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Sleep Apnea

My Research Continues

In a recent issue of AvMed Magazine - Summer 2008, I found yet another article addressing Sleep Apnea. The article titled "Sleep Matters, Snoring - Something to Lose Sleep Over" by: Dr. James Krainson, M.D. Dr. Krainson spent most of the article addressing most prevalent symptoms and most important what this disorder can do to the patient that happens to be afflicted.

I have to concur, this sleep disorder and its treatment is still very much in its infant stage within the medical field. My physician has been treating me for going on seven years now one symptom at a time. My blood pressure has been steadily climbing requiring more medicine to maintain its control. My weight over the last two to three years has increased what I think to be drastically, and my level of fatigue is ever increasing too.

Not trying to damage my current physician’s reputation as a good doctor, she has treated my blood pressure successfully with each increase in its level, but it seems like we have been taking each ailment, applying the fix and not taking a step back to say what else could be contributing factors to these changes in my physical condition?

I met recently with Dr. Mike Zachary Phd, LMHC,DABSM Board Certified Sleep Specialist with The Sleep Medicine Center, located in Jacksonville Beach to go over my sleep study performed at Shands in Jacksonville. After explaining some of my past symptoms or what I like to call what’s been happening with me the last several years physically - hypertension, irritability, difficulty staying awake during the day, while driving for heaven’s sake, and now, recently sudden weight gain.

Mike quickly shared with me a theory that he professes with his clients that blew me away. While I am sleeping, my oxygen levels in my blood are constantly swinging from normal to high levels of abnormal because I’m not getting the proper air flow, ie., proper oxygen during sleep and it’s effecting my blood’s ph level. When my blood’s ph level is erratic, my liver thinks I’m starving and starts to store food as fat versus the proper processing it as energy and aiding in the burning of those calories I have ingested. Who knew?

Dr. Krainson, M.D., in the AvMed article goes on to elaborate on the symptoms of Sleep Apnea. He says the first is: " A person with sleep apnea frequently feels tired during the day. When the upper airway closes, the person either breathes very shallowly or stops breathing completely. This causes the brain to respond and arouse the person enough to open their airway." "Lack of good quality sleep can result in daytime sleepiness, difficulty with concentration and memory, and even irritability." Sounds familiar.

Secondly, "a person with obstructive sleep apnea suffers with effects to the cardiovascular system. It has been recognized as a leading cause of preventable hypertension. It also has been associated with many different cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, heart attacks, irregular heartbeats, transient ischemic attacks (mini strokes) and strokes." This sounds familiar too.

Dr. Krainson, M.D. went on to identify other common symptoms as: "dry mouth, waking up with a choking sensation, morning headache, decreased libido, observed pauses in breathing and falling asleep at inappropriate times in a non-stimulating environment (e.g., riding in a car)." I think I’m looking in a mirror.

He goes on to say: "As with all disorders, treatment should be tailored to the individual patient and alternative therapies should be discussed. Treatment is available only when a diagnosis can be made - and only about 5 percent of patients with sleep apnea have been diagnosed. Thus, it is imperative to seek medical attention if you, or anyone you know, has any of these symptoms." Once again, I concur.

Dr. James P. Krainson is a Diplomat of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Director of the South Florida Sleep Diagnostic Center located at: 9380 SW 150 Street, Suite 200, Miami, FL 33176 Phone: 305-255-0777.

Dr. Mike Zachary Phd. Is a licensed Mental Health Counselor and Board Certified Sleep Specialist. Also a Diplomat of the American Board of Sleep Medicine, Fellow, American College of Chest Physicians, Fellow, American College of Forensic Examiners. 4600 Touchton Rd. Building 100, Suite 150, Jacksonville, Florida 32256 Phone: 904-281-1066.