What is considered mild sleep apnea?

What is considered mild sleep apnea?

“Mild sleep apnea is defined as someone having 5-15 breath-holding or shallow breaths per hour,” Seema Khosla, MD, FCCP, FAASM, and Medical Director at the North Dakota Center for Sleep, tells WebMD Connect to Care. “Mild only refers to this number—it doesn’t necessarily mean that someone has minimal symptoms.”

How do I know if my sleep apnea is severe?

You’re considered to have severe sleep apnea if your breathing stops and restarts more than 30 times an hour. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) measures obstructive sleep apnea to determine a range from mild to severe, based on the number of breathing pauses per hour you have while sleeping.

Does mild sleep apnea get worse?

If ignored, mild sleep apnea certainly could get worse. It’s important to know the contributing factors so that you and your doctor can develop a treatment plan. Getting older is a factor that is unavoidable; however, weight gain, heart health, and muscle tone of your upper airway are often manageable to some degree.

Does mild sleep apnea need a CPAP?

While all people with mild OSA may not need to be treated with CPAP, there are patients who can greatly benefit from it.

Should I worry about mild sleep apnea?

While mild sleep apnea might not be as disruptive as moderate or severe OSA, it can still affect your health and your quality of life. Sleep problems are always worth getting checked out because treatment can reduce the number of apneic events you experience and help you to get better, more refreshed sleep.

What stages of sleep apnea are there?

Stages of Sleep Apnea

• Mild apnea. Mild apnea is defined as 5 to 14 episodes of apnea or reduced airflow to the lungs every hour.
• Moderate apnea. Moderate apnea is defined as 15 to 29 episodes of apnea or reduced airflow to the lungs every hour.
• Severe apnea.

Is mild sleep apnea a disability?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) no longer has a disability listing for sleep apnea, but it does have listings for breathing disorders, heart problems, and mental deficits. If you meet the criteria of one of the listings due to your sleep apnea, you would automatically qualify for disability benefits.

How many events per hour is mild sleep apnea?

Scores for adults are divided into three categories, which correspond to different levels of OSA severity: Mild: An AHI of at least five events per hour, but fewer than 15. Moderate: An AHI of at least 15 events per hour, but fewer than 30. Severe: An AHI of at least 30 events per hour.

Can mild sleep apnea go away?

Can Sleep Apnea Go Away? For the most part, sleep apnea is a chronic condition that does not go away. Anatomy tends to remain fixed, especially after adolescence has ended. Therefore, children with sleep apnea may retain hope for the condition being successfully and definitively treated.

Can you still drive if you have sleep apnea?

Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS), i.e. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea with the symptom of excessive sleepiness: You must not drive until your excessive sleepiness symptom has been satisfactorily controlled.

How long does it take to see a difference after using CPAP machine?

The results will vary from person to person, and your experience may be different from anyone else. However, CPAP machines are known to be effective quite quickly. Some people feel better after the first night that they use them. Others find that they take a week or two to get used to using the CPAP therapy.

Can mild sleep apnea be reversed?

CPAP and oral appliances work well, but they’re not cures for sleep apnea. The only sure way to rid yourself of the condition for good is to either lose weight or have surgery to remove excess tissue from the palate or throat. Surgery can have side effects, which is why it’s usually viewed as a last resort.

What is the best treatment for mild sleep apnea?

For milder cases of obstructive sleep apnea, your doctor might recommend lifestyle changes:

• Lose weight if you’re overweight.
• Exercise regularly.
• Drink alcohol moderately, if at all.
• Quit smoking.
• Use a nasal decongestant or allergy medications.
• Don’t sleep on your back.