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Sleep Apnea |
My Personal Story:
I didn't know the medical term for it - but I knew I had sleep apnea long before a doctor confirmed it for me. It must have been more than twenty years ago when I was first told that I "stopped breathing" in the middle of the night for short periods of time... and yes, I was also well-aware of the fact that I snored! Of that there was no doubt, not to anyone within earshot, either!
I didn't worry about this or even think about it as a "medical condition." I wished that I didn't snore, and was self-conscious about that aspect of my nocturnal activities. My bed partner would, upon occasion, opt to sleep elsewhere. This was difficult for me - I felt I was displacing them. I wasn't sure WHY I snored so much but I was convinced it was because I was (slightly) overweight. I would endeavour to lose weight, and found that there was a threshold of about 180 pounds that actually had some effect on my snoring. Whenever I maintained a weight under 180, my snoring would decrease about 25% or so.
In all, I very lightly addressed my "snoring problem" as if it were a weight issue, and basically an annoyance to others.
Not directly related, but part of my story is the fact that I had recurring sinus issues.... some slight allergies, perhaps, or structural septum irregularity of some sort. I would eventually learn that I did, in fact, have both conditions.
After one particularly bad run-in with sinusitis, I queried the doctor about my breathing and mentioned that I thought I might have sleep apnea. After some discussion, he agreed and referred me to a cardio-pulmonary doctor to further investigate the matter. My initial interview with the cardio-pulmonary doctor didn't go well. When he entered the room he asked: "What can I do for you"? To which I replied that I'd discussed possible sleep apnea with my primary care physician who had referred me to a cardio-pulmonary doctor. The next thing he said was: "well, you don't LOOK like someone with sleep apnea."
Apparently, there is a profile of many people with sleep apnea. These people are overweight (significantly) and have large, swollen necks and tonsils.... according to my new doctor, that is. It was difficult to be optimistic as I already knew I had sleep apnea - I knew it and had been told for well over twenty years that I stopped breathing while asleep - and I had other symptoms as well... including: significant snoring, waking up in the morning feeling tired and literally exhausted, waking with headaches, dry mouth in the morning (from breathing through mouth), heartburn, insomnia, frequent bathroom trips during the night, and history of depression. This is almost the definitive list of sleep apnea symptoms!
In any case, the doctor reluctantly agreed to order a sleep study. Herein lies a very important note: if you think that you have sleep apnea, and your doctor doesn't agree - INSIST of the sleep study. As far I know, it is the ONLY way to rule in or out a true diagnosis of sleep apnea.
Yes, you guessed it - the sleep study indicated I had sleep apnea. The technician actually said that she believed I had "SEVERE" sleep apnea.
The sleep study was, well, difficult. I had special problems with it as I was unable to breath through my nose that night. This was something I often had to deal with. This difficulty breathing through the nose is the "sinus issues" I mentioned earlier. In any case, during a sleep study, you are connected to electrodes that wire information to a computer. The information collected includes such things as your breath rate, expansion (action) of your diaphragm (or lack of movement should you cease to breathe), heart rate, the actual sound of your snoring (if any) and other relevant data is collected as well. It takes about a half hour or so to get hooked up. After being connected to the data collection apparatus, you are then encouraged to fall asleep. The environment in which my test was performed was very nice - it resembled a very neat hotel room. There was nothing particularly clinical about the environment (if you ignore the many wires hanging off my head, shoulders, abdomen, legs and feet).
Truthfully, I didn't think I could fall asleep in such an atmosphere and was surprised to find the technician waking me only an hour later to say: "You have severe sleep apnea"!
At this point, the second phase of the sleep study kicks in. After all, should you not display any symptoms of sleep apnea, they'd presumably let you sleep through the night and send you home in the morning with a clean bill of health. If sleep apnea is detected - they now begin exploring treatment options.
The only (non-invasive and primary) treatment of sleep apnea is a CPAP machine. CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. This is a machine that works like a vacuum cleaner in reverse - by that I mean it blows air out of a hose into a mask that you wear over your face. Usually, the mask covers your nose only. Yes, it is strange sensation to wear a mask over your nose and even stranger to have it blowing a significant amount of air at a high rate. There are full face masks for people (like me) who are unable to breathe through their noses. A full face mask is much more difficult to wear and use.
