Sleep apnea is a silent killer. How to recognize it:

Key feature is going to be DAYTIME SOMNOLENCE. As soon as you see anything suggesting this symptom, think sleep apnea

A person does not have to be obese to have it although being obese increases the probability further.

Spouses complain about snoring in sleep apnea patients and falling asleep on the wheel while driving. Other associated symptoms are not feeling refreshed on waking up in the morning and nightmares and cramps in legs. Patient may get hypertension and eventually, as the pulmonary hypertension sets in, patient starts to get right heart failure.

Diagnosis is made by a sleep study (Polysomnography).

Parameters monitored during one include: EKG, EEG, Pulse oximetry, Chest movement, Air flow at the nostril/mouth, gaps between breaths and few others that are not important.

There are chiefly 2 types of sleep apnea.

Obstructive: This is due to a mechanical obstruction to the flow of air in the airways.

And

Central: This is due to the lack of impulse of breathing from the central respiratory center. These patients are typically obese and this is also called the Pickwickian syndrome.

The patient is typically sleepy in the daytime in both types. The obstructive type is associated with snoring and near choking at night.

The central sleep apnea is not associated with this and typically is associated with breathing that resembles Cheyne stokes respirations.

Diagnosis is made using a sleep study overnight.

Treatment typically requires a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine that blows air at a pressure during sleep.

In central apnea it prevents long periods of apnea and in obstructive type, it helps keep the airway open and unobstructed.