Sleep Apnea: It's Not Just Snoring, and It Affects Women and Thin People, Too

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Sleep apnea doesn't just happen to middle-aged men with potbellies, despite the stereotypes.

According to the October issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource, women develop sleep apnea too, just not as often as men do. Thin people can have the condition as well.

In sleep apnea, the throat becomes blocked during sleep and not enough air flows to the lungs. The blockage may occur when the throat muscles relax more than is normal during sleep or because of other factors such as extra fatty tissue in the throat (from being overweight) or a naturally smaller airway.

The blockage leads to hard and noisy breathing — snoring. Also, breathing may stop temporarily during sleep, causing a momentary awakening. The disruption impairs deep, restorative sleep.

Untreated, sleep apnea can cause a host of complications, including high blood pressure, which raises the risk of heart failure and stroke. The chronic lack of quality sleep can affect concentration and interfere with daily activities.

Sleep apnea is treatable. Indications that it's time for an evaluation include: daytime sleepiness that interferes with normal activities; loud snoring; intermittent pauses in breathing during sleep; abrupt awakening followed by shortness of breath; awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat; morning headache or difficulty staying asleep.

An evaluation typically involves a professional monitoring of one's breathing overnight. Treatment might include lifestyle changes (such as quitting smoking or losing weight), using a device that delivers air pressure through a mask during sleep, or surgery.

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