Surgery is nobody’s idea of a good time. But it can be even more complex for people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Because sleep apnea impairs a person’s ability to breathe normally, anesthesiologists have to be particularly sensitive when administering general or local anesthesia, or pain medication to prevent greater risk. Anesthesia involves agents that suppress or depress breathing, creating a potentially dangerous situation if medical professionals involved in the surgical procedure are not adequately informed of the situation. If you have sleep apnea, it’s crucial to notify your doctor of this condition so that medical records can be updated right away.

Extra Preparations

After learning of a sleep apnea diagnosis, talk with your doctor in order to update your medical history, including any relevant information from family interviews regarding snoring or sleep apnea. A physical examination might be needed to document risk factors including a large neck circumference, or airway and palate abnormalities. If you haven’t been formally diagnosed with sleep apnea but suspect that it might be present, preventatively share these concerns with your medical team in case surgery needs to be delayed while sleep apnea factors are assessed.

CPAP Adjustments

If you already use a CPAP treatment to help you breathe while sleeping during the night, alert the medical team and anesthesiologist associated with your upcoming procedure. This way, they can ensure that nursing staff and other health support professionals are familiar with your CPAP requirements for post-surgery care. If you haven’t already begun CPAP therapies, your doctor might decide to postpone your treatment, if possible, in order to add this important treatment to your healthcare regimen prior to receiving anesthesia.

Anesthesia Decisions

Clearly, your anesthesiologist will make decisions about an anesthesia plan that takes your sleep apnea diagnosis into full consideration. For example, local rather than general anesthesia might be better in procedures involving arms and legs, and sedation might be minimized if possible. It’s very common for people to feel nervous or anxious before medical procedures. If you’re feeling worried about possible complications related to your sleep apnea and upcoming anesthesia procedure, let your doctor know. Talking through concerns and gathering more information might help set your mind at ease.

References

American Sleep Apnea Association, On the Cutting Edge

http://www.sleepapnea.org/treat/treatment-options/warning-to-anesthesiologists.html

American Sleep Apnea Association, Sleep Apnea and Same-day Surgery

http://www.sleepapnea.org/about-asaa/position-statements/sleep-apnea-and-same-day-surgery.html

Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation, Anesthesia Safety Always an Issue with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

http://www.apsf.org/newsletters/html/1997/summer/sleepapnea.html