Obstructive Sleep Apnea

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles and the tongue relax during sleep and partly or completely block the airway. The level of oxygen falls when the airway is closed. The fall in oxygen level alerts the brain of the threat, and the brain arouses the patient from sleep so the airway can be reopened. This cycle may be repeated dozens of times each hour during the night, resulting in disrupted, unrefreshing sleep. The patient may not be aware of the arousals.

Sleep Apnea is a serious medical condition which can cause or worsen

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease and stroke
• Fatigue related accidents
• Depression, irritability, and sexual dysfunction
• Learning and memory difficulties
• Problems with anesthesia and prolonged hospitalization

Risk Factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

• Excess weight
• Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
• Family history of OSA
• Male gender
• Older age
• Use of alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizers

Signs and Symptoms The most common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Loud snoring
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Observed episodes of breathing cessation during sleep
• Abrupt awakenings with shortness of breath
• Awakening with dry mouth or sore throat
• Morning headache

If you are experiencing these symptoms, make an appointment to discuss these problems with your physician. You may make an appointment to speak with one of our specialists by calling (859) 258-4NAP (4627).

What is a Sleep Study?

If your doctor suspects sleep apnea, he/she may recommend a test called a nocturnal polysomnogram (PSG) or sleep study, which can be performed overnight at the Lexington Clinic Sleep Center. Treatments for sleep and breathing disorders, such as sleep apnea, including the administration of CPAP and nocturnal oxygen and are frequently initiated during a PSG. Your doctor may recommend additional daytime studies, including the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) and the maintenance of wakefulness test (MWT) to quantify sleepiness and diagnose disorders of excessive sleepiness. All of our tests are performed by highly trained sleep technologists.

What to Expect When You Have a Sleep Study

The sleep technician will apply electrodes to monitor the quality of your sleep and your sleep complaints. Preparation will consist of several electrodes being taped and pasted to the skin of the face and scalp. Brain waves, breathing patterns, heart rhythms, blood oxygen levels, eye movements, and leg movements will be recorded. The preparation time will take 30-45 minutes. This is generally a painless procedure.