Sleep Apnea — Overview, Symptoms, Treatments, and Other Resources.
Information on Sleep Apnea from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. These episodes usually last 10 seconds or more and occur repeatedly throughout the night. People with sleep apnea will partially awaken as they struggle to breathe, but in the morning they will not be aware of the disturbances in their sleep. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), caused by relaxation of soft tissue in the back of the throat that blocks the passage of air. Central sleep apnea (CSA) is caused by irregularities in the brain’s normal signals to breathe. Most people with sleep apnea will have a combination of both types. More at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH.
Information on Sleep Apnea from the American Academy of Family Physicians
What is sleep apnea? Is sleep apnea common? How do I know if I have sleep apnea? Is sleep apnea dangerous? Is there anything I can do to help my sleep apnea? How is sleep apnea treated? Will this problem change my life? Find the answers at the American Academy of Family Physicians website.
Sleep Apnea at the University of Maryland Medical Center
An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of obstructive sleep apnea at UMMC.
Sleep apnea: Essentials at Consumer Reports
What is it? What are the symptoms? How common is it? What will happen? Key points about treatments at Consumer Reports.
Test Your Sleep IQ
Take an interactive quiz at the National Center on Sleep Disorders.
Video: What happens during obstructive sleep apnea?
Information on obstructive sleep apnea from MayoClinic.com.
Driving When You Have Sleep Apnea
National Highway Transportation Safety Administration brochure on safety issues associated with driving when you have a diagnosis of sleep apnea
Diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in adults.
GUIDELINE OBJECTIVE(S): To increase the percentage of patients 18 and older who are diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) through a sleep study evaluation; To increase the percentage of patients with OSA who have received appropriate treatment according to guideline; To improve positive airway pressure device (PAP) treatment adherence rate for those who are diagnosed with OSA; To increase patient understanding of the health risk factors related to OSA. See National Guideline Clearinghouse major recommendations.
Practice parameters for the medical therapy of obstructive sleep apnea.
GUIDELINE OBJECTIVE(S): To provide recommendations regarding the use of medical therapy (defined as therapies other than modification of upper airway patency with devices or surgical interventions) for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). See National Guideline Clearinghouse major recommendations.
Practice parameters for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea with oral appliances: an update for 2005.
GUIDELINE OBJECTIVE(S): To reissue, modify, and, if necessary, replace recommendations for the use of oral appliances in the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea based on the scientific literature published since 1995. See National Guideline Clearinghouse major recommendations.
Practice parameters for the use of autotitrating continuous positive airway pressure devices for titrating pressures and treating adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: an update for 2007.
GUIDELINE OBJECTIVE(S): To present updated recommendations for using auto-titrating positive airway pressure (APAP) to determine the need for or to provide treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). See National Guideline Clearinghouse major recommendations.
Abstract: Risk and severity of motor vehicle crashes in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea.
Obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea (OSAH) appears to be associated with an increased risk of motor vehicle crashes (MVCs). However, its impact on crash patterns, particularly the severity of crashes, has not been well described. A study was undertaken to determine whether OSAH severity influenced crash severity in patients referred for investigation of suspected sleep-disordered breathing. See Abstract at PubMed.
Abstract: Sleep-disordered breathing and mortality: a prospective cohort study.
Sleep-disordered breathing is a common condition associated with adverse health outcomes including hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The overall objective of this study was to determine whether sleep-disordered breathing and its sequelae of intermittent hypoxemia and recurrent arousals are associated with mortality in a community sample of adults aged 40 years or older. Full text available free through PubMed.
Abstract: Pressure modification for improving usage of continuous positive airway pressure machines in adults with obstructive sleep apnoea.
BACKGROUND: Continuous Positive Airways Pressure (CPAP) is considered to be the cornerstone of therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). However, compliance with this treatment is frequently poor, which may lead to ongoing symptoms of sleep disruption, daytime sleepiness and poor waking cognitive function. Mechanical interventions which involve changing the way that positive pressure is delivered, and the addition of humidification, might improve compliance. See Abstract at PubMed.
Abstract: A randomized study on the effect of weight loss on obstructive sleep apnea among obese patients with type 2 diabetes: the Sleep AHEAD study.
BACKGROUND: The belief that weight loss improves obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has limited empirical support. The purpose of this 4-center study was to assess the effects of weight loss on OSA over a 1-year period. See Abstract at PubMed.
Abstract: Effects and Side-Effects of Surgery for Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea – A Systematic Review
Many patients undergo surgery for snoring and sleep apnea, although the efficacy and safety of such procedures have not been clearly established. Our aim was systematically to review studies of the efficacy and adverse effects of surgery for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Full text available free through PubMed.
Abstract: Updated systematic review of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for treatment of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.
BACKGROUND: Female sexual dysfunction is vastly under-recognized but has been previously described in chronic disease states. Sexual dysfunction in male patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is well described, but not in females. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in women with OSA.
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