Sleep Apnea: Difference between revisions

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== Etiology  ==
== Etiology  ==
[[File:OSA2.jpg|right|frameless|424x424px]]
Sleep apnea occurs when there is not enough space to accommodate sufficient airflow in a portion of the upper airway during sleep.  
Sleep apnea occurs when there is not enough space to accommodate sufficient airflow in a portion of the upper airway during sleep.  
* When muscle tone is decreased, the result is a repetitive total or partial collapse of the airway.  
* When muscle tone is decreased, the result is a repetitive total or partial collapse of the airway.  
* In children, the most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea is enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids.  
* In children, the most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea is enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids.  
* In adults, it is most commonly associated with [[obesity]], male sex, and [[Older People - An Introduction|advancing age]].<ref name=":0">Slowik JM, Collen JF. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459252/ Obstructive Sleep Apnea].(2019)Available from:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459252/ (last accessed 5.10.2020)</ref>
* In adults, it is most commonly associated with [[obesity]], male sex, and [[Older People - An Introduction|advancing age]].<ref name=":0">Slowik JM, Collen JF. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459252/ Obstructive Sleep Apnea].(2019)Available from:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459252/ (last accessed 5.10.2020)</ref>
Factors that contribute to airway obstruction are:<ref name="diagnose5" />
*Obesity
*Large neck circumference
*Large tongue or tonsils
*Narrow airway due to bony structures of head and neck
*Taking sedative medication
*Drinking alcohol
*Smoking
*Nasal congestion
Medical disorders associated with OSA include:
Medical disorders associated with OSA include:
* [[Stroke]]
* [[Stroke]]
Line 43: Line 53:
* May also complain of waking to gasp for breath or choking, sleep maintenance insomnia, night sweats, nighttime reflux, and nocturia in the absence of excessive nighttime liquid intake.  
* May also complain of waking to gasp for breath or choking, sleep maintenance insomnia, night sweats, nighttime reflux, and nocturia in the absence of excessive nighttime liquid intake.  
* Typically larger than average neck circumference (17 inches in males) with crowded oropharynx and large tongue.  
* Typically larger than average neck circumference (17 inches in males) with crowded oropharynx and large tongue.  
* Retrognathism may be present.  
* Retrognathism (an abnormal posterior positioning of the maxilla or mandible relative to the facial skeleton and soft tissues) may be present.  
Patients with refractory atrial fibrillation, resistant hypertension, and history of a stroke should be screened for sleep apnea regardless of symptoms.
Patients with refractory atrial fibrillation, resistant hypertension, and history of a stroke should be screened for sleep apnea regardless of symptoms<ref name=":0" />.


2. Typical child with obstructive sleep apnea
2. Typical child with obstructive sleep apnea
Line 50: Line 60:
* May be hyperactive rather than sleepy
* May be hyperactive rather than sleepy
* May have academic difficulties.  
* May have academic difficulties.  
* These children can be incorrectly diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).  
* These children can be incorrectly diagnosed with [[Attention Deficit Disorders|attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]] (ADHD).  
* Night sweats, nighttime reflux, sleep maintenance insomnia, restless sleep with frequent limb movements, and secondary nocturnal enuresis may also be present.  
* Night sweats, nighttime reflux, sleep maintenance insomnia, restless sleep with frequent limb movements, and secondary nocturnal enuresis may also be present.  
* A physical exam is often notable for adenoidal facies, tonsillar hypertrophy, hyponasal speech, and high arched palate.  
* A physical exam is often notable for adenoidal facies ( long, open-mouthed face of children with adenoid hypertrophy<ref>Radiopedia [https://radiopaedia.org/articles/adenoid-facies-2 Adenoid Facies] Available from:https://radiopaedia.org/articles/adenoid-facies-2 (last accessed 6.10.2020)</ref>), tonsillar hypertrophy, hyponasal speech, and high arched palate.  
Patients with Down syndrome and any other condition associated with hypotonia should be screened for obstructive sleep apnea regardless of symptoms.
Patients with [[Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21)|Down syndrome]] and any other condition associated with hypotonia should be screened for obstructive sleep apnea regardless of symptoms.<ref name=":0" />


== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
Line 67: Line 77:
* There are surgical options for adults, but these are usually reserved for severe obstructive sleep apnea and patients unable to tolerate noninvasive treatment modalities due to surgical risks and varying efficacy.<ref name=":0" /><br>
* There are surgical options for adults, but these are usually reserved for severe obstructive sleep apnea and patients unable to tolerate noninvasive treatment modalities due to surgical risks and varying efficacy.<ref name=":0" /><br>


== Diagnostic Tests/Lab Tests/Lab Values  ==
== Evaluation  ==
*
# Nighttime in-laboratory Level 1 polysomnography (PSG) is the standard gold test for diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. During the test, patients are monitored with EEG leads, pulse oximetry, temperature and pressure sensors to detect nasal and oral airflow, respiratory impedance plethysmography or similar resistance belts around the chest and abdomen to detect motion, an ECG lead, and EMG sensors to detect muscle contraction in the chin, chest, and legs. A hypopnea can be based on one of two criteria. It can either be a reduction in airflow of at least 30% for more than 10 seconds associated with at least 4% oxygen desaturation or a reduction in airflow of at least 30% for more than 10 [[Image:Pediatric polysomnogram.jpg|right|200x160px|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polysomnography|frameless]]seconds associated with at least 3% oxygen desaturation or an arousal from sleep on EEG.<ref name=":0" />
Image R; Polysomnography testing child.


Individuals suspected of OSA undergo a pretest assessment: a history, a clinical examination, and sleep questionnaires.<ref name="diagnose">Shayeb M, Topfer L, Stafinski T, Pawluk L, Menon D. Diagnostic accuracy of level 3 portable sleep tests versus level 1 polysomnography for sleep-disordered breathing: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Canadian Medical Association Journal 2013; 186(1):E25-E51. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3883848/pdf/18600e25.pdf (accessed 7 April 2016).</ref>  
2. Home sleep tests (HST) have gained popularity due to their relative accessibility and lower cost. They are appropriate for adults with a high pretest probability for sleep apnea and no significant medical comorbidities (advanced congestive heart failure, COPD, and neurologic disorders). These are level 3 sleep tests consisting of pulse oximetry, heart rate monitoring, temperature and pressure sensors to detect nasal and oral airflow, resistance belts around the chest and abdomen to detect motion, and a sensor to detect body position.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="diagnose">Shayeb M, Topfer L, Stafinski T, Pawluk L, Menon D. Diagnostic accuracy of level 3 portable sleep tests versus level 1 polysomnography for sleep-disordered breathing: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Canadian Medical Association Journal 2013; 186(1):E25-E51. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3883848/pdf/18600e25.pdf (accessed 7 April 2016).</ref>


