WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR SLEEP APNEA

Sleep apnea is a very serious disorder and is widespread across every country. Unfortunately there is lack of awareness about its prevalence. It mainly affects the middle aged overweight population of which almost four percent of men and two percent of women are sufferers.

It is always advisable to meet the physician when you or your partner experiences snoring and sudden jerky movements during sleep combined with constant choking and gasping for breath.

Especially snoring is loudest when a person sleeps on the back, and quietens down when slept on the sides. This problem will always be followed by sleepiness during the day time (hypersomnia) and irritability.

As the person had a highly disturbed sleep and had been deprived of deep sleep, the chances of him / her sleeping in the daytime will be high, and it could happen even with out their knowledge. When a person with apnea doses off in the day time, there will be no signs of yawing or tiredness. Their brain will immediately switch off the moment they sleep. A person who experiences such a problem is advised to immediate seek medical supervision.

For self checking, a "sleep log" is maintained, where the sleep pattern and sleep deprivation is noted. Persons with average scores obtained in "diagnostic criteria for obstructive sleep apnea" and a high score in the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) (which measures the level of sleep deprivation and sleepiness) are at a higher risk to develop sleep apnea. The tests mentioned above are of self rating nature. If the scores are not satisfactory, then immediate medical attention is necessary.

Snoring does not always have to be an indicator to sleep apnea. If it happens to be the case where snoring and gasping for breath is followed by excessive daytime sleepiness at inappropriate period of time then it is considered as an indicator of sleep apnea. Along with these conditions mentioned above heartburn, lethargy, inability to concentrate, frequent headaches can also exist at times.

If a child snores, attention of the pediatrician is immediately required. Children are also suceptible to obstructive sleep apnea. But sometimes the cause of snoring might be due to nose and throat problems, such as enlarged tonsils, and obesity.

If one or more conditions mentioned below holds good for the child then there are high chances that the child might develop or have already developed sleep apnea. The conditions are
- Does the child have a problem with breathing throughout the night?
- Does the child snore ?
- When the child sleeps on the sides does snoring reduce ?
- Does he/she wake up many times in the night and feels tired during the day?

All of the above combined with their activity schedule, academic reports and behavior pattern are to be taken into account while consideration the possibility of them suffering from sleep apnea. Early treatment to the problem could help the child sleep better and sound in the night.

Getting them good medical supervision will completely cure them from sleep apnea and help them to get a sound sleep; not the one that sounds of snoring !

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