Sleep Apnea: to Snore or Not to Snore?

A freight train. A chain saw. An angry grizzly bear. Has your snoring ever earned you comparisons to these things? Any person can snore; however if you are a regular snorer, you could have cause for concern, as snoring can be a sign of a more serious medical problem known as sleep apnea. Apnea, strictly defined, is a period in which a person's breathing stops. Sleep apnea occurs while a person is asleep and may happen frequently during the night. While there are several types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea is caused by a blocked or narrowed airway which obstructs the flow of air. This can be caused by the throat muscles and/or tongue relaxing and blocking the airway during sleep. Sleep apnea can strike at any age, any sex and any weight. Personally, I am a 40-year-old, overweight, Caucasian woman. I have snored "like a freight train" for as long as I can remember. My first memory of snoring is waking myself up with my own snoring while waiting at a doctor's office at about age 12. At sleepovers, I always tried to be the last one to go to sleep, in hopes that I would not embarrass myself. When I married a sometimes insomniac, my snoring really become a problem. However, it was only after I began to have more concerning symptoms that I decided to seek treatment. This is my journey through diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

My life was like any other working wife and mother, a dash from one chore to another. Sure, I was tired and fell asleep anytime I got still, doesn't everyone? Of course, I also fell asleep while stopped at a traffic light ...and during a conversation with my husband...and while calling out spelling words to my child. I just couldn't seem to sleep enough. I got up every morning just as tired as I had been at bedtime. I found myself waking at night gasping for breath, and my husband noted times that I seemed to stop breathing briefly during the night. I learned from my primary care physician that these are typical symptoms of a common but potentially serious problem called obstructive sleep apnea . Testing and treatment in my case involved two appointments to spend the night in the sleep study center of my local hospital.

My time at the sleep center was very interesting. I was given an Epworth Sleepiness Scale, in which I answered questions regarding my likelihood of falling asleep during certain activities, such as riding in a car, watching television or reading. Higher scores indicate an excessive amount of daytime sleepiness, and my score placed me at the borderline of moderate to severe. The exam room for the sleep study looked just like a nice hotel room, complete with a TV armoire, queen size bed and lovely decor. After dressing comfortably for bed, I relaxed for a short time and then the sleep technician arrived to prepare me for the study. A bundle of surface electrodes were attached to my scalp and chest, and several more placed beneath my legs once I was lying in bed. These electrodes would be recording my brain activity, body movements, and breathing to determine the length of time spent in each phase of sleep. A pulse oximetry probe was placed on my finger, which would measure and record my oxygen levels. All of this was absolutely painless and noninvasive. During my sleep, I was constantly monitored and videotaped. In the morning, I was released early to shower and be on my way in plenty of time to return to my regular activities.

Within a week, I was contacted by my physician with the results of my sleep study. I had been diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea; recommendations were for me to return to the sleep center to be fitted with a CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure machine, which I would sleep with and be monitored overnight again. The entire procedure was repeated, with the addition of the CPAP machine. The machine was programmed to ramp up to full pressure, so that I did not feel overwhelmed by the air pressure in the mask at first fitting. The machine begins with a very light flow of air and increases to the pressure prescribed by my physician. I was fitted with a face mask that sealed over my nose and mouth since I knew that I was a mouth-breather. While somewhat cumbersome to sleep with, the mask was not heavy or unpleasant and I seemed to sleep pretty well that night. Next morning, the technician said that she had noted very deep sleep taking place, much moreso than at my previous sleep study. I actually felt somewhat refreshed by my night's rest, in spite of the mask.

I have my own CPAP machine at home now that I sleep with every night, and even take with me when I travel. My insurance company helped to purchase the machine as a medical need. After trying many different types of masks, I have returned once again to a full mask that seals over my nose and mouth, and actually fits under my chin. I have found that this type of mask works best for me, but there are many varied styles of masks to suit all types. I can definitely tell a difference when I sleep with my machine; I don't even get up at night for bathroom visits anymore. Generally speaking, I sleep all night undisturbed, which is quite a change from the super-light sleeper I used to be. I'm sleeping better, my husband is sleeping better as I no longer snore, and I feel much better all around. I would definitely recommend sleep studies for anyone who suspects they may suffer from sleep apnea. Don't wait, get help now...you'll feel so much better!