*'''History''': possible risk factors, co-morbidities, snoring, and what a normal night of sleep is like to him/her.<ref name="diagnose2">Maurer J. Early diagnosis of sleep related breathing disorders. GMS Current Topics in Otorhinolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery 2010; 7(3): 1-20. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3199834/ (accessed 7 April 2016).</ref>  
Other testing may include
*'''Indices''': AHI (apnea-hypopnea index), RDI (respiratory disturbance index)<ref name="diagnose5" />  
*History: possible risk factors, co-morbidities, snoring, and what a normal night of sleep is like to him/her.<ref name="diagnose2">Maurer J. Early diagnosis of sleep related breathing disorders. GMS Current Topics in Otorhinolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery 2010; 7(3): 1-20. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3199834/ (accessed 7 April 2016).</ref>  
*'''Clinical Examination''': nose, tonsils, palate, tongue, neck circumference, upper airways.<ref name="diagnose2" />&nbsp;<ref name="diagnose3">Culpepper L, Roth T. Recognizing and managing obstructive sleep apnea in primary care. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry 2009; 11(6): 330-338. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2805569/ (accessed 9 April 2016)</ref> Findings are predominantly inconclusive and requires training for proper assessment.<ref name="diagnose2" />  
*Indices: AHI (apnea-hypopnea index), RDI (respiratory disturbance index)<ref name="diagnose5" />  
*'''Questionnaires''': Epworth Sleepiness Score (ESS) for daytime sleepiness; Berlin questionnaire for common OSA risk factors and symptoms.<ref name="diagnose2" />  
*Clinical Examination: nose, tonsils, palate, tongue, neck circumference, upper airways.<ref name="diagnose2" />&nbsp;<ref name="diagnose3">Culpepper L, Roth T. Recognizing and managing obstructive sleep apnea in primary care. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry 2009; 11(6): 330-338. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2805569/ (accessed 9 April 2016)</ref> Findings are predominantly inconclusive and requires training for proper assessment.<ref name="diagnose2" />  
*'''Oximetry''': analyze oxygen saturation of hemoglobin to help identify individuals unlikely to have OSA.<ref name="diagnose3" />&nbsp;[[Image:Pediatric polysomnogram.jpg|thumb|right|200x160px|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polysomnography]]
*Questionnaires: Epworth Sleepiness Score (ESS) for daytime sleepiness; Berlin questionnaire for common OSA risk factors and symptoms.<ref name="diagnose2" />  
 
*Oximetry: analyze oxygen saturation of hemoglobin to help identify individuals unlikely to have OSA.<ref name="diagnose3" /><br>
For the diagnosis of sleep disorders, including OSA, the standard test is '''Level 1 polysomnography'''.&nbsp;Individual spends the night in asleep laboratory, where a sleep technician is present, and 7 to 16+ channels are monitored.&nbsp;These channels track the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, and neurologic system.&nbsp;It can also monitor sleep duration, sleep arousals, and sleep stages.<ref name="diagnose" />
 
For those with a high probability of moderate to severe OSA, a good diagnostic test is '''Level 3 portable device (polygraph)'''.&nbsp;Portable monitors are brought into the individual’s home or preferred location.&nbsp;These monitors look at at least 3 channels: oximetry, airflow, and respiratory effort in sleep.&nbsp;It does not record sleep duration, arousals, sleep stages, or non respiratory sleep disorders.<ref name="diagnose" /><br>
 
== Etiology/Causes  ==
 
[[Image:OSA2.jpg|425x330px]]
 
<br> Relaxation of the throat and tongue muscles during sleep obstructs the airway and can decrease or stop breathing.
 
Factors that contribute to airway obstruction are:<ref name="diagnose5" />
 
*Obesity
*Large neck circumference
*Large tongue or tonsils
*Narrow airway due to bony structures of head and neck
*Taking sedative medication
*Drinking alcohol
*Smoking
*Nasal congestion<br>


== Systemic Involvement  ==
== Systemic Involvement  ==

Revision as of 07:13, 6 October 2020

 

Definition/Description[edit | edit source]

Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing is interrupted or paused during sleep. The pauses in breathing can last a few seconds to minutes and are long enough to:

These breathing interruptions can occur more than 30 times an hour and significantly impair the quality of sleep. Because of this, sleep apnea is a leading cause of excessive daytime sleepiness.[1]
There are three types of sleep apnea: central, obstructive and mixed. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common and the main focus of this article.

  1. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by repeated partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway that diminishes or stops breathing. 
  2. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain is less sensitive to changes in carbon dioxide levels in the blood and fails to send signals to the respiratory muscles to breathe deeper.
  3. Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea episodes.[1]

Etiology[edit | edit source]

OSA2.jpg

Sleep apnea occurs when there is not enough space to accommodate sufficient airflow in a portion of the upper airway during sleep.

  • When muscle tone is decreased, the result is a repetitive total or partial collapse of the airway.
  • In children, the most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea is enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids.
  • In adults, it is most commonly associated with obesity, male sex, and advancing age.[2]

Factors that contribute to airway obstruction are:[3]

  • Obesity
  • Large neck circumference
  • Large tongue or tonsils
  • Narrow airway due to bony structures of head and neck
  • Taking sedative medication
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Smoking
  • Nasal congestion

Medical disorders associated with OSA include:

Epidemiology[edit | edit source]

  • In the United States, it has been reported that 4% of men and 2% of women meet criteria for obstructive sleep apnea.
  • More recently, prevalence has been reported to be as high as 14% of men and 5% of women in the United States.
  • Prevalence is higher in Hispanic, African American, and Asian populations[2].
  • Prevalence also increases with age, and when individuals reach 50 years of age or more, there are as many women as men who develop the disorder. 
  • Genetics and abnormalities or conditions of the craniofacial morphology also increase the likelihood of OSA. Individuals with a first-degree relative with OSA were at a 1.5-2x increased risk of developing OSA[2].[4]
  • OSA is common in individuals who spend long periods of time sitting and driving, such as commercial truck drivers.[5]

Characteristics/Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]

  1. SnS.jpg
    Typical adult obstructive sleep apnea patient
  • Overweight or obese middle-aged male or postmenopausal female with excessive daytime sleepiness and loud nightly snoring.
  • May also complain of waking to gasp for breath or choking, sleep maintenance insomnia, night sweats, nighttime reflux, and nocturia in the absence of excessive nighttime liquid intake.
  • Typically larger than average neck circumference (17 inches in males) with crowded oropharynx and large tongue.
  • Retrognathism (an abnormal posterior positioning of the maxilla or mandible relative to the facial skeleton and soft tissues) may be present.

Patients with refractory atrial fibrillation, resistant hypertension, and history of a stroke should be screened for sleep apnea regardless of symptoms[2].

2. Typical child with obstructive sleep apnea

  • Loud nightly snoring
  • May be hyperactive rather than sleepy
  • May have academic difficulties.
  • These children can be incorrectly diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • Night sweats, nighttime reflux, sleep maintenance insomnia, restless sleep with frequent limb movements, and secondary nocturnal enuresis may also be present.
  • A physical exam is often notable for adenoidal facies ( long, open-mouthed face of children with adenoid hypertrophy[6]), tonsillar hypertrophy, hyponasal speech, and high arched palate.

Patients with Down syndrome and any other condition associated with hypotonia should be screened for obstructive sleep apnea regardless of symptoms.[2]

Treatment[edit | edit source]

For adults, the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most effective treatment

  • Adherence to nightly CPAP use can result in near complete resolution of symptoms.
  • For patients unable or unwilling to use CPAP or those who will be unable to access electricity reliably, custom fitted and titrated oral appliances can be used to bring the lower jaw forward and relieve airway obstruction.
  • Severe obstructive sleep apnea can be treated with BiPAP as well and is better tolerated by patients who require higher pressure settings (greater than 15 cm to 20 cm H2O).
  • For all patients, it is important to address any concomitant nasal obstruction with nasal steroids for allergic rhinitis or surgically for nasal valve collapse.
  • For obstructive sleep apnea with a strong positional component. Positioning devices to keep a patient on his or her side can be an option.
  • Weight loss is recommended and can often decrease the severity of obstructive sleep apnea, it is not usually curative by itself.
  • The primary treatment for obstructive sleep apnea in a child is tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. The consideration for surgery should be balanced with the severity of symptoms, physical exam, and age. In mild cases, a trial of montelukast and nasal steroids may be enough to reduce the apnea-hypopnea index to goal.
  • There are surgical options for adults, but these are usually reserved for severe obstructive sleep apnea and patients unable to tolerate noninvasive treatment modalities due to surgical risks and varying efficacy.[2]

