sleep apnea
CENTRAL SLEEP APNOEA
Deficit of preBotC cells in the brain may lead to death during sleeping
Dr. Jack Feldman injected rats with a compound to kill more than half of preBotC cells in the brain and they found that the rats
stopped breathing when they entered the rapid eye movement phase of sleep. Overtime, the breathing lapses increased in
severity and spread to other phases. The rats woke up. This condition is very dangerous to those suffered from heart and
lung diseases. [6]
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. [7]
Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea
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.
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].
montelukast may help kids with sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea affects about 2-3% of American children, and is usually caused
by a blockage in the throat or upper airway. It causes a person to temporarily stop
breathing, leading to a decrease of oxygen in the blood and an accumulation of carbon
dioxide. Dr. David Gozal from University of Louisvillefound systemic anti-inflammatory
agents for use in children with obstructive sleep apnea could serve as an alternative
treatment to removal of tonsils and adenoids. [8]
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.
[6] Clue to why some die during sleep, BBC NEWS, Aug 8, 2005
[7] Key to early bird sleep disorder, BBC NEWS, April 3, 3005
[8] Asthma Drug Helps Kids with Sleep Apnea HealthDay August 5, 2005
SLEEP DISORDERS