TY - JOUR
T1 - Obstructive sleep apnea
T2 - Treatment improves quality of life-and may prevent death
AU - Chua, W.
AU - Chediak, A. D.
PY - 1994/1/1
Y1 - 1994/1/1
N2 - Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome may be just an annoyance to an affected person's bed partner, or it can be a more serious and even dangerous condition for the person involved. One clue to the condition is daytime somnolence, although not all sleepy patients have the syndrome. If obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is confirmed by a polysomnogram, a trial of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) is warranted. If daytime somnolence is unaffected, then it is unlikely that the syndrome is the sole cause of the patient's sleepiness. Alternative diagnoses (eg, narcolepsy, atypical depression) should then be considered. Surgery, orthodontic devices, and pharmacotherapy are generally less effective than NCPAP and are usually reserved for patients who cannot tolerate NCPAP. Surgical techniques may be best suited for patients who have clearly defined craniofacial abnormalities and those who cannot tolerate NCPAP. Weight reduction to near ideal body weight and avoidance of benzodiazepines, opiates, and alcohol should be emphasized in all patients with suspected or confirmed sleep apnea.
AB - Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome may be just an annoyance to an affected person's bed partner, or it can be a more serious and even dangerous condition for the person involved. One clue to the condition is daytime somnolence, although not all sleepy patients have the syndrome. If obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is confirmed by a polysomnogram, a trial of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) is warranted. If daytime somnolence is unaffected, then it is unlikely that the syndrome is the sole cause of the patient's sleepiness. Alternative diagnoses (eg, narcolepsy, atypical depression) should then be considered. Surgery, orthodontic devices, and pharmacotherapy are generally less effective than NCPAP and are usually reserved for patients who cannot tolerate NCPAP. Surgical techniques may be best suited for patients who have clearly defined craniofacial abnormalities and those who cannot tolerate NCPAP. Weight reduction to near ideal body weight and avoidance of benzodiazepines, opiates, and alcohol should be emphasized in all patients with suspected or confirmed sleep apnea.
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U2 - 10.1080/00325481.1994.11945797
DO - 10.1080/00325481.1994.11945797
M3 - Review article
C2 - 8309856
AN - SCOPUS:0028091323
VL - 95
SP - 123-126+131+135+137-138
JO - Postgraduate Medicine
JF - Postgraduate Medicine
SN - 0032-5481
IS - 2
ER -