Evaluation[edit | edit source]

  1. Nighttime in-laboratory Level 1 polysomnography (PSG) is the standard gold test for diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. During the test, patients are monitored with EEG leads, pulse oximetry, temperature and pressure sensors to detect nasal and oral airflow, respiratory impedance plethysmography or similar resistance belts around the chest and abdomen to detect motion, an ECG lead, and EMG sensors to detect muscle contraction in the chin, chest, and legs. A hypopnea can be based on one of two criteria. It can either be a reduction in airflow of at least 30% for more than 10 seconds associated with at least 4% oxygen desaturation or a reduction in airflow of at least 30% for more than 10
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polysomnography
    seconds associated with at least 3% oxygen desaturation or an arousal from sleep on EEG.[2]

Image R; Polysomnography testing child.

2. Home sleep tests (HST) have gained popularity due to their relative accessibility and lower cost. They are appropriate for adults with a high pretest probability for sleep apnea and no significant medical comorbidities (advanced congestive heart failure, COPD, and neurologic disorders). These are level 3 sleep tests consisting of pulse oximetry, heart rate monitoring, temperature and pressure sensors to detect nasal and oral airflow, resistance belts around the chest and abdomen to detect motion, and a sensor to detect body position.[2][7]

Other testing may include

  • History: possible risk factors, co-morbidities, snoring, and what a normal night of sleep is like to him/her.[8]
  • Indices: AHI (apnea-hypopnea index), RDI (respiratory disturbance index)[3]
  • Clinical Examination: nose, tonsils, palate, tongue, neck circumference, upper airways.[8] [9] Findings are predominantly inconclusive and requires training for proper assessment.[8]
  • Questionnaires: Epworth Sleepiness Score (ESS) for daytime sleepiness; Berlin questionnaire for common OSA risk factors and symptoms.[8]
  • Oximetry: analyze oxygen saturation of hemoglobin to help identify individuals unlikely to have OSA.[9]

Systemic Involvement[edit | edit source]

Cardiovascular System
OSA causes the level of oxygen in the blood to decrease and the level of carbon dioxide to increase. This leads to a sympathetic activity, vasoconstriction and inflammation. In some OSA episodes, blood pressure can rise as high as 240/130 mm Hg[10].

Some complications of the changing hemodynamics are[10]:

  •  Hypertension
  •  Heart Failure
  •  Arrhythmias
  •  Stroke
  •  Myocardial Infarction
  •  Renal Disease


Metabolic Dysfunction 
The increased sympathetic activity, increased catecholamines and other metabolic disturbances can lead to[10]:

  • Diabetes Mellitus
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Glucose Intolerance
  • Metabolic Syndrome


Psychological Problems
Although the exact relationship between OSA and depression is not yet clearly understood, some studies have shown a decrease in the symptoms of depression after treatment of OSA[9].

Medical Management[edit | edit source]

A variety of methods are utilized to treat individuals with OSA:

  • Weight reduction (diet, exercise, medications)[5] [11]
  • Sleep positioning (avoid supine with positional devices)[5]
  • Pharmacological treatments (topical nasal corticosteroids as an adjunct, refer to Medications for more information)[5]
  • Oral applicances (Dental applicances)[5]
  • Upper air reconstructive or bypass surgeries[5] 

Oral Appliances

  • Mandibular repositioning appliances (MRA): holds the mandible in an advanced position
  • Tongue retaining devices (TRD): holds the tongue forward

These attempt to avoid blockage of the upper airways while sleeping, and are commonly used for mild to moderate OSA and for those who do not benefit from CPAP.[5] 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positive_airway_pressure

Positive airway pressure (PAP) 

PAP, especially CPAP, is the most common method of treatment for mild, moderate, and severe OSA. PAP provides pneumatic splinting to maintain the opening of the upper airway and effectively decreases AHI (Apnea Hypopnea Index= number of apnea or hypopnea episodes per hour of sleep).[5] [12] Normal AHI is less than 5 per hour.[12] PAP can be provided in several ways: continuous (CPAP, the gold standard), bilevel (BPAP), and autotitrating (APAP) and via three interfaces: nasal, oral, or nasoral.[5] 

