Information for Physicians
Referral Information
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
(OSAS)
More than 100 million Americans of all ages regularly fail to get a good night’s
sleep. This is more than one-third of the U.S. population. At least 84 percent
of sleep disorders lead to a lowered quality of life and reduced personal health.
Some sleep disorders can be life threatening.
Loud snoring can be a sign of something seriously wrong with patient
breathing during one-third of their life. Organ systems can be stressed
every day during sleep.
An estimated 10% to 30% of adults snore. For 5%, extremely loud nightly
snoring is the first indication of a potentially life threatening disorder:
obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).
OSAS most often strikes overweight men. A different throat structure
or levels of hormones may protect women. In later years, the gap between
the sexes narrows, although it never disappears completely.
Warning Signs of OSAS:
- Loud snoring. The snoring may be so loud that it rivals a jackhammer
and can be heard rooms away.
- A pattern of snoring interrupted by pauses, then gasps, reveals the
sleeper’s breathing stops and restarts.
- Falling asleep at inappropriate times, such as at work, at the movies
or while driving.
- Trouble concentrating, forgetfulness, irritability, depression or
loss of interest in sex. Men may complain of impotence and women may
have menstrual irregularities.
- Headaches and nausea upon awakening.
- Frequent nighttime urination or even bedwetting.
Alcohol, sleeping pills and tranquilizers taken at bedtime also reduce
muscle tone and can make the throat more likely to collapse. Some people
with OSAS may actually have more sleep disturbed sleep when they take
a sleeping pill.
Some consequences of untreated OSAS:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- Stroke
- Depression
Treatment of OSAS usually reverses these symptoms, and may help or prevent
consequences such as high blood pressure. In many cases, the benefits
of treatment are felt quickly after treatment begins.
General Treatment Measures:
- Normalize weight.
- Avoid alcohol within four hours of bedtime.
- Avoid sleeping pills.
- Take all drugs with care. Medication prescribed for headaches, anxiety
and other common problems can affect sleep and breathing.
- Sleep lying on your side or stomach.
- Medication to relieve congestion of the nose may be helpful in reducing
snoring and the likelihood of OSAS episodes.
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Sleep and Women
- More than 100 million Americans of all ages regularly fail to get a good
night’s sleep. This number is more than one-third of the US population.
At least 84 percent of sleep disorders lead to a lowered quality of life and
reduced personal health. Some sleep disorders can be life threatening.
- Loud snoring can be a sign of something seriously wrong with patient breathing
during one-third of their life. Organ systems can be stressed everyday during
sleep.
- An estimated 10% to 30% of adults snore. For 5%, extremely loud nightly
snoring is the first indication of a potentially life threatening disorder:
obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).
- Women are twice as likely as men to have difficulties falling asleep or
staying asleep. Physical factors, including arthritis, disorders of breathing
or hot flashes may disturb sleep and threaten female health. Stress, depression,
fear or other strong emotions may also disrupt sleep.
- Premenstrual symptoms, such as abdominal cramping, irritability, food cravings
and emotional changes can also directly affect women’s sleep. While these
sleep problems generally disappear a few days after menstruation begins, some
women who suffer more severe disturbances, increased tension and irritability
may experience lingering sleep problems and even chronic insomnia.
- Several factors influence the quality of sleep in postmenopausal women:
psychosocial environment, physical health and emotional state. The connection
between worry and insomnia may be obvious, but, at times, subtle signs and
concerns can be less visible in their influence on tension and insomnia.
- Insomnia is one of the most common symptoms of depression at any age. Getting
professional help and treatment for the depression can often solve the insomnia
problem.
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Epworth Sleepiness Scale
and Berlin Questionnaire
Please complete our contact us form to request
either of these forms be delivered to your office.
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