IONA NURSE NEWS
April 2025
What s Sleep Apnea?
Sleep Apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder where your breathing is interrupted while you sleep. Your breathing is disrupted when your airway collapses. This is characterized by loud snoring and episodes of your breathing stopping for 10 to 30 seconds or may be longer, these apneas can happen a dozen or hundred times each night.
Signs and symptoms of sleep apnea
Family members or bed partners often pick up on the signs of sleep apnea first. Many people with sleep apnea don’t know they’re snoring and gasping for breath at night. If you have any of the following signs, see your doctor:
- daytime sleepiness
- loud snoring followed by silent pauses
- gasping or choking during sleep
- morning headache
- irritability or mood changes
- poor concentration or memory loss
- lowered sex drive
- falling asleep while driving
- difficulty staying asleep
- awaking with a dry mouth
Untreated sleep apnea can cause serious health problems. If it’s not treated, sleep apnea can lead to:
- high blood pressure
- stroke
- heart attack
- motor vehicle collisions
- depression
- decreased sexual function
- work-related injuries
Currently, there is no cure for sleep apnea; but the good news is that it is completely treatable. With the right steps, you can manage the symptoms, sleep better, and keep your health strong.
Treatment:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Sleep on your side
- Avoid alcohol and sleeping pills
- Get moving
- Stop smoking
- Stick to a regular sleep schedule
- The most common treatment is using a breathing device like a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine
- Staying consistent with using your machine nightly
Anyone can develop this condition. It affects children and adults. The test for diagnose is you wear a sensor that monitor your heart rate, breathing, oxygen levels during the night when you are sleeping at home. The test helps to determine the severity of your sleep apnea.
If you have these symptoms talk to your health care provider.
Remember Sleep is Healing.
Blessings Christine (parish nurse)