Surgical Interventions

These try to improve the airway passages via nasal, oral, oropharyngeal, nasopharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, laryngeal, and global airways. Possible surgeries include:

  • Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA): moves top and lower jaw to increase upper airway[12]
  • Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: removes excess tissue at back of throat (ex: uvula) to increase airway[12]

Surgical procedures are beneficial for those with severely obstructive anatomy and unsuccessful treatments with CPAPs or OAs.[5]

Hypoglossal Nerve-Stimulating System (HGNS)

 This treatment, the insertion of the Hypoglossal Nerve-Stimulating System (HGNS), is currently being studied. The Hypoglossal Nerve is the cranial nerve that innervates the tongue, especially the genioglossus muscle, and it plays a large role in maintaining airway patency. The genioglossus "protrudes the tongue, dilates the pharynx, and mitigates airflow obstruction during sleep."[13]

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Genioglossus.png

This method has been studied via submental transcutaneous stimulation, direct fine wire stimulation, and direct hypoglossal stimulation.

  • Submental transcutaneous stimulation: aroused patients from sleep without clear improvements in the airflow, but may increase lingual muscle tone and improve airway patency.   
  • Direct fine wire stimulation: produced effective contractions of the genioglossus to improve pharyngeal patency.   
  • Direct hypoglossal stimulation: implantation of hypoglossal cuff electrodes around the proximal and distal nerve trunk can increase pharyngeal patency and decrease pharyngeal collapsibility without arousing the patients. The development of a fully implantable HGNS is currently being studied.[13]

Physical Therapy Management[edit | edit source]

Although there is little research providing sound evidence based physical therapy interventions for OSA at this time, it often goes undiagnosed providing opportunities for physical therapists to identify, educate and refer patients who present with signs and symptoms of OSA. Undiagnosed OSA is associated with increased risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, motor vehicle accidents and reduced quality of life[14].  

Physical Therapists can educate patients on OSA:

  • Signs and symptoms
  • Risk factors
  • Associated co-morbidities
  • How to get diagnosed/tested
  • Risks of undiagnosed OSA

Exercises For Obstructive Sleep Apnea[edit | edit source]

EXERCISES FOR THE TONGUE
TONGUE BRUSHING
Method:
1. With your toothbrush brush the top and sides of your tongue, while your tongue is sitting on the floor of your mouth.
2. Repeat the individual sections 5 times each.
3. Complete the exercise three times daily.
Purpose – to strengthen the tongue muscles-with the added advantage of maintaining great oral hygiene!



Tongue brushin Exercise1.png


TONGUE SLIDE
Method:
1. Looking straight ahead, position the tip of your tongue against the back of your top, front teeth.
2. Slide your tongue backward.
3. Repeat 10 times.
Purpose – to tone and strengthen the tongue and throat muscles.
Tongue exercise2.png TONGUE FORCES
Method:
1. Forcibly suck your tongue upward until the whole tongue is against your palate.
2. Hold this position for 4 seconds.
3. Repeat 5 times.
Method:
1. Force the back of your tongue downward until the whole tongue is resting on the floor of your mouth.
2. Keep the tip of your tongue touching the back of your lower teeth.
3. Hold for 4 seconds.
4. Repeat 5 times.
Purpose - both of these exercises strengthen the tongue and tone your soft palate.

