Cansleep

Definitions

Respiratory medicine concerns the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders affecting the lungs and breathing. The lungs, located within the chest, bring oxygen to the bloodstream and removecarbon dioxide from it. When you breathe in, air passes through the throat into the trachea (windpipe). The base of the trachea divides into the right and left bronchi (tubes). These divide again and again, becoming smaller and smaller until the smallest airways, the alveoli, are reached. Oxygen moves across the walls of the alveoli and enters the bloodstream. After passing through the heart the arteries carry it throughout the body. Carbon dioxide is passed from the blood into the alveoli and is breathed out of the lungs. A range of conditions affect the respiratory system. Common problems include asthma, involving inflammation of the bronchi, which makes them swell, narrowing the airways. Sleep apnoea is characterised by a reduction or pause of airflow during sleep. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is any disorder that persistently obstructs bronchial airflow. COPD mainly involves two related diseases: chronic bronchitis and emphysema.moreSnoring is common in adults and can be a social problem. Those who share a bed with someone who snores can develop sleep difficulties. Snoring can sometimes be a sign of a sleep disorder calledobstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Apnoea involves periods when you partly or completely stop breathing for more than 10 seconds while asleep. The episode is followed by a sudden gasp or snort when breathing resumes. Then, snoring starts again. With OSA, the pauses in breathing occur because the airway has become narrowed, blocked or floppy. As well as OSA, some causes for snoring may include: being overweight; pregnancy; nasal congestion; swelling of the roof of the mouth (soft palate) or uvula (the tissue that hangs down in the back of the mouth); swollen adenoids and tonsils that block the airways; use of sleeping pills, antihistamines or alcohol before bedtime; large tongue size compared to the mouth; and abnormalities in the bones of the face. Factors that increase the risk of OSA include: certain shapes of the palate or airway that make it narrower or collapse more easily; large tonsils and adenoids in children that can block the airway; large neck size; and large tongue. Sleeping on the back also increases sleep apnoea episodes. Many people with OSA wake up unrefreshed in the morning and feel sleepy throughout the day. OSA may lead to leg swelling; depression; and hyperactive behaviour, especially in children. Tests will include an examination of mouth, neck and throat. You may be given a survey on daytime sleepiness, sleep quality and bedtime habits. A sleep study (polysomnogram) is often used to confirm OSA. Treatment aims to keep the airway open so that breathing does not stop during sleep. Lifestyle changes to relieve symptoms, including snoring, may involve: avoiding alcohol or sedatives at bedtime; not sleeping on the back; and losing weight. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a common treatment. CPAP is delivered by a machine with a tight-fitting face mask. It aims to decrease snoring and prevent sleep apnoea. Other treatment options may include: dental appliances to prevent the tongue from falling back; and surgery to the palate, nose, sinuses and airways.moreSleep medicine involves the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of problems associated with sleep. Over 100 different disorders of sleeping and waking have been identified, grouped in four maincategories: problems with falling and staying asleep (insomnia); problems with staying awake (excessive daytime sleepiness); problems with keeping to a regular sleep schedule (sleep rhythm problem); and unusual behaviours during sleep (sleep-disruptive behaviours, e.g. sleep walking). Tests and treatment vary and depend on the specific sleep disorder.more