Sleep Study Results
Last night Steve went to St. Vincent’s Sleep Clinic for a Sleep Study to determine if he has sleep apnea. This breathing disorder is caused when the tongue relaxes during sleep, blocking the airway to the lungs. Steve was born with the palate structure for this type of disorder. When he reclines with his he
ad back, his tongue falls back into the throat opening blocking air flow. Since he had the stroke, the apnea has become more severe.
He was wired with about 25 different electrodes measuring heart rate, brain waves, rapid eye movement, respiration, leg movement, and muscle contractions. The sleep study indicated that Steve had 50 awakenings per hour. A normal sleep apnea sufferer has about 5 awakenings per hour. The stroke deeply affected his respiration. As a result, he never falls into the stage 4 sleep that brings rest to his body, and 
he’s tired all the time. We’re waiting for the doctor’s prescription for the CPAP sleep mask that will force oxygen into the airway when he’s sleeping.
Please pray that this will work, because he is really struggling for every breath and it puts him at risk for another stroke when his brain is deprived of oxygen.
Love, Kathy