Sleep Apnea (also called Sleep Apnoea) is a common sleep disorder that is characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep, which force the sufferer to wake up to resume normal breathing, and disrupt and disturb their normal sleep cycle. These episodes, called apneas, usually last from a few seconds up to as long as sixty seconds in severe cases, and may occur repeatedly throughout the night.

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Most people who are afflicted are not automatically mindful of the fact that they are afflicted with sleep apnea. This sleep disorder can range from mild to moderate to severe. Frequently it might require a spouse or other family member to know the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea and make the individual aware of their health condition. Sleep apnea or sleep apnea syndrome essentially means the "cessation of breath during sleep." The air passages become restricted or plugged at a number of different points, whether they are a result of large tonsils, a large sized tongue, too much fatty tissue hanging over the airway, the nasal passages or the jaw.

The most frequently occuring signs or symptoms of sleep apnea include noisy and frequent snoring, gasping or choking during the night, excessive daytime tiredness and frequent sequences during sleep when breathing is strained or is interrupted all together.

Other symptoms that indicate sleep apnea include headaches upon waking, a dry mouth upon waking up, a feeling of not having had a good night's sleep, confusion upon waking up in the morning, problems concentrating on tasks, problems remembering things, perspiring heavily in the night, a feeling of irritability, a frequent need to urinate throughout the night (known as nocturia), feeling depressed or developing changes in personality and/or mood swings. Additional symptoms may include a rapid gain in weight, insomnia, heartburn, high blood pressure, and a reduced sex drive. Children who suffer from sleep apnea can suffer from a retraction of their chests during nightly episodes. In other words their chest pulls in or caves in and they feel as if they are going to smother.

When these symptoms are noticed it is important to schedule a visit with the doctor to see if a proper diagnosis can be made. In order to diagnose a case of sleep apnea a doctor will administer a sleep test to a patient known as a polysomnography. There are two kinds of polysomnography tests (or polysomnograms). These include the overnight polysomnography test and a home monitoring polysomnography test.

The overnight polysomnography test monitors such actions as eye movement, respiration, brain waves, tension in muscles, the level of oxygen in the blood and finally, audio monitoring which includes such things as gasping, choking, snoring and so on. A professional known as a "sleep technologist" assists a patient with the second kind of polysomnography test- the home monitoring test. In this case the technologist attaches electrodes to the patient's body and then runs them through the entire procedure of how they can use a computerized polysomnograph in the privacy of their own home to record their sleep patterns. These tests usually take place over a period of one night and the computerized home monitoring test is returned to the doctor's office or hospital the following day. Usually these tests are covered by one's medical insurance coverage but when in doubt, check with your health insurance company beforehand. There is rarely any degree of pain linked with either of these sleep tests.

Always keep the lines of communication open between yourself and your doctor or healthcare provider. Ask all of the questions you need to regarding the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea as well as the sleep test used to diagnosis the condition.