 Written by Alexis Sekula, BSN, RN, TAMUCC FNP-Student (Graduation May 2024)
Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep-related breathing disorders (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2022). This disorder causes repeated lapses in breathing as a result of a blockage in your airway (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). Sleep apnea affects about 3 % of people of normal body weight and over 20% of obese people (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2022). Why does this matter? The blockage of the airway results in decreased oxygen levels and the build of carbon dioxide levels which triggers a survival reflex that wakes you up to correct the obstruction (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). Sleep apnea does not only impact sleep quality but, uncorrected sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems such as increased cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, and metabolic disease (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). What happens to the body? Blockage of the airways leads to carbon dioxide retention in the bloodstream. This causes a problem as this will decrease the body’s ability to exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen. What are the symptoms of sleep apnea? #1 symptom is snoring or pauses in breathing while asleep. Other symptoms include daytime sleepiness, mood changes, disruption in brain function, insomnia, night sweats and feeling restless at night, sexual dysfunction, waking up feeling short of breath, headaches - especially when waking up (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2022). How do I know if I have sleep apnea? Your PCP can perform a physical evaluation and order a sleep study. Treatment for sleep apnea should be coordinated with your primary care provider. The most common treatment is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Studies have shown that regular use of CPAP reduces blood pressure, lowers the risk of stroke, heart attack, and blood glucose, and improves daytime sleepiness (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2022). References Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Sleep apnea: What it is, causes, symptoms & treatment. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8718-sleep-apnea Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2022, November 1). The dangers of uncontrolled sleep apnea. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-dangers-of-uncontrolled-sleep-apnea National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2022, March). What is sleep apnea? NHLBI, NIH. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-apnea National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2022, March). Sleep apnea-symptoms? NHLBI, NIH. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-apnea/symptoms
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 More than 14,000 women in the U.S are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer each year.
Starting at age 21, every person with a cervix should have a Pap smear, and then at age 30 co-tested with a pap and HPV test. HPV (human papillomavirus) is directly liked to cervical cancer and most sexually active people will be exposed to it at some point in their lives. This infection is usually harmless and the body is able to destroy it most of the time, but some types or strains of this virus can lead to cancer if untreated. The HPV vaccine can protect you from cervical cancer. Vaccines are recommended starting at age 11 all they way to 45. https://www.nccc-online.org//wp-content/uploads/2019/01/January_2019_printable.pdf https://www.nccc-online.org/cervical-health-awareness-month/ https://www.nccc-online.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/HPV-Vaccine.pdf  January is blood donor awareness month! Did you know…
Where you can donate: South Texas Blood & Tissue - Shavano Donor Center 4079 N Loop 1604 W #102, San Antonio, TX 78257 South Texas Blood & Tissue - Northeast Donor Center 8500 Village Dr #102, San Antonio, TX 78217 https://www.rrvbc.org/faq-items/30-fascinating-blood-facts/ https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/how-blood-donations-help/blood-needs-blood-supply.html https://americasblood.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Whitepaper-National-Stats_5.22.pdf |
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