22 / APRIL.MAY 2015 MALIBUCHRONICLE.COM

A ASK THE EXPERT

Sleep related problems affect manyAmericans. The most commonly known dis-order, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affectsat least 40 million people in the UnitedStates. It is characterized by snoring, holdingyour breath during sleep and cessation of airflow into the lungs for greater than 10 seconds. Most people experience daytimefatigue, falling asleep while driving or watch-ing television, and morning headaches. One never feels truly rested. Many but not all people with OSA are overweight.WHY IS IT DANGEROUS?If undiagnosed and untreated there is a 5-fold increase inautomobile accidents in those affected with the condition.

In addition, people with sleep apnea have anincreased incidence of cardiac problemssuch as irregular heartbeats, hypertension orhigh blood pressure, and increased risk ofstroke The irregular heartbeat can con-tribute to sudden death especially duringsleep or in the early morning hours.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT?To make the definitive diagnosis, we putpeople through an overnight sleep test,which quantifies the number of obstructiveevents that occur per hour. The severity ofthe apneas correlates with an increased riskof those medical complications such ashypertension.

In addition to weight loss, there are anumber of treatment options, which includeCPAP, which is a mask that is placed overthe nose during sleep. Think of it as areverse vacuum cleaner. The device pumpsair into the upper airway, which overcomesthe resistance of the tissues of the nose,palate and tongue, thus overcoming the

apnea and obstruction. Additional treatment options are available for those that

cannot tolerate CPAP. These include oral appliances, whichthrust the tongue forward during sleep, and a number ofnew procedures for upper airway corrective surgery.

For more information on Marc Kerner, MD, FACS pleasevisit www.calwestent.com or call 818-349-0600.

Marc Kerner, MD, FACS

What issleep

apnea?

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