Patient/caregiver were instructed regarding findings to watch for and report in individuals with central sleep apnea as follows:
- Caregivers of individuals with history of sleep apnea should maintain a close watch on the frequency and duration of apneic spells during the sleep. Any abrupt increase in the frequency and/or duration of apneic spells should be reported to the physician for further follow-up.
- Individuals with mental health issues, such as, anxiety, depression, and psychosis with co-existing poorly controlled sleep apnea can present with worsening of mental health status, secondary to poor rest. Any worsening of symptoms of mental health conditions and altered behavior patterns in individuals with history should be reported to the physician for further follow-up on sleep apnea management.
- Sometimes the apneic spells could be for very brief period and go unnoticeable with the individual barely waking up from sleep. But frequent episodes of gasping for air with mouth open in individuals with sleep apnea can lead to other associated symptoms, such as, dryness of mouth & throat, with soreness & discomfort. Any gross increase in the dryness of mouth and discomfort in the throat should therefore be reported to the physician for further investigation.
- Lack of sleep and proper rest can be a stressful situation, leading to increased resistance to action of insulin, poor mobilization of glucose from the blood into the cells, and thus, increased blood glucose levels. Poorly managed blood sugar numbers in diabetic individuals with sleep apnea can be an indication of inadequate measures for management of the sleep disorder. Diabetic individuals with coexisting sleep apnea must keep a close watch on their blood sugar numbers and report to the physician regarding any consistent trend of poorly controlled blood sugars, for further investigation.
