Sleep Apnea Could Be A Factor In Insomnia

Sleep apnea (also spelled apnoea) is disorder which has its route in sleep. It is where breathing is paused while sleeping. This can happen multiple times during the night, and lasts so that at least one breath is missed. This can then cause a disturbance in normal sleeping patterns which can lead a poor nights sleep. Sleep apnea can be diagnosed by taking a sleep test call a polysomnogram, these are also known as sleep studies. If this is the problem which is found to be causing the poor nights sleep then there are various methods which can be used to combat it. Sleep apnea can go undiagnosed for a long time as the sufferer does not necessarily know that it is happening, other than an extra level of tiredness which could easily be confused with other factors. It may sometimes be witnessed by others which are watching someone sleep, so this may a realistic cost effective solution to ask someone to watch while you sleep to see if they notice that. Generally the symptoms of sleep apnea include daytime sleepiness and fatigue.

What types of sleep apnea are there?

Generally if there are more than five episodes of sleep apnea in one night then it is considered that a patient has sleep apnea.

There are three types of sleep apnea:

  • Central - breathing is stopped briefly by there being a lack of effort by the respiratory system to breath.
  • Obstructive - breathing is interrupted by an actual physical blockage of the airflow, even though respiration was attempted.
  • Complex - a mixture of both central and obstructive sleep apnea.

What treatments are there for sleep apnea?

Use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)device

This device splints the airway open while sleeping, by using pressurized air which goes into the throat. A CPAP machine only helps on inhalation while a BiPAP machine helps on both inhale and exhale, and may be an option in the more severe cases. This is normally effective for obstructive sleep apnea.

Oral Appliance Therapy

This is a custom made device which is fit in the mouth and can be prescribed by a dentist who has experience with sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. The mouth piece displaces the lower jaw forward, this allows more opening of the airways and thus cuts down on the chance of sleep apnea occurring. It is generally successful on patients who have mild or moderate obstructive sleep apnea. This is normally effective for obstructive sleep apnea.

Specially shaped pillow or shirt

In the case of a mild obstructive sleep apnea a custom made pillow or a shirt could reduce the incidence of sleep apnea. The way that these work is by prodding the sleeper into getting into a sleeping position which is better for reduction of apnea, such as on the side instead of on the back or in a reclining position.

Changing sleeping position

Changing sleeping position may help in some cases, such as sleep on the side as opposed to the back.

Strengthening the airways

It has been found that learning and practicing with a didgeridoo helped with reducing sleep apnea, and also improved daytime sleepiness, the way this is working is hypothesised to be because the muscles of the upper airway are being strengthened.

Surgical options

It is possible to change the airway by means of surgery. It is possible to sort out various obstructs. These include the nasal passage, the base of tongue, the throat or the facial skeleton. As the obstruction location varies depending on the patient it is important for the procedure to be specific to the position of the blockage for that particular patient. It can be that multiple locations are providing blockage so these all may need to be sorted out. Here is a list of procedures which may be required.

  • Septoplasty and turbinate surgery to improve the nasal airway.
  • Tonsillectomy and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is can sort out a pharyngeal problem.
  • Advancing of the genial tubercle of the mandible to help with apnea coming from the lower pharynx
  • Hyoid bone myotomy
  • Suspension
  • Radiofrequency technologies.
  • Maxillomandibular advancement, or two-jaw surgery can help change the facial skeletal structure to stop the sleep apnea.
  • Shrink or stiffen the extra tissue which is causing the problem, stiffening can be accomplished by inserting stiff plastic.