The best way to get a definitive diagnosis is by undergoing an overnight sleep study, but that can be a difficult prospect for the bedridden, elderly or person affected with a disease like Alzheimer's. If this is the case, Dr Park advises, "One simple way of screening for sleep apnea is to use a continuous oxygen monitor on the person at night while he or she is sleeping. A simple finger probe device that measures blood oxygen levels is worn on one digit while sleeping. If the person's oxygen level keeps dropping repeatedly at night along with breathing pauses, then a more formal sleep study may be warranted."
Many doctors never consider the possibility of OSA in patients who are neither overweight nor heavy snorers, but the fact is some people who suffer from the problem are neither. And because sleep apnea can certainly aggravate underlying health conditions, it is important to have your love one evaluated if you suspect a problem. Dr Park believes that, "If you suspect that your loved one has obstructive sleep apnea, even if your doctor dismisses it, be persistent, or ask for a second opinion. Treatment is available. The best current treatment may include using a CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure machine. This small machine is used to deliver a small amount of positive pressure to keep the airways open while the person is sleeping. For certain people a mandibular advancement device may be another option, and surgery is always possible as a last resort."
Snoring is no laughing matter if you stop to consider how a lack of restful sleep can contribute to other more serious health issues as well as daytime fatigue, reduced pain tolerance and in some cases dementia-like symptoms. As a caregiver you are the best person to advocate for your loved one and to ensure that they receive the medical attention and treatment needed if they suffer from OSA or other sleep-breathing problems.
Angela Butera Dickson is a Registered Nurse and freelance medical writer living in Rhode Island. She has been published over 800 times and has 25 years of practical nursing experience in hospice, acute & long term care, psyche nursing, and home care.