Sleep Apnea,You can't diagnosis it if you don't think of it

                                                    Sleep Apnea
                                 You can't diagnosis it if you don't  think of it 

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a contributor to :
            * the development  of Diabetes and hypertension
            * to some of the management problems associated with diabetes and hypertension
                     ( including hypoglycemia )
            * To a variety of vague common every day symptoms discussed yesterday

The Diagnosis is easy and painless .
            *  Talk to your doctor about Sleep Apnea
            *  Ask for a consult to a sleep center and sleep specialist

Testing is easy and painless . No blood test involved.

            *  There is a simple unattended screening sleep study . This involves picking up a device  that
                measure pulse and oxygen saturation and a few other things at a sleep center.
                This device is small and attaches to the tip of your ring finger  You wear this all night
                and return it to the sleep center the next morning. The results and recommendations on how to                    
                proceed are reported  to you in a few days.

             
                Our 72 y/o patient , discussed a few days ago , had this test done. He slept  7 hours and had 99
                episodes of  oxygen desaturations with his oxygen (sp o2 levels)  levels dropping down to
                78%. ( normal is about 100 %). His study was reported as definitely abnormal and compatible
                 with having, Obstructive Sleep apnea. He was asked to return for a more complete study that
                 involved spending the night in the sleep center. The primary reason for this test was to
                 determine the pressure needed to overcome the obstruction to air flowing into his lungs.

                CPAP  was ordered  and within 2 months his blood pressure was normal (<130/80 ) with no
                medications, His nasal congestion and morning cough is gone and there is no snoring .  His
                wife is happier because she is now able to have a good nights sleep .
                His A1c and lipid panel are pending.

 More on CPAP and other treatments tomorrow.

                                                                               Have fun , be smart and defeat Diabetes

                                                                                                 David Calder,MD