Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Table of contents:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Video: Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Video: Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Video: Obstructive Sleep Apnoea 2024, March
Anonim

Obstructive sleep apnea

Sleep-related breathing disorders (SBAS) include various symptoms - with and without obstruction - that is, with or without obstruction of the (upper) airways. Those affected experience shallow breathing and pauses in breathing. Best known in common parlance is obstructive sleep apnea (also: OSA, respiratory disorders with obstruction) in adults. In addition to this, there are other sleep disorders (e.g. central sleep apnea or a combination of both, etc.).

navigation

  • Continue reading
  • more on the subject
  • Advice, downloads & tools
  • What are the symptoms?
  • How is the diagnosis made?
  • How is the treatment carried out?
  • Whom can I ask?
  • How are the costs going to be covered?

What are the symptoms?

During sleep, those affected regularly experience shallow breathing (hypopnea) and breathing pauses (apneas). In addition, patients with obstructive sleep apnea snore in the vast majority of cases.

Breathing pauses during nighttime sleep can have serious consequences. Stopping breathing can lead to an insufficient supply of oxygen. The restfulness of sleep and the quality of life suffer as a result. The cessation of breathing leads to a break in sleep. This can prevent deep sleep. However, this is necessary for optimal restful sleep. Increased daytime sleepiness or tiredness occurs with obstructive sleep apnea. The risk of accidents increases (e.g. microsleep when driving a car).

General restlessness and profuse sweating during the night are also associated with obstructive sleep apnea. Snoring is often loud and erratic. The partner's sleep quality is also disturbed accordingly. Concern for the person concerned is a burden. One of the most important risk factors for a breathing disorder with obstruction is being very overweight (obese). Abnormalities in the area of the mouth and throat are possible causes. The risk of cardiovascular problems (heart attack, stroke, etc.) is increased.

Certain illnesses, the use of medication or substance abuse can also lead to discomfort or intensify symptoms.

How is the diagnosis made?

The doctor conducts an anamnesis interview. This includes sleep, symptoms (e.g. snoring), lifestyle (e.g. alcohol consumption), work situation (e.g. shift work) and much more. The determination of the BMI and the medication intake are also essential. The partner can also be included in the anamnesis.

The diagnosis also includes

  • clinical or physical examinations,
  • the clarification of concomitant diseases (e.g. arterial hypertension, heart failure, COPD),
  • Polygraphy (outpatient monitoring, recording at home at night) and
  • Polysomnography (PSG).

In the course of the examinations, for example, laboratory values (e.g. blood count, blood sugar, thyroid values, etc.) are determined, and X-ray examinations of the chest, skull and an EKG can be performed.

Obstructions of nasal breathing due to peculiarities of the nose, large tonsils or shifting back of the jaw can be reasons for the hindrance of breathing and are clarified. Special examinations such as video endoscopy (under sedation), pharyngosophageal pressure measurement and snoring noise analysis can be carried out.

So-called respiratory arousals (RERA) are important for the diagnosis. The doctor can use the diagnosis to identify or rule out obstructive sleep apnea and differentiate it from other sleep disorders.

For information on testing in the sleep laboratory, see Polysomnography.

How is the treatment carried out?

The therapy is tailored to the patient. It can be based on several therapeutic approaches. The doctor determines whether and which measures are (must) be taken. Decisive for this are the individual symptoms of the person affected, the extent of the respiratory disorder and concomitant diseases of the person concerned. Sometimes, for example, it is sufficient to carry out a follow-up check. In addition to the treatment of comorbidities or other additional sleep disorders, the following treatment options can be used:

  • Ventilation therapy (CPAP therapy - nasal positive pressure ventilation using a nasal mask),
  • Reduction in body weight,
  • Change in behavior (e.g. avoiding sleeping pills, avoiding alcohol consumption in the evening, adequate sleep hygiene),
  • apparatus-based procedures (muscle stimulation, prevention of supine position, intraoral applicators / mandibular protrusion splints),
  • Operations (e.g. nose, palate, jaw),
  • possibly nocturnal oxygen therapy.

Usually the suffering is great among those affected. Many of those affected snore.

Note Snoring as the only symptom is often - at least medically speaking - harmless (primary snoring). However, it can be a symptom of a sleep disorder or illness.

For more information, see

  • Snoring and
  • in the brochures Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea of the DGSM.

Whom can I ask?

The first point of contact is often in the established area

  • the family doctor.
  • Resident doctors from various disciplines (e.g. pulmonology, cardiology, ENT) are also involved.

Doctors specializing in sleep medicine can be involved in diagnosis and therapy.

The care can take place in a sleep laboratory. You can find an overview of sleep laboratories on the ÖGSM website.

How are the costs going to be covered?

The costs for a doctor's visit to clarify a sleep disorder are normally covered by the social security agencies. Treatment of sleep disorders also takes place in sleep laboratories. For these consultations, the costs are generally covered in full.

For information on the respective provisions, please contact your health insurance provider, which you can find on the social security website.

Recommended: