What are the differences between sleep apnea and Insomnia? How do we treat us the two? How has the FDA halted the treatment of sleep apnea? Researchers have long wanted to know the answers to these questions and they have them. There are key differences between Insomnia and Sleep apnea. Along with appropriate pharmacologic treatments, Doctors have discovered plenty of ways to help with the disorders. The research is there and can teach one all about it if they so choose to find it. The research available has been very helpful in writing many essays on the topic of both disorders and many have found them very helpful in writing their own essays. First of all what is Sleep Apnea? Obstructive sleep apnea affects up to four percent of middle aged adults the common complaints that come with are snoring, daytime sleepiness and disrupted sleep {Victor LD, Am Fam Physician, 1999, Nov 15;60(8):2279-86.
National Stroke Foundation, 2005, www.stroke.org.} Apnea is the Greek word for without breath. Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing for at least 10 seconds while you are sleeping, many times throughout the night. Sleep apnea however does not cause many problems with you breathing throughout the day. The risk factors for sleep apnea are age usually between 40 and 60 is the highest risk. Ethnicity with African-American, Pacific Islanders and Hispanic being the highest risk. Smoking drinking and some medical conditions such as diabetes also put you at a higher risk {Victor LD, Am FAM Physician, 1999, Nov 15; 60(8):2279-86.}. The consequences of sleep apnea vary from increased risk of heart conditions, vehicle accidents, work related accidents and depression. {U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Consumer Updates, 2013}. The treatments for sleep apnea come in a huge variety depending on what the patient needs. With the most common being an assortment of behavioral measures such as losing weight, a reduction in alcohol intake and to stop taking medications that make you drowsy. The second most common is they C pap machine which stands for (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. This machine has a mask that covers the patient’s nose and mouth which keeps the airway open and provides more oxygen to the patient while sleeping. The final measure would be a dental device or surgery to prevent the obstruction of the air way there are currently no medications for obstructive sleep apnea. {U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Consumer Updates, 2013, www.fda.gov}. Insomnia is often confused with sleep apnea but they are two completely different diagnosis. It is one of the most common medical complaints. About 35 percent of the population reported having insomnia within the last year. Increasing prevalence with increasing age. It’s more common in females, unemployed, divorced, widowed, separated, lower socioeconomic status, and only 30% of patients with insomnia report the problem to their physician {UpToDate, Overview of Insomnia, 2013, www.uptodate.com}. Insomnia has two different durations. Short term which can last 2-3 days and could be a result of jet lag, work shift changes, acute illness or a major life event. Or long term which is considered 30 days or more which is normally a result of a major illnesses or medication. The diagnosis of Insomnia is you must have at least on of the following. Difficulty initiating sleep, staying asleep, or waking up to early. For it to be considered Insomnia you must also have daytime impairment from the no sleep {Schutte-Rodin S, J Clin Sleep Med, 2008 Oct 15; 4(5):487-504.}. Classification of daytime impairment. This would be considered fatigue or lethargy, problems paying attention, irritability, headaches, and many more. How much sleep is enough sleep? This depends on age starting with children who should get at least 10 hours starting at preschool, teenagers should get at least 8 hours for them to fully re charge and Adults bring in the rear with a need of 6 hours {U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Consumer Updates, 2013, www.fda.gov}. Now to discuss the differences between Sleep Apnea and Insomnia. Sleep apnea is cause by a physical obstruction. It is an awakening due to decreased oxygen intake and if given the opportunity to sleep without the obstruction they can get a full night’s sleep which insomnia patients cannot. Also it cannot be treated with medication like Insomnia can. Many medications that patients with insomnia take need to actually be avoided by people with sleep apnea. {UpToDate, Overview of Insomnia, 2013, www.uptodate.com}.

The consequences of inadequate sleep can be devastating to a person. It will decrease their quality of life from being tired all the time along with causing depression and anxiety sleep deprivation will affect your healthy by causing high blood pressure along with heart attacks and other heart conditions. This is usually caused by the medications taken by patients such as beta blockers, different asthma medications, antidepressants, decongestants, stimulants, and steroids. {UpToDate, Overview of Insomnia, 2013, www.uptodate.com} {Chawla J, Insomnia, 2013, emedicine.medscape.com}. I have seen firs hand accounts of both disorders. My wife suffers from Insomnia which has been diagnosed by her physician and the lack of sleep she gets from this has had serious effects on her personal and professional life and it sometimes pains me to have to watch her drag around. She often gets headaches and body aches just from the point of exhaustion and I hate to see her like but there is nothing I can do. She is on a sleeping aid prescription and the pills do help but a cure they are not. Also my daughter has sleep apnea and this affects her greatly as well she is only four years old and has to suffer through this terrible disorder with no help at all. I often find myself wishing it could be me. The research I have done myself has helped me deal with my daughter’s disorder and helped her sleep a little better at night. She is too young for any of the treatments and they could cause her more trouble than they would help so I have decided not to use any. She struggles daily and the seriousness of these two disorders only worsens by the day. Soldiers returning home from war struggle from insomnia as I also know being one of them how hard the struggle can be.

In conclusion let’s discuss the consequences of these two disorders are mostly the same even though the two disorders are so different. The research that is being done by doctors now is really making headway in finding cures and better ways to treat the two with medicinal and non-medicinal ways. Science has come along way with ways to manage and control the disorders and have a long way to go. The research stated here should help create a better understanding on those who suffer and what they go through and what is being done to help them. The research is not as important and maybe cancer or diabetic research but these are real disorders and effect a lot of people and should have the support or federally funded agencies like so many others to help with the cause.