Why do patients with obstructive sleep apnea complain of excessive daytime sleepiness?

Some patients with severe apnea may have episodes of upper airway obstruction a hundred or more times in one hour. Multiple arousals with sleep fragmentation are the likely cause of excessive daytime sleepiness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Is daytime sleepiness a symptom of sleep apnea?

Daytime sleepiness is a key sign of sleep apnea, ranking right next to snoring and insomnia as one of the more common symptoms that lead people to seek diagnosis for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Can you have sleep apnea and not be tired during the day?

As many as 25\% of apnea sufferers don’t complain of daytime sleepiness. Compliance is a problem because these patients may not see the value of treatment, according to researchers at the American Thoracic Society.

Is sleep apnea a symptom of narcolepsy?

People with narcolepsy may have other sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea — a condition in which breathing starts and stops throughout the night — restless legs syndrome and even insomnia. Some people with narcolepsy experience automatic behavior during brief episodes of narcolepsy.

Which of the following complaints is frequently seen in a patient with obstructive sleep apnea?

The results are paraphrased below. The possible mechanisms through which OSA may lead to cardiovascular disease were examined. OSA patients often have hypoxemia, reoxygenation, sleep arousals, less sleep time than healthy individuals, elevated negative intrathoracic pressure, and, in some individuals, hypercapnia.

What is the meaning of obstructive sleep apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles that support the soft tissues in your throat, such as your tongue and soft palate, temporarily relax. When these muscles relax, your airway is narrowed or closed, and breathing is momentarily cut off.

What is excessive daytime sleepiness?

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is best described as an urge to sleep during daytime hours. It is a common problem, occurring at least three days a week in 4-20\% of the population,1 and affects quality of life, workplace performance, and has safety implications, for example, when driving.

What does excessive sleepiness mean?

Excessive sleepiness is the feeling of being especially tired or drowsy during the day. Unlike fatigue, which is more about low energy, excessive sleepiness can make you feel so tired that it interferes with school, work, and possibly even your relationships and day-to-day functioning.

Why do I forget to breathe during the day?

The interruption of your breathing may indicate a problem with your brain’s signaling. Your brain momentarily “forgets” to tell your muscles to breathe. Central sleep apnea isn’t the same as obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the interruption of breathing due to blocked airways.

What causes daytime sleepiness?

The most common causes of excessive daytime sleepiness are sleep deprivation, obstructive sleep apnea, and sedating medications. Other potential causes of excessive daytime sleepiness include certain medical and psychiatric conditions and sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy.

What is a similarity between sleep apnea and narcolepsy?

The only similarity between sleep apnea and narcolepsy is that both are chronic sleep disorders that affect how well a person sleeps. Both sleep apnea and narcolepsy have symptoms that cause a lack of ability to feel well-rested and the effects of both can seep into everyday lives.