Speech Preparation Worksheet                                                                                                                                         James Miller

Topic: Sleep Apnea             Type of Speech:   Informative          Length:  3 – 5 mins

General Purpose:

Impart a general understanding and definition of sleep apnea, the signs and symptoms associated with the condition, and how sleep apnea affects the human body.

Specific Purpose:                (Why I’m speaking to this audience about this topic.)

The topic of Sleep apnea was chosen for the nursing students in attendance. Very little time is often dedicated to sleep apnea in the nursing course of study, but many nurses find they deal with these patients on a daily basis. As well, I want to convey to the general public the effects of sleep apnea on the human body due to sleep depravation. I hope to leave all with at least a basic knowledge of some of the health hazards that can be associated with sleep apnea, especially if untreated. Thus fostering curiosity and encouraging the further exploration of the disease and it treatments.

Introduction

(head down on the podium snoring) Z z z z z z…

“Is it snoring or is it Sleep Apnea?”

Often very little time is dedicated to the understanding of Sleep Apnea in the nursing course of study, but then many nurses find they deal with sleep apnea patients on a daily basis once they enter the work force. My desire today is to convey to the nursing students and to all of you, some of the signs a symptoms of…, the definition of…, and the effects of… sleep apnea on the human body.

My name is James Miller; I am a Registered Respiratory Therapist with Valley Home Care a part of Valley Health System, and Winchester Medical Center. I am a practicing Respiratory Care Practitioner with fifteen years of clinical experience primarily focused on home care and home sleep therapy.

Why is it important to know about sleep apnea. A recent report by the American Sleep Apnea Association, estimated that nearly 10 million Americans have undiagnosed sleep apnea, and if undiagnosed it goes untreated. While I can’t go into great detail, I will include some of the health hazards associated with untreated sleep apnea in and effort to encourage your further exploration of the disease and it treatment options.

So we have three questions we need to answer. One, what are the signs and symptoms sleep apnea? Two, what causes sleep apnea and how does it affect the human body? And three, how is sleep apnea treated?

So Let’s begin…

Body

1. What are the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea?

a.       I asked the question in the beginning, but I’ll ask it again here. “Is it snoring or is it Sleep Apnea?” While they have similar symptoms only testing can reveal the difference. Not everyone that snores has sleep apnea and not everyone that has sleep apnea snores.

b.       Nighttime symptoms can be frequent leg and arms movements accompanied by audible pauses in breathing followed by gasping, snorting, or SNORING. Other symptoms may include waking routinely with a dry mouth, sore throat, and morning headaches. One can also exhibit excessive daytime sleepiness, poor ability to concentrate, decreased motor skills, heartburn, depression, and noticeable memory loss.

2.             What is "sleep apnea" and how does it affect the human body?

a.       Sleep Apnea is a condition in which a person’s breathing stops and starts many time during sleep. Apnea is a greek word meaning literally “without breath” and develops when the muscles that usually work to hold open the airway relax during sleep and allow the breathing passage to collapse. Breathing is restored when oxygen levels in the body become too low and this trigger the person to wake briefly and take a gasping breath, which sounds like a loud snort. These interruptions in breathing last at least 10 seconds and sometimes as long as two minutes, disturbing the four stages of sleep necessary to rejuvenate the body and mind.

b.       Sleep Apnea not only prevents you from getting a good night’s sleep, but can also have and impact on your overall health. There is evidence linking Sleep Apnea to things like high blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms not mention falling asleep at work or behind the wheel.

3.             How is sleep apnea treated?

a.       People with relatively mild Sleep Apnea often find relief through weight loss and regular exercise. Smoking cessation helps as well as avoiding alcohol and taking sedatives in the hours before going to sleep. If lifestyle changes are ineffective the most common treatment for sleep apnea is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure better know as CPAP.

b.       CPAP is where a machine at the bedside delivers air continuously through a mask placed over the nose or over the nose and mouth. This creates a low level of pressure in the upper airway that holds the relaxed muscles in place, thus maintaining an open passage for breathing. As a result, CPAP treats sleep apnea by making inhalation & exhalation easier and promotes a more restorative sleep pattern.

Conclusion:

Sleep Apnea in a nutshell. While someone with apnea sleeps their upper airway closes causing total airway blockage and breathing stops momentarily. The human body attempts to reopen the airway causing nighttime sleep disturbances. If happening often enough, these repetitive disruptions lead to sleep deprivation and symptoms like high blood pressure, memory loss, depression, or excessive daytime sleepiness.

So, the key thing to remember is this. Reduce your risks of having sleep apnea by maintaining your weight, exercising, limiting or quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol or relaxants during the hours before bedtime. If you think you or someone you know may have Sleep Apnea consult a doctor about sleep apnea testing and if diagnosed seek treatment. And with this I will close.

 Anthony Burgess, a well know British composer & novelist once said,

“Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone.”

Thank you so very` much for your time and attention.