|
Sleep Apnea Awareness Day Recognized by Livingston, N.J. -- A day devoted to raising the awareness about the symptoms of sleep apnea and the importance of treatment will take place March 31, during National Sleep Awareness Week 2005. Sleep Apnea, or Sleep Disordered Breathing, is a common problem where patients actually stop breathing while asleep, generally for more than five times per hour and for longer than 10 seconds per occasion. Sleep apnea can occur from obstructed airflow, or from a problem with the central nervous system. “A drop in oxygen alerts the brain to a problem, and the brain kicks the person out of deep sleep into a more shallow sleep,” says John Penek, M.D., FCCP, of The Kazmir Center for Sleep Disorders at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. “Most patients with sleep apnea have not slept properly in decades.” Sleep Apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep, which can result in both sleep disturbances and reduced oxygen delivery to vital organs. Common symptoms include snoring, daytime sleepiness, weight gain, and un-refreshing sleep. While everyone who snores does not have sleep apnea, a recent study conducted by the National Sleep Foundation, found that more than one-third of America’s adults reported they snored frequently, a problem more prevalent among men than women. “While patients may not wake up during the episodes, the quality of their sleep is poor. This can lead to symptoms such as sleepiness during the day, lack of energy, memory problems and can manifest as a mood disorder,” says Mangala Nadkarni, M.D., Medical Director of The Kazmir Center for Sleep Disorders at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. “Patients with severe sleep apnea are more likely to have high blood pressure that is difficult to treat, heart attacks and strokes. They are also likely to get involved in motor vehicle accidents.” A diagnosis of sleep apnea is made through a medical history and an overnight evaluation at the Kazmir Center for Sleep Disorders. The general treatment involves the use of a C-PAP (continuous positive airway pressure), a breathing device that keeps the airway free of collapse. A weight loss program and possible referral to an ear, nose and throat specialist may be recommended, depending on the severity of the condition. The Kazmir Center for Sleep Disorders offers a full range of services used in the evaluation, diagnosis and management of sleep-related disorders in adults and children. The Center is equipped with the latest in monitoring equipment, providing the opportunity for daytime testing and full overnight sleep studies. For more information about sleep disorders or The Kazmir Center for Sleep Disorders at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, please call Date: March 4, 2005 [ top ] |
|
|||||||||
