Resumen

GARCIA REYES, Xiomara; DAMIANI CAVERO, Sonia  y  DE LA OSA PALACIOS, Jorge Luis. Síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño: Conocimientos importantes para todo profesional de la salud. Rev Cubana Med Gen Integr [online]. 1999, vol.15, n.5, pp.562-569. ISSN 0864-2125.

The obstructive sleep apnea syndrome was described almost 3 decades ago, but on increasing interest has recently arisen that led us to review its present state as regards epidemiology, physiopathogy, diagnosis and treatment. The hypersomnolence presented by patients with this syndrome caused traffic and working accidents with a considerable cost for society. It also produces cardiovascular complications and its prevalence of 2.4 % should be considered. The fundamental mechanism causing the disorder is the failure of the tonic dilatation of the pharyngeal muscles during sleep, although there are other contributing factors. The physical characteristics and the day night symptomatology are described, allowing to have a presumptive diagnosis. The results of the polysomnography are also explained and make possible to have the definitive diagnosis. The 3 types of treatment used are shown.

Palabras clave : SLEEP APNEA SYNDROMES; KNOWLEDGE [ATTITUDES, PRACTICE].

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