Sleep apnea Health Article

Support Groups

Attending a support group with others who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea or related disorders may help persons adjust to their disease and adapt to the lifestyle changes necessary to treat it.

Expectations (prognosis)

When treated correctly, obstructive sleep apnea may be controlled. However, many persons are unable or unwilling to tolerate CPAP, and the syndrome continues.

Complications

• Hypertension
• Right-sided heart failure
• Abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
• Excessive carbon dioxide levels (hypercapnia)
• Sleep deprivation
• Stroke
• Heart disease

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have excessive daytime sleepiness, or if you or your family notice symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. If you have this condition, call if symptoms do not improve with treatment or if new symptoms develop.

Decreased consciousness, extreme somnolence, hallucinations, personality changes, and persistent confusion can indicate an emergency.

Prevention

Losing weight and avoiding alcohol and sedatives may help some individuals. Children with very large tonsils and adenoids may develop sleep apnea and related problems. They should be evaluated to see whether they need to have their tonsils or adenoids removed.

See: Tonsillectomy