About Allergies: Sleep Apnea Can Affect Allergies and Asthma

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Allergies Allergies Symptoms / Diagnosis Treatment Coping From Daniel More, MD, your Guide to Allergies Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition which results from the collapsing of the tissues of the throat during sleeping, resulting in severe snoring and episodes of apnea (breathing stops momentarily). This results in low oxygen levels in the blood stream, and the lack of restful sleep. People with OSA are usually tired regardless of how much sleep they get; often have morning headaches and uncontrolled acid reflux. Chronic OSA, when left untreated, can cause a multitude of medical problems, including severe asthma, coughing, acid reflux, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and chronic lung conditions. Children can also be affected by sleep apnea, especially when the tonsils and adenoid tissues are enlarged from allergies. Find out more about sleep apnea, including symptoms that suggest the diagnosis, how the condition is tested for, and the treatments that are available. How Sleep Apnea Affects Asthma Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, or simply sleep apnea, is a disease process caused by repeated episodes of closing of the upper airway during sleep, resulting in the reduction of airflow and oxygen to the lungs. This can lead to low oxygen levels in the blood stream, gasping episodes and frequent nighttime awakenings. Studies suggest that people with asthma may be at increased risk for sleep apnea, and that sleep apnea can worsen asthma. Search Related Topics:  sleep apnea  cpap  uppp Sleep Apnea in Children Sleep apnea in children often goes undiagnosed, especially since 20% of normal children will occasionally snore, and only 3% of young children actually have OSA. Preschool age children are the most likely age group to develop OSA, as this is the age at which adenoid and tonsillar hypertrophy is most commonly seen - an important risk factor for OSA. Sleep apnea is more common in boys, overweight children and African American children. Search Related Topics:  sleep apnea  nasal congestion  snoring CPAP for Sleep Apnea CPAP seems to reverse many of the harmful effects of sleep apnea. Acid reflux is improved with the use of CPAP through the increase in the ability of sphincter muscles in the esophagus to keep acid in the stomach. Inflammatory chemicals caused by sleep apnea decrease, causing less inflammation within the body and the lungs. Airflow within the airways is increased with the use of CPAP, leading to better oxygenation of the lungs and decreased contraction of the smooth muscles around the airways. All of these effects lead to improvement in asthma control in people with asthma and sleep apnea. Search Related Topics:  sleep apnea  cpap  uppp Related Searches Allergies and Asthma Snoring Sleep Apnea Asthma Symptoms Allergy or Allergies Severe Allergies Featured Articles Anaphylaxis Allergy Shots and Drops (Immunotherapy) Alternative Therapies in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergies Glossary of Terms Information on the Most Common Allergy Medications Allergy Basics   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...> This newsletter is written by: Daniel More, MD Allergies Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Allergies newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2013 About.com   Must Reads What are Allergies? Symptoms of Allergies Diagnosis of Allergies Treatment of Allergies Preventing Allergies   Follow me on: Advertisement