Sleep, so important, yet so elusive

Sleep, many times a very elusive entity, is a problem for many in society.  I see patients everyday with sleep apnea.  I don't treat sleep apnea.  I am an anesthesiologist who deals, fortunately on a very short term basis, with all of the chronic debilitating disease of our way of life.  Aside from the usual manifestations of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) such loud snoring, daytime somnolence, irritability which by the way can be deadly as sleep deprivation on the roads is at epidemic proportions, the long term consequences of OSA can be deadly. 

Sleep apnea most frequently is cause by repetitive episodes of complete obstruction of the airway during sleep.  It is frequently preceded by loud snoring (partial obstruction) that progressively gets less and less until there is no snoring (complete obstruction) for a period of time.  The individual has no idea this is happening.  Only their significant other know for sure.  After a variable period of apnea due to complete obstruction and no air movement (you need air movement to snore), the airway unobstructs itself fortunately allowing you to live yet another day of sleepiness and irritability.  This has destroyed many a marriage but that is not the real problem. 

During these periods of OSA which can happen many time per hour all night long day in and day out, the body's oxygenation level drops.  What that does to your brain is a whole other discussion.  There more common manifestations due to the repetitative stress of hypoxemia (low oxygen content) in the blood is high blood pressure.  Most people with obstructive sleep apnea have hypertension.  In fact, if the OSA is adequately treated, or better yet prevented, the high blood pressure frequently goes away.  Ultimately his high blood pressure will damage organs.  One of the vitals organs that can succumb to this repetitive stress is the heart.  Untreated sleep apnea can and will eventually lead to heart failure.

This epidemic of OSA is directly correlated to the epidemic in obesity in this country.  Obesity leads to obstructive sleep apnea.  Loss the weight and you will no doubt sleep much better and feel much better during the day.  If this sounds too familiar I encourage you to seek medical advice for this condition as it will result in chronic illness and an early demise.