People who have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) stop breathing repeatedly during sleep because the airway collapses.
Left untreated, sleep apnea and other forms of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) Untreated SDB can increase an elderly person's risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and stroke.
Sleep apnea is serious condition for elderly parents that requires medical treatment, usually for life.
The most common treatment is CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), pronounced "see-PAP."
Here are the symptoms of sleep apnea that family caregivers can look for in an elderly mother or father:
- Snores regularly
- Loud or disruptive snorning
- Gasping or choking during sleep
If your elderly parent has these symptoms, see a doctor who specializes in sleep disorders.
For more information, visit the Sleep Restfully website.