Snoring, often laughed and joked about, can actually be a sign of a more serious condition. An estimated 10% to 30% of adults snore. Snoring indicates that your airway is not completely open and inhibits the transfer of air in and out of your lungs. The obstructions can occur at multiple sites throughout the upper airway, but often occurs behind the soft palate. As you fall asleep, muscles in your throat relax. For some individuals, this extra relaxation leads to the partial collapse of the upper airway. As the airway collapses it requires more effort to move air through the smaller passage creating a greater pull on the lateral walls of the throat leading to further airway collapse. This vicious cycle can lead to complete airway collapse and lead to a disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious, potentially life threatening disorder. An estimated 20 million Americans suffer from this disorder with approximately 90% remaining undiagnosed.

Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by repetitive collapse of the tissue in the upper airway lasting at least 10 seconds in duration per event. Snoring is often the precursor to upper airway collapse. As the airway becomes progressively smaller, the snoring becomes louder, and the individual pulls harder to continue moving the same amount of air until the airway is literally ñsuckedî closed. The event is much like drinking a thick milkshake through a straw. The harder you pull to move the shake the more negative pressure you create. Ultimately the straw collapses and closes off. These events can occur hundreds of times a night, significantly destroying the persons sleep quality leaving one tired and groggy throughout the day regardless of the amount of time ñasleepî in bed.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

· Loud, habitual snoring. The snoring may be loud enough to be heard down the hallway

· Pauses in breathing followed by loud gasps and rapid breathing

· Significant daytime sleepiness. The sleepiness may be so severe as to cause on to fall asleep in inappropriate and/or dangerous situations such as driving

· Morning Headaches

· Difficulty concentrating and poor memory

· Frequent urination at night

· High blood pressure

· Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

HOW IS OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA DIAGNOSED?

In addition to discussing your symptoms with your physician, further evaluation may be necessary in a local sleep disorder center.

Polysomnography is the term for the procedure(s) performed in evaluating a person suspected of suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. The procedure is performed as an overnight evaluation in the sleep center. The test is non-invasive and painless. Upon arriving to the sleep center, a technologist will show you to your room, explain the procedure, and monitor a variety of body functions during sleep to include: electrical activity of the brain, heart rate and rhythm, breathing, movements, snoring, and oxygen levels. The test collect approximately 800-1000 pages of data that is processed, scored, and evaluated by a physician with expertise in sleep medicine. It is necessary to collect all of this data as there are over 84 different sleep disorders that may affect a personÍs ability to sleep well.

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Innovative Sleep Solutions, LLC

262-0829 - 35670 Kenai Spur Hwy, Ste 103A, Soldotna