Question:
Sleep Apnea versus Sleep Disturbances
Could anyone tell me the difference between sleep apnea and sleep "disturbances"? Thanks! — Carly H. (posted on September 9, 2003)
September 9, 2003
Please explain sleep disturbances.
— ChristineB
September 9, 2003
I'm sorry, I'll try to clarify. I've actually just heard the term
"sleep disturbances" and I think it was used as "opposed to
or instead of" sleep apnea. Bottom line, I'm trying to determine if I
have full blown sleep apnea which my insurance requires before they approve
my wls. (I DO have a consult with my sleep doctor on the 19th - just
trying to determine a few things before I see him.) I have headaches most
mornings and feel exhausted upon wakening, feel fatigued during the day
(although not to the point that I may fall asleep at the drop of a hat), my
mouth is dry in the morning, sometimes the back of my throat is sore,
sometimes wake myself up coughing or choking, up frequently to use the
bathroom, and my husband says I snore alot, BUT he doesn't hear me quit
breathing as I've always understood sleep apnea causes you to do. So, I'm
wondering if I am just "disturbed" at night (ha-ha), or true
sleep apnea. I'm really sweating it because it's so critical to my
insurance coverage. My BMI is 43 (around 255 lbs.) Sorry for this long
post and THANKS for responding!
— Carly H.
September 9, 2003
what you are describing sounds like sleep apnea to me. Maybe not a really
bad case of it, but definately the symtoms of sleep apnea. Not sure if
there is a difference in sleep disturbances.
— thekatinthehat
September 10, 2003
Actually, I do know the difference. When I went for my sleep study they
confirmed that I do not have any apnea whatsoever. I do have "sleep
disturbances". Basically I rouse from deep sleep 3 times more
frequently than a normal person. I do not actually become conscious or
awake and I have no memory of these disturbances, but I am pulled from deep
sleep to much lighter less restful sleep. This is not a breathing issue
like apnea, it can be caused by other things such as abnormal chemical
brain activity. I have no apnea-like symptoms, except for sometimes not
feeling as rested as I would like. It sounds like you have classic apnea
symptoms.
— Maria N.
September 10, 2003
It sounds very much like classoc sleep apnea, only those with Severe Sleep
Apnea tend to 'stop' breathing for a while. It is the snoring that is one
of the tell tale signs, in that you are trying to get in more air to the
air way, through the mouth and the nose, causing the flap of tissue near
the esophagus to 'flutter', thereby in turn causing you to snore and
sometime jerk yourself out of deep sleep. You may not wake completely, but
you are not getting into deep REM sleep. The headaches are another telling
point. By reducing the flow of oxygen to the blood, a type of oxygen
deprivation or 'narcosis' sets in, and the headaches are a built in
response to the brain to 'wake up now!' You'll find that if you wake up
with a headache, and you get up and go outside for some fresh air and walk
around, it will tend to disappear, because of the fresh supply of oxygen
being taken into the bloodstream via the lungs. Sorry if this was too long,
but I have had severe obstructive sleep apnea for nearly 8 years
(diagnosed), and can't wait to have surgery so the symptons will go away,
along with about 200 extra lbs. I don't need!
— track
September 10, 2003
This is what I was told at a sleep study: Sleep Apnea is when you stop
breathing at certain pints through the night. A sleep disturbance woul be
one that does not wake you up, nor soes it stop your breathing. One
instance would be "restless leg syndrome".
— M B.
September 10, 2003
Hello,I had a sleep study done in June and was diagnosed with both sleap
apnea and sleep disturbances. I quit breathing 587 times in 6 hours, and
was awaken 13 times from disturbances, like leg jerks, thrashing. The
Doctor explained the disturbances as my body trying to wake me up so that I
would breathe. Hope this helps
Deb
— Debra W.
September 10, 2003
Back in 1999 I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, during my sleep study, I had
unconsiously awakened 63 time in a 7 hour period. I didn't have the body
thrashings however. I would sleep for 7-8 hours at night, yet I would get
up in the morning and fall back to sleep sitting in my chair. I could fall
asleep anywhere at anytime. I was always exhausted. I would wake in the
morning with excrutiating headaches and we won't even talk about the
snoring. I had my tonsils and adnoids removed (at the age of 35)which for
the most part took care of the restless sleep, I still snore however, just
asked my husband. Don't know if this helps or not, just my own experience.
Linn
— Linn R.
September 10, 2003
I have been diagnosed with Restless Leg Syndrome and Period Limb Movement
Disorder. When I had a sleep study done, it showed that I woke up 108 times
and kicked 328 times in 6 hours. To control these slep disorders, I have to
take medicines that are normally given for Parkinson's disease. From my
understanding, sleep apnea can be inproved or even go away with weight
loss. RLS and PLMD will be with me the rest of my life no matter how much I
weight. Aint life grand??? HEHEHEHE!
— S A.
September 10, 2003
waking up coughing , choking, sore throat CAN also be a sign of reflux.
— **willow**
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