Tongue Force.pngTONGUE PRESS
Method:
1. Push your tongue against your hard palate (the top and front of your mouth).
2. Do this for 5 seconds.
3. Slide your tongue backward to the back of your mouth.
4. The initial third of your tongue should be against your hard palate, not just the tip.
5. Keep your jaw open throughout the exercise.
6. Refrain from biting down - keep your teeth apart.
7. Repeat this movement 10 times.
8. Repeat 4 times a day.
Purpose – to strengthen the genioglossus (the main muscle used for sticking your tongue out), and to increase the strength in the hyoid muscles and bone. The hyoid bone is located in the centre of the neck. It sits between the chin and thyroid cartilage.
The exercise assists by putting the hyoid bone in the correct position and keeping it there1.
The hyoid bone is a free moving, u-shaped bone in the neck. The volume of the tongue should reduce too.


Tongue Press.png

Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Other diagnoses, especially other sleep disorders, may present as OSA due to similar symptoms (ex: fatigue, excessive sleepiness, HTN, sleep disturbance).[15] Alternative diagonses include:

  • Nocturnal Frontal Lobe Epilepsy[16]
  • REM Behaviour Disorder[12]
  • Periodic Limb Movement Disorder[12] [3]
  • Central Sleep Apnea[12] [3]
  • Insomnia[9]
  • Aging and Age-Related Changes (sleeping less, tiredness, nocturia)[9]
  • Medications (side effects, multiple prescriptions)[9]
  • Hypothyroidism[9] [3]
  • Narcolepsy[17] [3]
  • Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD)[17]
  • Idiopathic Hypersomnia[17]
  • Asthma[3]
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)[3]
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmmonary Disease (COPD)[3]
  • Depression[9] [3]

Case Reports/ Case Studies[edit | edit source]

1. Daoulah A, Ocheltree S, Al-Faifi S, Ahmed W, Asrar F, Lotfi A. Sleep apnea and severe bradyarrhythmia – an alternative treatment option: a case report. J Med Case Reports 2015; 9(1): 113-117.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4437673/ (OSA and Bradyarrhythmia)

2. Guimarães T, Colen S, Cunali P, Rossi R, Dal-Fabbro C, Ferraz O, et al. Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea with mandibular advancement appliance over prostheses: A case report. Sleep Science 2015;8(2):103-106. 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4608885/ (Treatment of OSA with Mandibular Appliance)

3. Fang H, Miao N, Chen C, Sithole T, Chung M. Risk of Cancer in Patients with Insomnia, Parasomnia, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Nationwide Nested Case-Control Study. J Cancer 2015;6(11):1140-1147.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4615350/ (OSA and Cancer)

4. Cadby G, McArdle N, Briffa T, Hillman D, Simpson L, Knuiman M, et al. Severity of OSA Is an Independent Predictor of Incident Atrial Fibrillation Hospitalization in a Large Sleep-Clinic Cohort Chest. 2015;148(4):945-952.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0012369215502833 (OSA and A-fib)

5. Meuleners L, Fraser M, Govorko M, Stevenson M. Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Health-Related Factors, and Long Distance Heavy Vehicle Crashes in Western Australia: A Case Control Study. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine 2015; 11(4): 413-418.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4365454/ (OSA and MVA)

Resources[edit | edit source]

American Sleep Apnea Association

American Sleep Association (ASA)

Talk About Sleep

National Sleep Foundation

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Strohl KP. Sleep Apnea [Internet]. Kenilworth (NJ): Merck & Co., Inc.; c2016 [cited 2016 Mar 30]. Available from: http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/lung-and-airway-disorders/sleep-apnea/sleep-apnea
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Slowik JM, Collen JF. Obstructive Sleep Apnea.(2019)Available from:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459252/ (last accessed 5.10.2020)
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 Downey III R, Rowley J, Wickramasinghe H, Gold P. Obstructive Sleep Apnea Differential Diagnoses. Emedicinemedscapecom. 2016. Available at: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/295807-differential. Accessed April 9, 2016.
  4. Lam J, Sharma S, Lam B. Obstructive sleep apnea: Definitions, epidemiology & natural history. Indian J Med Res 2010;131:165-170. http://pharexmedics.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/sleepapnea_ebook.pdf (accessed 3 April 2016).
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