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Sleep apnea: a treatable disor-der in which a person stopsbreathing during sleep, oftenhundreds of times during thenight.Sleep apnea is a common disorder thataffects millions of men, women, and chil-dren but is often undiagnosed, despite thepotentially serious consequences of the dis-order. It is estimated that at least ten millionAmericans have unrecognized sleep apnea.

"Apnea" is a Greek word meaning "withoutbreath;" those with apnea literally stopbreathing in their sleep. An apnea is clini-cally defined in adults as a cessation ofbreath that lasts at least ten seconds and inchildren as a cessation of breath that laststhe equivalent of two-and-a-half missedbreaths. In addition to apneas, hypopneasare often present. "Hypopnea" also comesfrom Greek: "hypo" meaning "beneath" or"less than normal" and "pnea" meaning"breath." A hypopnea is not a complete ces-sation of breath but a reduction in airflow ora struggle to breathe. With each apnea andhypopnea, the oxygen level in the blood-stream typically drops.

The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) or respira-tory disturbance index (RDI) refers to thetotal number of apneas and hypopneasdivided by the total amount of sleep duringthe sleep study. The AHI is one measure ofthe severity of the sleep apnea.

There are three different types of apnea:obstructive, central, or mixed (a combinationof obstructive and central). Obstructivesleep apnea is the most common. Usually

the soft tissue in the rear of the throat collaps-es and closes the airway so that sufferers ofsleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly duringsleep, as frequently as a hundred times anhour and often for a minute or longer.

With each apnea, the brain receives a signal toarouse the person from sleep in order toresume breathing, but consequently sleep isextremely fragmented and of poor quality.People with untreated sleep apnea are gener-ally not even aware of the awakenings butonly of being sleepy during the day. Theymay, however, realize that they snore or gaspfor air during sleep. Loud snoring, punctuatedwith periods of silence (the apneas), is typicalbut is not always present, especially in chil-dren.

Consequences of untreated sleep apneainclude high blood pressure and other cardio-vascular disease, and weight gain. Peoplewith untreated sleep apnea may also complainof falling asleep inappropriately, morningheadaches, memory problems, feelings ofdepression, reflux, nocturia (a need to use thebathroom frequently at night), and impotence.Children with untreated apnea may be hyper-active. Untreated sleep apnea, like sleep dep-rivation, may be responsible for job impair-ment and motor vehicle accidents. Apnea is aconcern with certain medications and generalanesthesia.

Risk factors for sleep apnea include a familyhistory of sleep apnea, excess weight, a largeneck, a recessed chin, male sex, abnormalitiesin the structure of the upper airway, ethnicity(African-Americans, Pacific Islanders, andMexicans), smoking, and alcohol use. Yetsleep apnea can affect both males and females,

WHAT'S YOUR SNORE SCORE™ ?1. Are you a loud and/or regular snorer?

Yes No

2. Have you been observed to gasp or stop breathing during sleep?

Yes No

3. Do you feel tired or groggy upon awakening, or do you awaken with a headache?

Yes No

4. Are you often tired or fatigued during the wake time hours?

Yes No

5. Do you fall asleep sitting, reading, watching TV or driving?

6. Do you often have problems with memory or concentration?

Yes No

including children of all ages, and any weight.

You're not theonly oneaffected bysleep apnea…

As a member of theAmerican Sleep ApneaAssociation, youbelong to anorganization with thousands of peopleacross America affected by sleep apnea.You receive a year-long subscription to theASAA newsletter, WAKE-UP CALLTheWellness Letter for Snoring and SleepApnea with useful articles such as "SleepApnea and Anesthesia," "Sleep Apnea inChildren," "Understanding a Sleep Study"and the "Ask the Doctor" column. The onlysleep apnea wellness newsletter publishedin America, WAKE-UP CALLalso gives youinformation on current developments in thefield of sleep medicine and social and legalissues people with sleep apnea face.

In addition, you will receive a medical-alertidentification bracelet or necklace to helpassure that you will receive appropriatetreatment for your sleep apnea during amedical emergency. You are also invited toparticipate in the ASAA A.W.A.K.E.Network with more than 200 mutual-helpgroups throughout the country.

Join today and help to build a strongorganization - for you and others like you.

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If you have one or more of these symptoms you are at higher risk for having obstructive sleep apnea. If you are also overweight, have a large neck, and/or have high blood pressure the risk increases even further.

If you or someone close to you answers “yes” to any of the above questions, you should discuss your symptoms with your physician or a sleep specialist. Or ask the American Sleep Apnea Association for more information on the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea. Different treatment options exist; which is right for you depends upon the severity of your apnea and other aspects of the disorder. Talk to your doctor about choices. Untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can be extremely serious and cannot be ignored.

You may also be interested in attending a meeting of an ASAA A.W.A.K.E. group (A.W.A.K.E. stands for “Alert, Well, And Keeping Energetic,” characteristics that are uncommon in people with untreated sleep apnea.) Contact the ASAA for more information about one in your area.

Yes No

© 2006 American Sleep Apnea Association

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The American Sleep Apnea Association6856 Eastern Avenue NW, Suite 203

Washington, DC 20012Phone: 202/293-3650Fax: 202/293-3656www.sleepapnea.org

Please detach this form and return it with a check made payable to the American Sleep Apnea Association and mail to the ASAA at 6856 Eastern Avenue NW, Suite 203, Washington, DC 20012

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