Today at Wellington Beds we’re taking a look at sleep apnea, a condition which can be serious if left untreated. Sleep apnea is a common disorder that affects a range of people, but it is most commonly diagnosed in men aged over 40 and overweight adults. The condition causes regular pauses in breathing while asleep (or shallow breathing while asleep) leading to a lack of oxygen. These pauses can last from a couple of seconds to whole minutes, and they may occur more than 20 times an hour. After a pause, normal breathing usually resumes, often accompanied by a snort or choking noise.

There are two main types of sleep apnea. The first is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This is the most common kind, and is caused by a blockage of the airway. It usually occurs when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep.

The second is Central Sleep Apnea (CSA). During this condition the airway is not actually blocked, but the brain repeatedly fails to send signals to the muscles telling them to breathe. It is caused by some form of instability in the respiratory control center.

In order to definitively diagnose either kind of sleep apnea, a sleep study must be conducted by qualified professionals at a sleep lab. Usually the test will require the patient to stay overnight, unless special equipment is brought to their home instead. The study generates a record of brain activity monitored over several hours of sleep, usually about six. These records include an EEG, an EOG, an EKG, and additional monitors that detect oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood. Leg or limb movement may also be studied. None of these devices are painful for the patient. The testing procedure as a whole is called a ‘polysomnography’.

When completed, the study will produce an apnea-hypopnea index, or AHI. A hypopnea is a constricted breath that lasts for 10 seconds or more. The AHI number will tell the patient how many sleep apneas and hypopneas he or she experiences each hour. Having an AHI of 5-15 is considered a mild sleep apnea condition, 15-30 is moderate, and 30 or more is a severe case of obstructive sleep apnea and very dangerous.

This may sound a little complicated and intimidating, but diagnosing suspected sleep apnea is very important. Sleep apnea is a serious condition which can cause a wide range of connected health problems. It affects as many as one in four middle-aged men, and is a contributing factor to high blood pressure, strokes, heart failure, diabetes, depression and memory loss. If you or a loved one suspects you suffer from sleep apnea, getting a diagnosis and swift treatment could well be worth the cost.

And whether or not you suffer from sleep apnea or any other sleep condition, you’ll want to ensure you’re getting the most comfortable sleep possible every night. Our team at Wellington Beds are experts and finding the right mattress for your body’s individual needs. Disrupted sleep in general causes a wide range of health problems, so for your own well being make sure you’re getting the best sleep possible by talking to our friendly team today.