Please watch the link below as it takes you through an example of a patient who stops breathing and consequently stops snoring. Blood oxygen saturation falls remarkably, resulting in a sudden increase in the pulse rate. Later there is an abrupt wakening with a terrible choking feeling, heart palpitations and a great sense of distress.
Sleep Apnea
"Apnea" refers to Complete Airway Obstruction for a period of 10 seconds or longer and a 4% decrease in O2 Saturation.
Snorers may or may not have Apnea...
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6% of Snorers have Apnea
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80% of Apneics are undiagnosed
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95% of Apneics Snore
Clinical Signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea:
DAYTIME:
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Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
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Poor Concentration and Performance
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Poor Memory, Clouded Intellect
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Overall Fatigue
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Morning Headaches
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Personality Changes
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Depression, Irritability
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Decreased Sex Drive, Imptence
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Auto and Work Related Accidents
NIGHTTIME:
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Awakening with Gasping or Choking
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Snoring: Intermittent Pauses
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Thrashing in Bed
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Hypertension
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Insomnia
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Nocturia
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Sweating, Bruxism
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Fragmental Awakening
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Apnea, Pauses in Breathing
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Gastro-esophogeal Reflux (GERD)
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Fragmented, Non-refreshing, Light Sleep