| Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) AND HEART RISK Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is characterized by repetitive upper airway obstruction during sleep and it is commonly seen in the adult population, 4% in the men, 2% in the women [3]. This incidence increases with age. The most common nocturnal symptom is snoring while the most common daytime symptom is excessive daytime sleepiness. Men who suffer from this disorder have an increased risk of cardiovascular events. |
| HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT "EARLY BIRD SLEEP DISORDER"? It is a sleep disorder which causes people to nod off early and wake fully alert before dawn. Scientist found that it is related to a mutant gene called CKIdelta. Key to early bird sleep disorder, BBC NEWS, April 3, 3005 |
| Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is caused by a blockage in the pharynx that obstructs airflow during sleep. Individuals with the syndrome regularly stop breathing during sleep for a few seconds (apnea) and have slowed breathing (hypopnea) RESEARCH FINDINGS The mean intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid arteries of patients with severe Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) was found to be significantly higher than those of patients with mild OSAS and control subjects in a clinical study [1]. An increased intima-media thickness (IMT) in the carotid arteries is a marker of generalized atherosclerosis, and it has been associated with a high risk of stroke. Thus, obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is correlated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and complications including systemic hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, stroke and myocardial infarction. All these complications increase the morbidity and mortality of OSAHS [2]. TREATMENTS Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and Surgical removal of upper airway obstruction are considered to be efficient therapies in the treatment and prevention of the disease [3-5]. REFERENCES 1. Altin R et al, Evaluation of carotid artery wall thickness with high-resolution sonography in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome., J Clin Ultrasound. 2005 Feb;33(2):80-6. 2. 2. Wieber SJ., The cardiac consequences of the obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome. Mt Sinai J Med. 2005 Jan;72(1):10-2 3. Dursunoglu N et al, The effects of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome on cardiovascular system. Anadolu Kardiyol Derg. 2005 Mar;5(1):41-5. 4. Cai XL et al, Treatment of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome, Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Ke Za Zhi. 2004 Aug;39(8):496-500. 5. Xiao YL et al, Short-term and long-term influences of nasal continuous positive airway pressure to sleep architecture of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome. Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi. 2004 Sep;43(9):651-3. HOME |