Informative Essay On Sleep Apnea

Introduction

Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing pauses or becomes shallow during sleep. Most people with the condition are not aware that they have it. It is important for your health care providers to know whether or not you have sleep apnea, especially if you are having surgery.

How can sleep apnea affect my surgery?

Sleep apnea increases your risk for certain complications during and after surgery. This is because when you have sleep apnea, your airways are more sensitive to medicines used during surgery to change your awareness and relax muscles you use to breathe. Sleep apnea can make these problems more likely to happen:

An airway collapsing and blocking the flow of air.

Longer stay in the recovery room or hospital.

Breathing

Before you have surgery, it is important to get screened for sleep apnea and to talk with your surgeon and primary health care provider about the results. Screening usually includes being asked a list of questions about your sleep quality. Some questions you may be asked include:

Do you snore?

Is your sleep restless?

Do you have daytime sleepiness?

Has a partner or spouse told you that you stop breathing during sleep?

Have you had trouble concentrating or memory loss?

Answer these questions honestly. If a screening test is positive, this means you are at risk for the condition. Further diagnostic testing may be needed to confirm a diagnosis of sleep apnea.

What should I do if I have sleep apnea?

Before surgery

Tell your health care provider and anesthesia specialist that you have sleep apnea. Discuss your individual risks based on your screening results, the type of surgery you will be having, and other medical conditions you have.

If you have a sleep apnea device (positive airway pressure device), wear it as prescribed. If you have not been wearing your device, talk with your health care provider about why you have not been wearing it. There are ways to improve your use of the device, such as:

Adjusting the