Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is a potentially life-threatening disorder which is usually marked by loud snoring, Dr. Virginia S. de los Reyes, head of the Lung Center of the Philippines’ Sleep Disorders Clinic, said.
This should not be ignored due to serious consequences it may pose such as increased risk for high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke, she stressed.
According to De los Reyes, OSAS’ warning signs include the following: Snoring pattern interrupted by gasps revealing that breathing stops and restarts; falling asleep at inappropriate times, difficulty in concentrating, irritability and loss of sexual interest.
The disorder may also affect children who are overweight and with enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
A patient who has OSAS fails to get enough oxygen during sleep and does not sleep soundly. His risk of automobile accident is four to six times higher than those without such disorder.
De los Reyes said it is unfortunate that sleep apnea is still largely ignored and left untreated in the country. This is due to the prevailing high cost of sleep studies necessary to determine the extent of the disorder and the machines for treatment.
Efforts are being put in place to enable patients to afford the treatment for such health problem, the lung specialist said. For instance, the Lung Center of the Philippines’ Sleep Disorder Center (924-6101 loc. 363 or 241) provides its expertise and resources for the diagnosis and treatment of such disorder at more affordable rates.
De los Reyes said a patient with symptoms of OSAS will be recommended to undergo a nighttime sleep study to confirm the disorder and define the best approach for treatment. During the sleep study, technologists position small sensors at different points of the body to record brain waves, muscle activities, heart rhythms, and other body functions during sleep.
"The most common treatment for OSAS,’’ said De los Reyes, "is called Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). This is an effective therapy utilizing air pressure to prop the airway open during sleep. CPAP machines work by pumping room air through a hose to a mask that fits over the nose, with the appropriate pressure determined during a sleep study.’’
Other less common treatments include surgery and oral appliances, with weight loss, exercise, and avoidance of alcohol, sedatives, and hypnotics, the lung specialist explained.
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