Name: Jerry
Age: 65
Health: Heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and constant tiredness
For years Jerry had been taking medication for his heart problems. He suffered from atrial fibrillation-a constant fluttering of the heart and was diagnosed with heart failure. Jerry also suffered from poor sleep. He was constantly tired and often fell asleep while driving. However, Jerry was very reluctant to go to the doctor and seek treatment
"Falling asleep behind the wheel was his sign that he needed to make a change."
Common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Loud, disruptive snoring
- Irregular breathing during sleep (eg: gasping, long pauses, shallow breathing - a spouse or partner may notice these)
- Restless sleep
- Difficulty concentrating
- Depression or irritability
- Morning headaches
- High blood pressure
- Weight problems
Many people are not even aware that they have sleep apnea. Often, a bed partner is the first to witness their symptoms.
One day, as Jerry was pulling into a fast food drive-through, he fell asleep behind the wheel and ran into the side of a building. That was his sign that he needed to seek help
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a general term for breathing problems that occur during sleep. People with sleep apnea stop breathing throughout the night up to 100 times per hour.
Sleep apnea affects approximately 20 million adults, and has serious negative health effects when present with other conditions.
50% of patients with heart failure suffer from sleep apnea. If you suffer from heart failure, high blood pressure, or diabetes, treating your sleep apnea may improve all of these conditions in addition to making you feel better.
The good news is that sleep apnea can be treated easily!
Following his car accident, Jerry visited the sleep lab for a sleep study. It was discovered that Jerry suffered from a special kind of sleep apnea where his airway not only collapsed and obstructed his breathing, a condition called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but he also had periods of central sleep apnea (CSA) where his brain made no effort to breathe. Overall, Jerry stopped breathing 95 times per hour and his oxygen levels were dropping severely.
Jerry was prescribed a special kind of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine for his condition. After starting therapy, his quality of life began to improve immediately. The next time Jerry visited his doctor, he reported feeling awake and alert. He was no longer drowsy and his snoring had been virtually eliminated. Even better, Jerry experienced the following health benefits:
- Reduced ankle swelling
- Shortness of breath eliminated
- High blood pressure improved
- Nighttime urination decreased to 0 times from 4-5 times/night
In addition to the benefits of his health, Jerry's home life has also improved. His wife is happy because he's no longer falling asleep right after work, and Jerry reports feeling more energetic and focused.
What is CPAP therapy?
CPAP is the most widely accepted treatment for sleep apnea. A bedside device gently delivers pressurized air through a nasal mask or pillows system. This pressure acts like an "air splint" to keep the upper airway open and help prevent apneas. CPAP treatment does not involve drugs or surgery and helps hundreds of thousands of people worldwide enjoy healthier sleep and a healthier life. Many patients experience the benefits quickly-often after the first night of use. There is no cure for sleep apnea at this time.
Courtesy of ResMed (www.resmed.com)
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