The force of the air rushing through your airway causes your airway to remain open. This is exactly what is needed to prevent the soft tissues from closing and causing a person to stop breathing. The mask can be difficult to get used to - but you CAN get used to it. If someone had told me this on my first night with the mask - I might not have believed them. So, I understand if a person reading this is somewhat skeptical.
The CPAP mask is attached to your face with the use of elastic straps. Its placement on your face is crucial. It must not leak air in significant amounts in order to be effective. Nor do you want to listen to air rushing past your face or blowing into your eyes all night long. Even though your eyes are essentially closed at night the air will dry them out and you will notice the dryness in the morning. Also, the mask should be not any tighter than necessary. It is a delicate balance. The tighter the mask - the more uncomfortable you may find it to be. A tight fitting mask may also leave impressions on your face in the morning.
One other "side effect" of the CPAP machine may be that you find the volume of air in play causes dryness of your airway, especially noticeable in your nose. If you need it - a humidifier component can be added to the CPAP machine. I use a humidifier and find it makes the experience much better. Oh yes, a CPAP machine may cause you to swallow air overnight causing some bloating. In my experience, this is significant for a short period of time and then eases off some as your body adjusts to the new " windy environment."
If, after reading these past few paragraphs, you are less than excited about wearing a CPAP mask, don't despair. I've been saving the good news for last. Yes, there is good news in regard to the CPAP machine and its effect on your life. I need to use my words carefully now because I don't want my reader's to discount the next line:
The CPAP machine will change your life.
The CPAP machine will become the best thing that has happened to you in a very long time. It really WILL change you life. If your experience is anything like mine, you have had sleep apnea for some time. You have woken up in the morning tired and it took you a long time to get into the swing of things. To say I wasn't a "morning person" would be putting it mildly. Even if you have had sleep apnea for a short period of time, you can, by using the machine now, prevent a long term situation of sleep deprivation and avoid those other possible symptoms of sleep apnea.
Now, when I wake up in the morning, I am excited to be alive. I can't wait to start my day. I can actually speak with people if necessary instead of grunting at them on the way to the coffee machine. I awake each morning completely refreshed and NOT tired. I never wake up with a headache anymore. And, I remember dreaming. Since I am now getting the proper amount and TYPE of sleep (appropriate amounts of REM sleep), I seem to be dreaming a lot more than before. I don't get up at night to go to the bathroom anymore. Ever. I also find that if for some reason, I must get up earlier than usual, the fact that I might get slightly less sleep has very little, if any, effect on my outlook or physical state.
It will be difficult for you to get past those first few nights with the CPAP machine. It won't feel natural to have to wear a mask over your nose. You will have to get used to it. I know it sounds easy to say "get used to it" but I can tell you that it is, in fact, possible. You WILL get used to it. Pay attention to the straps, make sure they are no tighter than necessary. Masks come in different sizes. Make sure yours fits well. If you have dryness, get a humidifier. It will be much easier for you if you a person who is already used to sleeping on your back. If not, make sleeping on your back your new preference. The mask will be easier to use if you sleep on your back. After a while, you will be able to go back to sleeping on your side...but the mask will always then be in a more precarious position for air leakage and pressing into your face (and being uncomfortable). If possible, try to sleep on your back all the time. Yes, it is possible to actual be quite comfortable sleeping on your back even if it hasn't been your usual sleeping position up to now.
Proper use of a CPAP machine will enhance your life completely. It will improve all the symptoms you have encountered because of your sleep apnea. If you are like me, it will eliminate them entirely. I do not have any direct knowledge about the effect of sleep apnea on the heart, but I understand the stress of waking up continually throughout the night places a lot of stress on the cardio-pulmonary system (your body thinks it is repeatedly suffocating). This is perhaps one of the best reasons to use the CPAP machine as prescribed by your doctor. I read somewhere that the attrition rate among CPAP users was quite high. I think this is sad because I believe many people who stop using the machine are disheartened by the initial difficulties in using a CPAP machine. I'm here to tell YOU that it is NOT going to be a negative experience in the long run.
You will soon be very happy to use the CPAP machine. It will greatly improve the quality of your life and perhaps even add years to your life. It will immediately stop your snoring 100% and that will be appreciated by those around you. You will awaken in the morning refreshed and ready to take on the day.
Don't be surprised if you even wake up smiling.
If you have specific questions about sleep apnea, please speak with your doctor. I am also available to discuss my personal experiences and recommendations with you. If it worked for me - it can work for you too! I am very happy to help in any way that I can. Email me!