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Dialysis patients and sleep apnea
Name: judyh
Status: N/A
Age: N/A
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: Around 1993
Question:
I have read that dialysis patients are very susceptible to sleep
apnea. Why would they be especially at risk?
Replies:
I do not know the direct relationship between dialysis and sleep
apnea, but here are a few facts which might suggest why: Sleep apnea may be
triggered by abnormal proportions of blood gases. Dialysis may upset the
balance of blood gases and thus increase the likelihood of apnea. Dialysis
patients exhibit high risk of developing neurological disorders, such as
seizures, brain hemorrhage, and strokes. There is even a peculiar syndrome
called dialysis dementia, characterized by dementia, dyspraxia, facial
grimaces, and abnormal EEG. Some research suggests that these may be caused
by high brain aluminum concentrations, and the source of aluminum is
controversial. Another possible cause is that dialysis patients are usually
regularly given anticoagulant medication, which may disturb neural
circulation. In any case, dialysis seems to affect neural function, and one
symptom may be sleep apnea.
wizkid
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