Wednesday July 30 / 2008

Wednesday July 30 / 2008

12:10: The Health Roundup with Jay McQueen.

12:13-12:45: You asked for it – and now we’ve done it. We’ve had lots of emails and phone calls about doing a segment on Celiac Disease. Let’s lay it all out on the table.
Guest: Michelle Graham, has Celiac Disease. Merchandising Manager, Terra Greenhouses.

12:45: Rexall Radio Health Matters segment.
Guest: Irene.
Sleep Apnea !

What is it? It is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep, each episode is called apnea. Apnea lasts long enough so that one or more breaths are missed, and occurs repeatedly throughout sleep. There are three distinct forms of sleep apnea, central, obstructive and complex. Breathing is interrupted by the lack of respiratory effort and breathing is interrupted by a physical block of airflow despite respiratory effort. Regardless of the type the individual with sleep apnea is rarely aware of having difficulty breathing even upon wakening. Sleep apnea is recognized as a problem by others witnessing the individual during episodes or is suspected because of its effects on the body. Symptoms may be present for years (decades) without identification. In normal conditions the muscles of the upper part of the throat keep the passage open to allow air to flow into the lungs. These muscles usually relax during sleep, but the passage remains open enough to permit the flow of air. Some people have a narrower passage and during sleep relaxation of these muscles cause the passage to close and the air cannot get into the lungs. Loud snoring and labored breathing occur. For unknown reasons that are still unclear, in deep sleep breathing can stop for a period of time, the result is fragmented sleep that is not restful, leading to excessive daytime drowsiness.

Symptoms:
• Loud snoring
• Periods of not breathing
• Awakening not rested in the morning
• Abnormal daytime sleepiness, including falling asleep at inappropriate times
• Morning headaches
• Recent weight gain
• Limited attention
• Memory loss
• Poor judgment
• Personality changes
• Lethargy
• High blood pressure
• Leg swelling
• Large-scale studies also indicate links with heart disease

Treatment:

The goal is to keep the air way open to prevent apnea during sleep.
Weight management, avoiding alcohol and sedatives at bedtime may relieve sleep apnea. CPAP a form of mechanical breathing assistance that involves the use of especially designed mask worn over the nose or nose and mouth at night may be prescribed. This devise inserted in the mouth at night keeps the jaw forward to help relieve symptoms for mild to moderate cases. Surgery to remove tissue at the back of the throat or enlarged tonsils or asenoids creates an opening in the trachea to bypass the obstructed airway during sleep. In some people this is an option to relieve sleep apnea.

Blog Reporter Rexall #0202 Nadine Janacek