Q: I have read your column for a long time and appreciate your open mind regarding alternative treatments. A while ago but within a short period, I read two letters that have intrigued me, simply because both people had symptoms similar to mine. I’m speaking of a man who wrote about his need to get up five or six times per night to urinate and of a woman who had excessive daytime sleepiness and was prescribed B12 by her physician.
Well, I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and in educating myself about this condition, I learned that the excessive night time need to urinate can be caused by sleep apnea. And, the woman with daytime sleepiness could have been me. I thought that I, too, suffered from narcolepsy. After my testing at a sleep lab which was followed by a titration study, I am now the proud owner of a CPAP machine and mask. What a difference this makes in my life! I no longer arise several times each night to urinate and best of all, I feel rested when I arise. I’m no longer falling asleep any time I sit down! Based on my personal experiences, it sounds that these two people might benefit from sleep studies.
A: Sleep apnea is broken down into two forms. Obstructive sleep apnea or OSA is the more common type which is caused by a blockage of the airway when the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses during sleep. The second form is central sleep apnea or CSA that occurs when the brain fails to signal muscles to breathe because of respiratory instability. The condition can affect anyone at any age. Those at an increased risk of OSA include individuals with large tonsils, being over 40 years of age, carrying excess weight, having GERD (gastrointestinal reflux disease), having a nasal obstruction because of sinus issues, a deviated septum, and more. When left untreated, sleep apnea may cause headaches, heart failure, stroke, hypertension, and a number of other health issues.
Most individuals may not be aware they even suffer from sleep apnea. Those that do generally have a sleep partner who will witness the telltale signs that occur when the muscles relax, the airway narrows on inhalation, oxygen levels drop, the brain senses an inability to breathe, and the individual with the sleep apnea may experience gasping sounds that may be repeated countless times per hour every sleeping hour.
Symptoms of a B-12 deficiency may include weakness, fatigue, anemia, heart palpitations, a gait abnormality, sleep difficulties, problems with concentration, and a great deal more. It’s no wonder you felt you might be suffering from narcolepsy. You must have been very run down. A vitamin B12 deficiency is easy to diagnose and should be considered in the individuals who complain of weakness. However, kudos to the patient or physician who considers it as a cause of daytime sleepiness which is actually an unusual presentation of a B12 deficiency. Individuals at the top of the list for a risk of the deficiency include vegans.
The CPAP machine you are on is a positive airway pressure type of ventilation system used essentially for individuals with sleep apnea, COPD, CHF, and more. It provides air at a constant prescribed pressure that is delivered to the patient through a tube and a CPAP mask. It’s the constant airflow that keeps the airway open to allow for uninterrupted breathing during sleep, eliminates sleep apnea and allows the individual to get a good night’s sleep.
It’s encouraging to know that patients can sometimes fit the puzzle pieced together from my column, speak with their physician(s), and bring possible alternatives to the table for consideration in an attempt to maintain better health, so congratulations to you.
