diagnosing sleep apnea is with a certified sleep test.

Belleville Sleep Centre conducts mainly at-home sleep studies which you carry out in the comfort of your own home in familiar surroundings, resulting in more comfortable and reliable results. The test is carried out over a single night. You will collect the equipment from the office at “Penrith”, Eleventh Avenue Belleville at an agreed time when we will show you how to attach the WatchPAT device and return it the next day. A range of other sleep tests can be arranged, including overnight pulse oximetry and formal polysomnograms.

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that needs to be treated. Your medical provider or a sleep doctor can help you select a treatment plan that is right for you. Lifestyle Changes There are a variety of lifestyle changes that can help you reduce your snoring and improve your sleep apnea symptoms. Behavioral changes such as quitting smoking or not drinking alcohol may improve sleep apnea symptoms. Alcohol relaxes your throat muscles that can cause you to snore or for your airway to collapse. If you have allergies, taking a decongestant before you go to bed may help improve airflow through your nose. Lifestyle changes may help in alleviating sleep apnea. They are recommended for patients with mild sleep apnea. Moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnea invariably requires more focused therapy. CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) CPAP is a machine that uses a steady stream of air to gently keep your airway open throughout the night so you are able to breathe. You sleep with a mask with a hose that is attached to a machine kept at the bedside. Masks and machines may vary depending on your treatment and comfort needs. CPAP is the frontline treatment for sleep apnea and is recommended for most patients. Oral Appliance Therapy An oral appliance is a device that fits in your mouth over your teeth while you sleep. Oral appliance therapy is recommended for patients with mild sleep apnea who cannot tolerate CPAP or simply prefer to try the oral appliance instead of a CPAP device. Generally this option is not available locally. Surgery Surgery is generally considered a last resort because of the complications and because it may not result in permanent improvement. Surgery involves the removal of the extra tissue in your throat that collapses and blocks your airway during sleep. More complex procedures can adjust your bone structures including the jaw, nose and facial bones. Weight Management In some cases weight loss can help improve or eliminate your sleep apnea symptoms if you are overweight or obese. Overweight people often have thick necks with extra tissue in the throat that may block the airway. There is no guarantee that losing weight will eliminate your sleep apnea, though it may help. Positional Therapy Positional therapy is a behavioral strategy to treat positional sleep apnea. Some people have sleep apnea primarily when sleeping on their back. Their breathing returns to normal when they sleep on their side. Positional therapy may involve wearing a special device around your waist or back. It keeps you sleeping in the side position.