Question 1

define mild sleep apnea?

Accepted Answer

Gasping for air: Sleep apnea is defined as complete (apnea) or partial obstruction (hypopnia) of the airway during sleep.  Typical signs and symptoms are snoring, wake up gasping for air, and excessive daytime sleepiness.   Diagnosis is made by a sleep study (polysomnogram) and the main parameter of diagnosis is ahi (apnea-hypopnea index).  Mild sleep apnea ranges from 5-10 ahi.

Question 2

what is obstructive sleep apnea?

Accepted Answer

OSA: Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when breathing stops (apnea) during sleep usually as a result of a temporary obstruction such as a narrowing and closing in the oropharynx. When the brain detects that breathing has stopped, an alarm goes up that wakes the person so that he starts breathing again. Often the person does not know why he has woken. An observer may note snoring or gasping in the night.

Question 3

can 7 year olds have sleep apnea?

Accepted Answer

YES....,: Causes can be: enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids, allergies, sinus disease, nasal blockage, obesity, etc.
Check with the pediatrician, might need sleep studies, referral to ent, etc.

Question 4

how can you control your sleep apnea?

Accepted Answer

Ask questions: Look at all your options.  There are many different types of CPAP masks for example and many patients are much happier with nasal pillow type masks instead of full nose mouth masks.  It's also a good idea to have an oral sleep apnea appliance(again there are many types) as a backup in case of power outages or head cold"s where you have a "runny or stuffed nose.

Question 5

how to tell if my son has sleep apnea?

Accepted Answer

Observe: The only way to tell for sure is a sleep study.. But clues to having sleep apnea include being tired during the day, snoring, and he stops breathing during his sleep.  The risk is also bigger if he his overweight or has large tonsils.  I would suggest having him see a physician for an evaluation.

Question 6

what is the cause of possible sleep apnea?

Accepted Answer

See answer: Being overweight is a rsik factor, genetics plays a role, large tonsils and or uvula will increase risk for osa.

Question 7

i have "central sleep apnea." what is cure?

Accepted Answer

Sleep tst/ventilator: Pure central sleep apnea is uncommon so first, i would evaluate with a sleep test.  Central apnea means brain does not send signal to diaphragm to breath/obstructive means airway blocks breathing in deep sleep.  Ventilators are now available for home use which can supply pressurized air to the nasal airway via a fitted nasal mask to supply breaths during periods of when patient stops breathing.

Question 8

sleep apnea... is there any permanent cure?

Accepted Answer

Sleep apnea: The best cure is weight loss but this does not guarantee a cure. There are many people that lose weight and their apnea gets much better.

Question 9

sleep apnea how do u get this what causes it?

Accepted Answer

Condition: Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where the back of the throat closes and prevents breathing.  Contributing factors include the structure of the throat which is influenced by how we develop and being over weight.  Central sleep apnea is a condition where the brain does not send a signal to the lungs to breath.  They are treated differently.  See your physician asap if you have this problem.

Question 10

i seem to have sleep apnea. what should i do?

Accepted Answer

Sleep Study: You should get a sleep study done either at a sleep study center(best) or have your doctor order at home sleep study (as long as it has some form of positional monitoring) to get an accurate diagnosis first.

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I have "central sleep apnea." what is cure?

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Sleep apnea... is there any permanent cure?

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Sleep apnea how do u get this what causes it?

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I seem to have sleep apnea. what should i do?

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