It is not very often that a long-term study can conclusively state that lack of sleep can harm you, but this study does reflect that and more. It has also concluded that treating OSA slashes your daytime sleepiness by 45%. This is remarkable. Now, because of studies like this, individuals or employers who count on themselves or their team to be awake and alert will now pay more attention to how serious OSA can be. Most insurance carriers cover the diagnosis of OSA (getting a sleep study), but some restrictions may apply.

The way to determine if OSA is present, and to what extent, is by doing a PSG (Polysomnograph) analysis. This is a fairly simple test and is often done at home initially. If the home test shows serious issues, then the MD does a more advanced test at their in-office facility. The PSG generates a value called the AHI (Apnea Hypopnea Index) that describes how many times the patient stops breathing for more than 10 seconds, along with the times that breathing is slowed. This is not an exact science, and some doctors argue that AHI is an antiquated technique to measure the problem, but for now, this is what they have. Here is a quick review of the meaning of the numbers and the severity:

• None/Minimal AHI = <5 recorded events per hour
• Mild AHI = ≥ 5, but < 15 recorded events per hour
• Moderate AHI = ≥ 15, but < 30 recorded events per hour
• Severe AHI = ≥ 30 recorded events per hour

Back to the infamous, or soon-to-be-infamous, study. The Wisconsin Cohort Study also looked at death rates and concluded that cardiovascular mortality accounted for 26% of deaths for people who did not have SDB (Sleep Disordered Breathing), and the death rate for severe SDB was 42%. This is substantial. For those who had OSA and did not wear a CPAP, the death rate was significantly higher than for those who wore their CPAP. In other words, if your sleep MD dictates that you need a CPAP, then you need a CPAP! If you are CPAP intolerant, then you should discuss this with your MD. The conversation may lead to an alternative suggested use of a dental appliance to help keep the airway as open as possible. Generally, this is a great alternative for patients.

The study concluded that premature death occurred in severe OSA patients. Additionally, the estimate of a 3-fold greater odds of cardiovascular mortality may be underestimated when compared to community controls and patients without SDB. The death rate amongst those who did not use CPAP was significantly higher than that of patients who were dedicated to wearing the CPAP. The bottom line is that although many patients typically do not like the CPAP, it is keeping them alive, and that is what counts.

If you have OSA or symptoms, get it checked! You will likely be saving your own life or the life of a loved one. To learn more about OSA treatments in Falls Church, Virginia? Dr. Jeffrey Brown and our team at Sleep & TMJ Therapy are here to help. Please call 703-821-1103 today to book a reservation.

The post Untreated OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) Is More Serious Than We Thought first appeared on Sleep & TMJ Therapy.

If you snore or wake up gasping in the middle of the night, you really should consider having at least a HST-Home Sleep Test- done to see if you are in the range of sleep apnea. In most cases, you would do the home test to get the basic indicators to see if there is more of a problem than meets the eye. The test will reveal a number called the AHI-Apnea Hypopnea Index. If that number is between 0 and 5, there is a very low risk of apnea. If the number is over 15, then it is usually labeled as moderate to severe apnea. AHI refers to how many times you either stopped or slowed breathing each hour of the night.

The problem with sleep apnea is that your brain does not get enough oxidation to function properly. Often this can manifest as a morning headache. Other manifestations of apnea include cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and even some cancers. When the brain and body do not receive proper oxygen supply, systems in the body begin to shut down. This is when disease processes can set in and now you have to deal with daily meds for diabetes or high blood pressure. Many times, some of these meds prevent the good, deep sleep that we need for better health. Painkillers are notorious for allowing us to fall asleep, yet they prevent the deeper, restorative sleep that is critical to good health.

So, what are some of the warning signs that you might have sleep apnea? One clear sign of potential OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) is waking up with a headache regularly. This oftentimes means that your brain is not getting enough oxygen and it lets you know by making your head hurt when you first wake up. This is serious stuff – deal with it. Other indicators include restless legs and even gasping for air in the middle of the night. Your brain jolts you into waking up so that you can breathe and get some oxygen into the body. Other signs include waking with a dry mouth or even a sore throat.

A really strong sign of OSA is excessive daytime sleepiness. Again, your body is warning you of a potential problem and you really need to listen. Another symptom is trouble focusing during the day. As you can see, OSA is a serious problem and it’s wise to deal with it. Get the proper help you need from someone who understands sleep apnea. Please call our team in Falls Church, Virginia to schedule a visit with Dr. Brown. Call 703-821-1103 today!

The post Do You Have Sleep Apnea? first appeared on Sleep & TMJ Therapy.