What Are The Symptoms & Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea? (effect, problems)

[1000Oaks]

Symptoms & Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea

[Bamaman1]

Man over 200 lbs.
Shirt size 17 inches or larger.
Snores loudly
Extremely sleepy mid afternoon
High incidence of wrecking cars
Low energy levels
Heart problems (many require open heart surgery if untreated.)
Has problems getting along with his family--short tempered and hard to get along with.

I've been off my CPAP machine for the last year, but am getting back on it today. My doctor says he has almost every doctor in the city on CPAP. My oxygen level goes down to about 92% when I'm asleep. I knew one co-worker @ 58% who was literally choking in his sleep. His projected lifespan is short. I knew one gentleman that had to quit driving because he'd go to sleep at red lights--and had too many wrecks.

It's so much more prevalent than anyone knows. The sleep test usually takes two nights, and is covered by health insurance.

[guidoLaMoto]

Originally Posted by Bamaman1

. My oxygen level goes down to about 92% when I'm asleep..

You don't qualify then, based on O2 sat.


The indications for sleep studies has been greatly expanded by adding the "200 lb or 17 in neck" to the criteria. That's an outgrowth of Obamacare Buddy Capitalism. It's BS.


Pickwickian Syndrome- named after the character in Dicken's Pickwick Papers who was obese and kept falling asleep in the middle of a sentence-- is the most severe form Sleep Apnea." These pts are prone to nod off during the day which can get dangerous if they're driving, for instance.


Screening for sleep apnea is indicated when pts' have excessive snoring, restless sleep, day time drowsiness. Obesity may or may not be present. Of course pts getting poor sleep may be cranky, but if that's one of our criteria, we'd all qualify from time to time.


Higher risk for sudden death among sleep apnea pts is often mentioned, but the rate is minimally elevated, if at all. (Difficult to collect and analyze data in a meaningful way.) Several comorbidities occur with increased frequency: CAD, DM and such, all also associated with obesity. Which is cause? Which is effect?


For the technically inclined https://www.connecticare.com/provide...0Treatment.pdf


Will Medicare pay for CPAP? https://www.sleepdr.com/the-sleep-bl...r-sleep-apnea/