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Hello Doctor My Mother Is 71 Years Old. She Has
Question: Hello doctor
My mother is 71 years old. She has the problem of gasping for breath during sleep. As soon as she falls asleep she will wake up gasping for breath . She also complaints of rapid heartbeat during this .due to this she doesn't get proper sleep. She is also taking treatment for ailments like arthirits, osteoporosis, hypothyroidism, cholesterol. Can u please tell what the problem is and what is the treatment
My mother is 71 years old. She has the problem of gasping for breath during sleep. As soon as she falls asleep she will wake up gasping for breath . She also complaints of rapid heartbeat during this .due to this she doesn't get proper sleep. She is also taking treatment for ailments like arthirits, osteoporosis, hypothyroidism, cholesterol. Can u please tell what the problem is and what is the treatment
Brief Answer:
The possibility of OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) is more likely.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on 'Ask A Doctor' forum.
I can understand your concern.
By your history and description, the possibility of OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) is more likely in your mother's case.
Please let me know:
1. Her height and weight?
2. Was a sleep study done in the past or not?
So better to consult a Pulmonologist and get done the clinical examination and detailed sleep study.
If sleep study confirms OSA then she will need BiPAP (Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure) machine at night for the treatment.
Don't worry, she would be alright with all these.
I will be happy to help you further. Wishing your mother good health.
Thanks
The possibility of OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) is more likely.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on 'Ask A Doctor' forum.
I can understand your concern.
By your history and description, the possibility of OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) is more likely in your mother's case.
Please let me know:
1. Her height and weight?
2. Was a sleep study done in the past or not?
So better to consult a Pulmonologist and get done the clinical examination and detailed sleep study.
If sleep study confirms OSA then she will need BiPAP (Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure) machine at night for the treatment.
Don't worry, she would be alright with all these.
I will be happy to help you further. Wishing your mother good health.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Height is less than 5 ft and weight is 50 kgs. She is not overweight as such. Is machine the only cure? Cant it be treated for permanent cure
Brief Answer:
First get done sleep study for the diagnosis of sleep apnea.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
Better to first get done sleep study and confirm whether she is having sleep apnea or not.
Also get done ENT evaluation to rule out any obstructive cause for sleep apnea.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your mother. Thanks.
First get done sleep study for the diagnosis of sleep apnea.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
Better to first get done sleep study and confirm whether she is having sleep apnea or not.
Also get done ENT evaluation to rule out any obstructive cause for sleep apnea.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your mother. Thanks.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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