SLEEP APNEA

Ask the Following Questions:

1. Is there excessive snoring? Excessive snoring would indicate obstructive sleep apnea from large tonsils, deviated nasal septum, cleft palate, other abnormalities, and obesity.
2. Is there obesity? More than 60% of patients with sleep apnea have obesity, and pickwickian syndrome should be considered in these patients, as well as idiopathic obesity.
3. Are there abnormalities of the neurologic examination? The presence of neurologic abnormalities should make one think of poliomyelitis, Shy-Drager syndrome, brain stem tumors, and other neurologic disorders.

DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP

The most important diagnostic test is an all-night polygraphic recording (polysomnography). This will differentiate between obstructive and nonobstructive sleep apnea. If obstructive sleep apnea is suspected, a referral should be made to an ear, nose, and throat specialist. If there are abnormalities on the neurologic examination, a neurologic consultation should be sought. If idiopathic nonobstructive sleep apnea is suspected, the patient should be referred to a pulmonologist. A therapeutic trial of continuous positive airway pressure may be done. Some cases should have evaluation for a pituitary tumor, a thyroid profile, and a trial of tricyclic drugs and progesterone.

Book Source Details

• Book Title: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs
• Author(s): R. Douglas Collins
• Year of Publication: 2003
• Copyright Details: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs, Copyright © 2003 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Other Book Chapters Related to Sleep symptoms

Read excerpts from these other book chapters related to Sleep symptoms:

Copyright Details: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs, Copyright © 2008 Williams & Wilkins.

More About Causes of Sleep symptoms

• Back to symptom: Sleep symptoms: Introduction (review 1391 causes)
• Next Book Extract About Sleep symptoms: Insomnia (In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
• All Book Extracts: All Online Book Extracts for Sleep symptoms

More About This Book: Title: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs Authors: R. Douglas Collins Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Copyright: 2003 ISBN: 0-7817-3805-9

 » Next page: Insomnia (In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)

Rate This Website

What do you think about the features of this website? Take our user survey and have your say:

Website User Survey

Medical Tools & Articles:

Next articles:

• Insomnia (In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
• INSOMNIA (Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
• SLEEP APNEA (Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
• Insomnia (Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
• Insomnia (Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))

Tools & Services:

• Bookmark this page
• Take a survey relating to Sleep symptoms
• Symptom Search
• Symptom Checker
• Medical Dictionary
• Give your feedback

Medical Articles:

• Disease & Treatments Search
• Misdiagnosis Center
• Full list of interesting articles

Forums & Message Boards

• Ask or answer a question at the Boards:
• I cannot get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for my condition?
• See all the Boards.

Enter your search terms Submit search form
Search The Web Search wrongdiagnosis.com