Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: cruzin4us on 26/09/2005 19:24:22
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Hi,
My husband seems to be experiencing more and more sleep apnea. He is a few pounds overweight (25 maybe). He seems to be better when he lies on his side. He feels really tired in the morning, even after 8 hours sleep. Does anyone have a miracle cure?
Thanks!
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I believe if he loses the weight it should help a great deal....failing that , a visit to your doc will be worth considering who may then refer you to a specialist:
try these links and good luck :
http://www.newtechpub.com/phantom/faq/osa_faq.htm
http://www.sleepapnea.org/
http://www.britishsnoring.co.uk/snoring_&_sleep_apnoea/what_is_sleep_apnoea.php
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Being overweight by 25 pounds isn't a great deal so i wouldnt of thought it would be a cause.
but i do agree with neil regarding visiting your doctor as the condition is potentially dangerous
as a reason for it should found as soon as possible.
Michael (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi11.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa186%2Fukmicky%2Frofl.gif&hash=481319b762ee9d57cda15e90d2e83ee6)
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I appreciate both your responses and the referrals to the other websites.
Do either of you know what could be potentially dangerous? I thought you just felt tired, not that this is healthy, but I didn't know it could be dangerous.
My husband is 6'2" so the 25 lbs doesn't seem like much to me, but any amount of being overweight isn't healthy.
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25lbs is almost two stone,,,certainly to me it seems quite a lot....I really don't know if there is a miracle cure BUT there are treatments...we really need Chris to help out on this one as I am not a medical expert.
Please do not worry too much....it seems that the potentiality of not starting to breath again is the major factor with sleep apnea....now, I suppose my saying ' don't worry ' seems trite now...but seriously....it's far more common than you would expect and the body has a wonderful way of kickstarting the breathing.
It's possible that a referal to an Ear Nose and Throat surgeon may be the way to go.
I currently snore and have started taking some steroid nasal spray, and if that fails they'll be a pill to take aswell, and if that fails then it's ENT surgeon time...BUT....I do not suffer from sleep apnea.
I gather you guys have to pay to go to the doctor in the US eh ?....if you can somehow organise a trip I think it'll be helpful...at least to put your mind at ease.
I'm sorry I can not offer more concise advice, I just feel it's not my place to offer medical advice when I'm not a qualified medical expert.
Please keep us informed though......and do not worry.
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Here's some info i've just copied and pasted here:
"Untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure and other cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain, impotency, and headaches. Moreover, untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for job impairment and motor vehicle crashes. Fortunately, sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated. Several treatment options exist, and research into additional options continues."
The site also says over twelve million americans suffer from this too, so, you and your husband are not alone.
How many times an hour would you say he has sleep apnea ?
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Ever considered that sleeping on a flat bed might be compromising your respiration and circulation and that sleep apnea may simply be a result of sleeping flat?
Eleveate the head end of the bed by no less than six inches, so that the whole bed slopes from head to toe. First two weeks is a little strange, you may develop some aches and a slight stiffening of the neck initially, but this quickly resolves. And please come back and tell everyone how your sleeping has improved :)
Andrew K Fletcher
"The explanation requiring the fewest assumptions is most likely to be correct."
K.I.S. "Keep it simple!"
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I'm passing on all your tips/websites to my husband when I get home.
I don't know how many times he stops per hour as I sleep like a log. 90% of the time I don't even realize he snores! I only notice it when his snoring keeps me awake after I go to the restroom. I think he probably doesn't breathe for maybe 10-15 seconds? I will have to pay more close attention. Thanks again for all your input, Laurie
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Laurie, PLEASE keep us updated...I'm very interested in your hubbys progress.
best Wishes
Neil
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quote:
Originally posted by cruzin4us
Hi,
My husband seems to be experiencing more and more sleep apnea. He is a few pounds overweight (25 maybe). He seems to be better when he lies on his side. He feels really tired in the morning, even after 8 hours sleep. Does anyone have a miracle cure?
Thanks!
Hmm well I don't think a "miracle cure" exsists for anything. I'd definately consult your doctor... sleep apnea can cause heart attack, stroke, impotence, in addition to fatigue! It is progressive and dangerous. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe. A test that determines if you have sleep apnea is called a "polysmnograph" in which there are two kinds, in one test which is overnight: the polysomnograph monitors brain waves, oxygen level in the blood, muscle tension, etc.
In the other you are hooked up to the electrodes and are instructed on how to use the polysmnograph and return it in the morning.
If you are diagnosied with sleep apnea and it is mild lifestyle changes usually improve the condition such as losing weight. Also to treat the condtion are oral devices to help keep the airway open. C-PAP ( a machine that directs air into the nose) is also used.
A Tracheostomy is another option... but a last resort.
I hope that was helpful! Good luck! Best,
Nina
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Hi,
He's tried the C-Pap machine, but he ends up pulling it off in the middle of the night. He does it without even waking up.
I was just hoping there was some miracle cure like eating raspberries or something (just joking).
Unfortunately from all your responses it looks like he best visit the doctor before things get worse.
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Definatley, Its hard to tell when you can't examine the person to tell what the best treatment is... all I can say is be AGGRESSIVE... don't give up. Sleep apnea if left alone long enough can be deadly.
-"science |?s??ns| noun the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment"- the dictionary
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Excellent advice Dr Nina Mam.
Laurie, just drag hubby down the doctors...it could be the best decision you've made. Us blokes are notoriously bad at going to the doctors but persevere. PLEASE keep us updated, we're all supporting you here.
Neil
Men are the same as women.... just inside out !! (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zerogain.com%2Fforum%2Fimages%2Fsmilies%2Faction-smiley-075.gif&hash=84631c0c4a382b5e68463904b7b9fddf)
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I hope all goes well with the doctor keep me posted! [:)]
-"science |?s??ns| noun the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment"- the dictionary
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Looks like I'm late to chime in here, but here's what and how I work with a C-PAP...
When I was first diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, I was sleeping for about 90min total for 3 months. When I went for my annual the Dr. asked me if I snored when I sleep(weight is less an indicator of Sleep Apnea. Apparently anyone who snores has at least a touch of "throat closure"). I told her just a bit when I do sleep. She sent me to a Sleep Disorder Specialist. It turns out that I have "Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Level 10". Means my throat closes completley, repeatedly, and often. Fortunatly, my body panics and wakes me enough to force my throat open and breathe.
So I brought it home and practiced with it. I did not wait til bedtime to try to sleep with. In the afternoon, I laid down with the mask already activated on my face with the light reduced, and activated the "ramp" button. The ramp button causes the air flow to cut back drasticly and then increase gently back to the full air flow.
I did this in the afternoon for about 1hr, then later at night. It took me awhile, but when I had it on, I was sleeping. Shortly after I took it off I would wake. I still take it off in the night, but only 1x in the past month.
I have been sleeping for 8-9hrs every night that I leave the mask on. I still have a major problem with falling asleep, but OTC sleep aids help there.
Best of Luck to getting Hubby the right help!
Joanne
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I don't know what the current thinking is on these but a while ago oral devices were being developed to keep the airway open and there did seem to be some success with them.
CPAP does seem to be the treatment of choice though.