Dear Dr,
I am 30 year old working in a shop, and I fall asleep very easily while sitting in the shop.
After my marriage, I am having so many problems, like I get up in the night short of breath, choking and restless. My wife is very upset seeing my condition, more over she cannot sleep well because of my loud snoring. I am very much depressed. I feel no energy and causing problem in my sex life also. I am very much depressed…Is it curable, please reply.
Mr. SK> Tel 09563 67210 Email: sivkr_2005@yahoo.com
OSA and Depression
Obstructive sleep apnea is an illness characterized by snoring, partial or complete cessation of breathing during sleep, reductions in blood oxygen levels, severe sleep fragmentation, and excessive daytime sleepiness.
The potential consequences of obstructive sleep apnea are significant and include hypertension, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, pulmonary hypertension, congestive hear failure, stroke, neuropsychiatric problems, cognitive impairment, sexual dysfunction, and injury due to accidents.
Diagnosis is made on the basis of the clinical picture, patient and spouse reports, and an overnight polysomnogram done in the laboratory or even at home.
Researchers and clinicians have recognized sleep apnea as one of the most common sleep disorders and with perhaps the greatest medical and social impact on society in terms of morbidity and mortality.
A patient presenting with fatigue, depression, or problems in social relationships might have a primary problem of sleep apnea.
Unfortunately, many physicians, psychiatrists, and psychologists may be unaware of this connection which may lead to apparent symptoms of depression. If there is a possibility that a patient’s depression is caused by sleep apnea, they should undergo evaluation and, if necessary, receive treatment for their sleep disorder.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can play an important role in the treatment of sleep apnea. If symptoms of depression occur in a patient with known sleep apnea, appropriate treatment may require looking at both the treatment for sleep apnea and at the possibility of depression.
