Sleep Apnea update
Oct. 17th, 2003 11:11 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
javasaurusFinally got the results of my CPAP.
For those of you just entering the story, sleep apnea is when you don't breathe properly at night, so you never get into really deep sleep, which is necessary for proper focus and functioning during the day. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in May or June, took an initial sleep study to determine the level of severity (severe obstructed sleep apnea was the final diagnosis). This can be treated using a mask that blows air up your nose all night, keeping the airways open. This is called CPAP. If it doesn't work, the next thing to try is operating on the nose to increase the nasal cavity, and fix/remove obstructions (like deviated septums). After that, you get a tonsilectomy and a uvula-ectomy. Lets hope the CPAP works--I like my uvula.
I was told that in my first sleep study, I suffered arousal (no, not that kind!) about 120 times during the evening, and only 8% of the sleep was stage 3 or stage 4 (stage 4 is deep sleep, you get REM and dreams and good rest). That means I had to return to consciousness, or almost consciousness, once every 3 to 4 minutes on the average so I could breathe.
The second sleep study was the CPAP test, they fitted me with a mask, and found the right level of air pressure. Tests showed that I need "level 12" which is a LOT of air pressure, but it meant I got about 21% deep sleep. This would probably improve with continued use of the CPAP, and I would eventually be able to reduce the air pressure. Unfortunately, sleep apnea is usually a life-long problem which can lead to heart problems, difficulty focusing, staying awake, learning, remembering stuff, etc. I think I don't mind wearing a mask to bed. I wonder if![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
blueeowyn will mind having Darth Vader next to her at night...
For those of you just entering the story, sleep apnea is when you don't breathe properly at night, so you never get into really deep sleep, which is necessary for proper focus and functioning during the day. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in May or June, took an initial sleep study to determine the level of severity (severe obstructed sleep apnea was the final diagnosis). This can be treated using a mask that blows air up your nose all night, keeping the airways open. This is called CPAP. If it doesn't work, the next thing to try is operating on the nose to increase the nasal cavity, and fix/remove obstructions (like deviated septums). After that, you get a tonsilectomy and a uvula-ectomy. Lets hope the CPAP works--I like my uvula.
I was told that in my first sleep study, I suffered arousal (no, not that kind!) about 120 times during the evening, and only 8% of the sleep was stage 3 or stage 4 (stage 4 is deep sleep, you get REM and dreams and good rest). That means I had to return to consciousness, or almost consciousness, once every 3 to 4 minutes on the average so I could breathe.
The second sleep study was the CPAP test, they fitted me with a mask, and found the right level of air pressure. Tests showed that I need "level 12" which is a LOT of air pressure, but it meant I got about 21% deep sleep. This would probably improve with continued use of the CPAP, and I would eventually be able to reduce the air pressure. Unfortunately, sleep apnea is usually a life-long problem which can lead to heart problems, difficulty focusing, staying awake, learning, remembering stuff, etc. I think I don't mind wearing a mask to bed. I wonder if
blueeowyn will mind having Darth Vader next to her at night...
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2003-10-17 01:02 pm (UTC)Sirens
Train crossings
Snoring (mine, yours, cats)
Bells at the church across the street striking the hours
Vacuum cleaner
TV
etc. ...
Vader isn't going to be a problem after the first couple of nights. Now if I get tangled in Vader's tether, that might be a problem.
no subject
Date: 2003-10-17 01:58 pm (UTC)Trust me, if you get tangled in the tether, I'll find some way to wake you.
;)
sleep apnea
Date: 2003-10-17 03:27 pm (UTC)There've been quite a number of recent studies reaffirming that: there are a lot of old sayings about how one needs more food if one can't sleep, and it looks like it's true. Something about cortisol levels rising: so that means that taking care of the apnea should also help with cholesterol levels and make it easier to diet (ie, you don't feel hungry as often)
I've been putting the testing off, myself...
Re: sleep apnea
Date: 2003-10-17 04:50 pm (UTC)I didn't plan on getting tested when I did. I was at the ear/nose/throat doc because of the vocal nodules, and he sent me to the sleep clinic.
Common symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, chronic fatigue, falling asleep during the day, lack of focus, a stoppage of breathing while asleep (for up to a minute) followed by a sudden gasp/inhalation of air, strong muscle twitches while asleep. Risk factors include family history, being male, being overweight, obstructions in nasal/oral pathway (large uvula, enlarged tonsils, deviated septum). The biggy is the stopping of breath while asleep. It can stop multiple times each hour, and you might not even notice (you might not regain sufficient consciousness to remember it). Ask your hubby if he's noticed your breathing habits at night.