Iowa Specialty Hospital

Sleep/Neuro Study: Sleep Apnea

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One Sleep Culprit... 

Apnea derives from a Greek word meaning "lack of air." It is estimated that 9% of all males and 4% of all females have some form of sleep disorder. One of the most common—and potentially life-threatening—sleep disorders is sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is defined as the cessation of breathing for at least 10 seconds during sleep. This leads to a drop in oxygen in the blood and an interruption in sleep patterns. Patients generally awaken and still feel tired no matter how much time they have spent in bed. This is known as Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS).

Technichine monitoring computer screen

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness—a "tired feeling" all the time or at inappropriate times

  • Morning headaches

  • Loud snoring with periods of silence or gasps

  • Dozing while driving

  • Memory and/or judgment problems

  • Irritability

  • Personality changes

Sleep Apnea Questionnaire

Nurse with a patient going over the study procedure

Do you...

  • know that you snore or are told that you snore? 

  • often get sleepy in the daytime?

  • feel drowsy when driving?

  • wake up with morning headaches?

  • have frequent memory or judgement problems during the day?

  • experience frequent irritability during the day?

  • notice or are told you have a personality change?

  • wake up and/or make frequent trips to the bathroom during the night?

  • weigh 20% or more than your ideal body weight?

  • have a neck size 17 inches or greater (male) or 16 inches or greater (female)?

  • have high blood pressure?

  • have a decrease in sexual drive?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, especially snoring (#1) with excessive sleepiness (#2) or drowsy when driving (#3), you may be suffering from sleep apnea. Please talk with your physician.

Risk Factors For Sleep Apnea 

  • Obesity: 20% heavier than ideal body weight

  • Large neck girth: 17 inches or greater in males and 16 inches or greater in females

  • Male gender

  • Anatomic abnormalities, such as large tonsils, adenoids, etc.

  • Family history

  • Alcohol or sedative use

  • Lung disease

  • Age greater than 65

For more information, please visit our Locations and Hours page for contact information or download the Sleep Study brochure below.

 

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