could any of you fine people explain ... - Lung Conditions C...
could any of you fine people explain what sleep apnoea is and how relates to copd ?
It's not related to COPD Sesh, but is a separate condition. However, it's fairly common although (like COPD was until people like the BLF got involved) wasn't acknowledged by even medics just how common it is. I know a lot of people who have both COPD and Sleep Apnoea, and the only difference to their Sleep Apnoea treatment (usually CPAP) is that they often need oxygen when they sleep too, and sometimes need a different machine to CPAP, such as BiPAP or ASV, to help with their exhale pressures. There's more info on Sleep Apnoea on the BLF's website here blf.org.uk/Conditions/Detai...
I do a lot of work both with and without the BLF in raising awareness, and thee most common symptoms for Sleep Apnoea is snoring and daytime tiredness.
Hope this helps.
Kath
thanks kath, i tend to wake myself up by suddenly gasping for breath and I certainly get the daytime tiredness often just nodding off, I will have a look at the website, again thank you
My pleasure Sesh, and it's certainly worth looking into, especially with you saying you wake yourself up gasping for breath. I didn't have a clue I was stopping breathing in my sleep, and it was 30 times per hour! Thought my tiredness was just due to me working a lot of hours.
If you do have sleep apnoea and get treatment, you may even find that some of the problems you have which you might have put down to other medical conditions will improve. I used to have asthma, yet have never needed an inhaler since my diagnosis. I have to say that my asthma wasn't severe though, but even people with severe asthma notice improvements.
I am due to go to a Sleep Disorder Centre in early July. I first of all have to pick up an Oximeter and then use that for a couple of days and return a week later for it to be analysed and meet the consultant. If it is felt necessary I will then have an overnight stay for further assessment.
I have recently sacked my GP and moved to another practice which is so much better. This referral amongst others, Thyroid scan, Cardiologist , etc is from my first visit to the new GP last month. I told her I was SOB and the Inhalers I am taking (Spiriva, QVAR 100 and Serevent) did not seem to be working or have any real effect. I was diagnosed as moderate COPD about six months after my Triple Bypass (I packed in smoking the year before that in 2009).
When I received the paperwork there was an additional questionnaire to complete called STOPBANG and you had to idicate yes or no to the following:
Snoring (loud enough to be heard through closed doors
Tiredness ( do you feel tired during the day even after a good nights sleep)
Observed Apnoea (Has anyone seen stop breathing during sleep)
Pressure (High Blood Pressure?)
BMI above 35
Age (over 50 years)
Neck Size (more than 40 cm)
Gender (Are you Male)
If you answered yes to 3 or more of these questions there is a likelihood of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea)
I passed that test with flying colours 6 out of 8.
Looking forward to seeing if sleep apnoea is implicated in my heart problems or others
David
I am confused still about sleep apnoea,, I nought it was also to do with the exchange of gases during breathing and the build up of carbon dioxide whilst shallow breathing whilst asleep. My CPap machine seems to be looked on as an important bit of kit for my COPD by the consultant in the chest clinic. It certainly has changed my life and of course can make me feel better. I have even been advised to use it during the day if is m very short of breath
