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Why are Marfan syndrome patients especially at risk from sleep apnea?

Updated: 8/19/2019
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GaleEncyofMedicine

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12y ago

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In patients with Marfan, obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the unusual flexibility of the tissues lining the patient's airway. This disturbed breathing pattern increases the risk of aortic dissection.

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Q: Why are Marfan syndrome patients especially at risk from sleep apnea?
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What is the main health risk associated with Pickwickian Syndrome?

The major health problem that occurs in patients with this disease is sleep apnea.


Who typically develops central sleep apnea syndrome?

This disorder is primarily found in elderly patients with heart or neurological conditions that affect their ability to breathe properly


What is Cheyne-Stokes syndrome?

its a sleep apnea where one can be obstrucitive sleep apnea and a complex of the two of the two can have this when even awake


Is tonsillectomy and sleep apnea connected?

Yes, a tonsillectomy is performed in sleep apnea when the tonsils are felt to be so large as to occlude breathing. This is usually done in young patients, especially children 3 to 10 years of age or so. Occasionally, tonsils are removed in older patients for sleep apnea, but usually in combination with other surgeries, if surgery is recommended at all. Most adults are treated with a CPAP machine first, and surgery is only done if that does not work or is not tolerated.


Who typically develops obstructive sleep apnea syndrome?

It is found primarily in obese people.


What is central sleep apnea syndrome?

form of breathing-related sleep disorder. This disorder is primarily found in elderly patients with heart or neurological conditions that affect their ability to breathe properly. is not associated with airway blockage.may be related to brain disease


What are the symptoms of marfan syndrome?

Marfan syndrome affects different people in different ways. Some people have only mild symptoms, while others are more severely affected. In most cases, the symptoms progress as the person ages. The body systems most often affected by Marfan syndrome are:Skeleton--People with Marfan syndrome are typically very tall, slender, and loose jointed. Since Marfan syndrome affects the long bones of the skeleton, arms, legs, fingers, and toes may be disproportionately long in relation to the rest of the body. A person with Marfan syndrome often has a long, narrow face, and the roof of the mouth may be arched, causing the teeth to be crowded. Other skeletal abnormalities include a sternum (breastbone) that is either protruding or indented, curvature of the spine (scoliosis), and flat feet.Eyes--More than half of all people with Marfan syndrome experience dislocation of one or both lenses of the eye. The lens may be slightly higher or lower than normal and may be shifted off to one side. The dislocation may be minimal, or it may be pronounced and obvious. Retinal detachment is a possible serious complication of this disorder. Many people with Marfan syndrome are also nearsighted (myopic), and some can develop early glaucoma (high pressure within the eye) or cataracts (the eye's lens loses its clearness).Heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular system)--Most people with Marfan syndrome have abnormalities associated with the heart and blood vessels. Because of faulty connective tissue, the wall of the aorta (the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body) may be weakened and stretch, a process called aortic dilatation. Aortic dilatation increases the risk that the aorta will tear (aortic dissection) or rupture, causing serious heart problems or sometimes sudden death. Sometimes, defects in heart valves can also cause problems. In some cases, certain valves may leak, creating a "heart murmur," which a doctor can hear with a stethoscope. Small leaks may not result in any symptoms, but larger ones may cause shortness of breath, fatigue, and palpitations (a very fast or irregular heart rate).Nervous system--The brain and spinal cord are surrounded by fluid contained by a membrane called the dura, which is composed of connective tissue. As people with Marfan syndrome get older, the dura often weakens and stretches, then begins to weigh on the vertebrae in the lower spine and wear away the bone surrounding the spinal cord. This is called dural ectasia. These changes may cause only mild discomfort or may lead to radiated pain in the abdomen or to pain, numbness, or weakness of the legs.Skin--Many people with Marfan syndrome develop stretch marks on their skin, even without any weight change. These stretch marks can occur at any age and pose no health risk. However, people with Marfan syndrome are also at increased risk for developing an abdominal or inguinal hernia where a bulge develops that contains part of the intestines.Lungs--Although connective tissue abnormalities make the tiny air sacs within the lungs less elastic, people with Marfan syndrome generally do not experience noticeable problems with their lungs. If, however, these tiny air sacs become stretched or swollen, the risk of lung collapse may increase. Rarely, people with Marfan syndrome may have sleep-related breathing disorders such as snoring or sleep apnea (a sleep disorder characterized by brief periods when breathing stops).


Can you have apnea while awake?

Yes its very common to expierence sleep apnea while awake. but consult a doctor to be on the safe side


What are the uses of continuous positive airway pressure?

Common uses of continuous positive airway pressure include sleep apnea, respiratory distress syndrome in infants, and adult respiratory distress syndrome.


Does REM occur in sleep panic patients?

REM sleep is our restorative sleep. We all need it to restore our bodies. Patients with Sleep Apnea often have a decrease in the amount of REM sleep they get but still go into REM as does everyone. You may not achieve REM every time you sleep especially when you are just taking a short nap. There may be nights that a Sleep apnea patient does not achieve REM but that does NOT mean they never have REM sleep. When someone who has Sleep Apnea achieves Rem stage the apnea events increase because the tension and mucsles relax causing the obstruction in the airway to get worse. In turn the body reacts to the lack of air by gasping, choking, moving until the obstruction releases long enough for the person to breathe again. This often brings the person out of REM stage and into a lighter stage of sleep or wake stage. Therefore REM is often reduced. Around 20% of our total sleep time a night in REM is consider normal. Most sleep apnea patients' Rem is considerably less than this.


Can retaining fifteen pounds of fluid cause sleep apnea?

yes it can especially if the fluid is related to CHF


Sleep Apnea and Restless Leg Syndrome?

Two sleep disorders that can wreak havoc on your quality of sleep are sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. With sleep apnea, you may actually stop breathing for a few seconds during times of deep sleep, so see your doctor if you suspect it. Restless leg syndrome is where you are unable to stop moving your legs during sleep, even when you are not fully aware of doing it. Increasing iron in your diet may help.