Apnea Causes And Apnea Of Prematurity

Apnea causes and apnea of prematurity

        Sleep apnea is a respiratory disease characterized by the repeated breathing pauses, frequently during sleep. Number of apnea episodes are ranging from 5 to 50 per hour of sleep.

Apnea causes

       However, some people have a more closely throat area. When muscles in the top of the throat relax during sleep, the airway can close completely, which prevents air from reaching the lungs. During deep sleep, breathing can stop for a period of time (often more than 10 seconds.) This is called apnea.

       An episode of apnea is followed by a sudden attempt to breathe and a change to a lighter stage of sleep. The result is a fragmented or interrupted sleep is not restful. As a result, those with sleep apnea feel more sleepy or lethargic during the day. Older obese men seem to have a higher risk, although many people with obstructive sleep apnea are not obese. The following factors may be the possible apnea causes:

• Certain forms of the palate and jaw
• Tonsils and adenoids in children
• Neck-size
• Large tongue
• Narrow airway
• Nasal Obstruction
• Obesity

       Also, the consumption of alcohol or sedatives before sleep may predispose one to have an episode of apnea. Many risk factors involved in producing sleep apnea can be avoided, but not everybody can be controlled.

        Apnea causes that can not be changed:

• Age: ASO is more common after age 30 years
• Males: studies in sleep research showed apnea is 5 times more common in males
• Family history. Family history of sleep apnea increases the risk of developing the disease
• Breed black, Hispanic and Pacific Island populations are at risk of ASO. African Americans develop sleep apnea at lower age than whites
• Spine deformities. Scoliosis cause impaired respiratory dynamics and enhances the appearance of sleep apnea.
• Diseases that cause craniofacial abnormalities such as Marfan syndrome and Down syndrom. Recent studies have shown that sleep apnea is more common in postmenopausal women.

       Apnea causes that can be controlled:

• Obesity: Approximately 70% of patients who are obese have sleep apnea. Obesity is a major risk factor for apnea appearance
• Neck circumference greater than 43 cm to 40 cm for men and women
• Excess tissue in the nasal cavity, mouth or throat that can block or reduce airway circumference
• Skull bone abnormalities in the mouth, nose or throat
• Alcohol before bed increases the risk apnea
• Smoking: Nicotine is a muscle relaxant to keep open aerine paths as airway collapse occurs
• Sleeping on back

Apnea of prematurity

       Apnea is a term indicating the absence of breathing for 20 seconds. May occur in infants born at term, but is more common in premature babies. The more premature the baby, the greater the risk of apnea. When breathing slow, heart rate decreases.

What are the causes of apnea of prematurity?

       Apnea of prematurity may be due to an alteration in the respiratory control center of the brain, called central apnea. With obstructive apnea, breathing stops for blocking the airway. The respiratory control center may also be affected by problems in other organs. It is possible that apnea of prematurity has no identifiable cause other than immaturity of the central nervous system. However, there may be other causes. These include:

• Bleeding or tissue damage in the brain
• Respiratory disease
• Infections
• Gastrointestinal problems such as reflux (when stomach contents go back into the esophagus)
• Excessively low or high levels of chemicals into the body, such as glucose or calcium
• Heart or blood vessel problems
• Immature neurological system
• Stimulation of reflexes that can trigger apnea such as feeding tubes or suctioning, or bending over the baby's neck
• Temperature instability

Who is affected by apnea of prematurity?

       Most babies who develop apnea are premature. It seems to be more common during sleep, especially during active sleep - a period when the baby has rapid eye movement while sleeping. Nearly half of all premature babies have apnea of prematurity.

What are the symptoms of apnea of prematurity?

       Apnea of prematurity may be different from another breathing pattern that may occur in newborn premature and called periodic breathing (a pattern of short pauses followed by a burst of faster breaths.) While periodic breathing is a normal type of breathing in babies, apnea of prematurity can be a symptom of a more serious condition. The following are the most common symptoms of apnea of prematurity. However, each baby may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• Periods of absent breathing for 20 seconds
• Apnea of prematurity beginning in the first week of life

       The symptoms of more serious forms of apnea of prematurity may include:

• Longer periods of absent breathing
• Apnea that begins immediately after birth or after the second week
• Bluish
• Severe decrease in heart rate (bradycardia)

       The symptoms of apnea of prematurity may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.

How is apnea of prematurity diagnosed?

       It is important to determine whether the apnea is due primarily to prematurity or is caused by another problem. Your doctor will monitor the systems of your baby's body to discover the possible cause of the apnea. Diagnostic procedures may include:

• Physical exam
• Blood tests (checking for blood counts, electrolyte levels, and infections)
• Measure the levels of oxygen in the baby's blood
• X-rays (to verify the existence of problems in the lungs, heart and gastrointestinal system). A ray is a diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones and organs onto film.
• Apnea study - monitoring breathing effort, heart rate and oxygenation

Treatment for apnea of prematurity:

       If apnea occurs, you can help your baby begin breathing again by rubbing the skin or patting softly. However, it is necessary to identify and address problems that might be causing the apnea. Many premature babies will "outgrow" apnea of prematurity to reach 36 weeks of gestation. Specific treatment for apnea of prematurity will be determined by your baby's physician based on:

• The baby's gestational age, overall health and medical history
• The severity of the disorder
• Your baby's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• Expectations for the course of the condition
• Your opinion or preference

       Treatment for apnea of prematurity may include:

• Control of breathing and cardiac
• Medicines or caffeine or theophylline to stimulate the central nervous system