My husband, Greg, is currently facing an M.E.B. (Medical Evaluation Board) and possible discharge from the military. This has actually been in the works for years since his last deployment where he was injured in a combat zone (not combat related). He has been working with his doctors to stay in the military but it doesn't look like he'll be able to say in much longer. He has been put on medical profile after profile limiting his exercise regime and ability for deployment. When the last tasking came down he was in a predicament. The deployment would be on an Army base and would include Army training which would be more physically demanding than his knee could handle. Any change in his profile/limitations would flag an M.E.B. He only needs four more years to complete his 20 year retirement requirement!
They must do a full physical before the board can decide the outcome of his career. I have been asking him to look into his difficulty in sleeping for almost a year now. He had been fearful of bring it up to a doctor because he wants to finish out his 20 and had heard once you've been tested with sleep apnea it was an immediate discharge. Since all medical concerns need to be addressed he agreed to mention it. Don't get me started on how he'd be better off all around if he'd listen more to his wife!! Just one word...Appendicitis. We are just glad to have him alive and with us now.
I found some information on Sleep Apnea from the Stanford education site and have changed the font to red for my comments or what symptoms he has exhibited with me.
The most common kind of sleep apnea is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. Sleep apnea means "cessation of breath." It is characterized by repetitive episodes of upper airway obstruction that occur during sleep, usually associated with a reduction in blood oxygen saturation. (Greg tested at 58% oxygen saturation during sleep!) The upper airway can be obstructed by excess tissue in the airway, large tonsils, a large tongue and usually includes the airway muscles relaxing and collapsing when asleep. Another site of obstruction can be the nasal passages. Sometimes the structure of the jaw and airway can be a factor in sleep apnea.
What are the symptoms?
- excessive daytime sleepiness (Greg NEEDED his 8 hrs of sleep or had difficulty functioning during the day and if he had time off would always find some extra time to sleep.)
- frequent episodes of obstructed breathing during sleep. (The patient may be unaware of this symptom -- usually the bed partner is extremely aware of this). (I've never timed Greg's obstructed time myself but my mom said she counted 45 seconds one night when she was in town...not that they were bed partners).
- loud snoring
- morning headaches
- unrefreshing sleep
- a dry mouth upon awakening
- chest retraction during sleep in young children (chest pulls in)
- high blood pressure
- overweight
- irritability
- change in personality
- depression
- difficulty concentrating
- excessive perspiring during sleep
- heartburn
- reduced libido
- insomnia
- frequent nocturnal urination (nocturia)
- restless sleep (Greg does the running man in his sleep)
- nocturnal snorting, gasping, choking (may wake self up) (and everyone else!)
- rapid weight gain
- confusion upon awakening
It is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. The risks of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea include heart attacks, strokes, impotence, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure and heart disease. In addition, obstructive sleep apnea causes daytime sleepiness that can result in accidents, lost productivity and interpersonal relationship problems. The severity of the symptoms may be mild, moderate or severe. (Greg's Military Doctor mentioned in the 6 years she's been dealing with sleep apnea the highest score she's seen is 129, Greg's score was 144.)
How is Sleep Apnea treated?
Moderate to severe Sleep Apnea is usually treated with a C-PAP (continous positive airway pressure). C-PAP is a machine that blows air into your nose via a nose mask, keeping the airway open and unobstructed. For more severe apnea, there is a Bi-level (Bi-PAP) machine. The Bi-level machine is different in that it blows air at two different pressures. When a person inhales, the pressure is higher and in exhaling, the pressure is lower. Your sleep doctor will "prescribe" your pressure and a home healthcare company will set it up and provide training in its use and maintenance. (At Greg's first visit to discuss being tested for the sleep disorder his doctor explained that depending on the severity of the case one could still have sleep apnea and stay in the military. If the C-PAP machine was needed but could be weened off of, one could still remain in the military. It would mean an M.E.B. and discharge if the disorder was severe and a person needed to be on the breathing machine for life. Although she never said anything about the M.E.B., which is already pending, the doctor did say from the looks of it he would be on the breathing machine for the REST OF HIS LIFE.)
We are waiting to hear more. More posts pending results.
