What is an apnea monitor? An apnea monitor, also called a cardiorespiratory monitor, is a device that measures how well you breathe. It checks for apnea, a period when you stop breathing for 5 to 20 seconds while you sleep. The device also measures air flow, chest movements, heart rate, and oxygen in your blood. You or your baby may need to use an apnea monitor to let caregivers check for breathing problems. The apnea monitor will be turned on for a certain amount of time, usually while you sleep. Caregivers read the information collected by the device to learn about and plan treatment. Apnea monitors can help prevent brain, heart, and lung problems that can occur from not getting enough oxygen. An apnea monitor can help comfort parents who are worried about their baby's health. Using an apnea monitor may help find a health condition before it becomes serious.
What does an apnea monitor look like? An apnea monitor often looks like a box with knobs, wires, TV-like screens, and a power cord. Some apnea monitors are small and light enough to be carried easily from place to place. Commonly, electrodes are placed on each side of your chest. They may stick to your skin, or be held on with a lightweight belt. There may also be other attachments that measure air flow through the nose or mouth. The electrodes have wires coming from them which are attached to the device.
When may an apnea monitor be used? You may need an apnea monitor if you have any of the following:
Lung infections and long-term lung problems: Pneumonia and other medical conditions can cause apnea.
Sleep apnea: This is a condition where you stop breathing one or more times while you sleep. You may stop breathing for 5 to 20 seconds, and wake up several times to catch your breath. This will make you very tired when you wake up the next day. Over time, having sleep apnea also increases your risk of having brain and heart problems. The following are the different types of apnea:
Central apnea: Your brain controls muscles in your chest and stomach to make you breathe. If you have central apnea, problems in your brain make you stop breathing. Your muscles for breathing will not move, and air will not flow to your lungs.
Obstructive sleep apnea: This is also known as OSA. Tissues in your mouth or throat may relax and block your throat when you sleep. This decreases or completely blocks the air flowing through your throat. This may cause you to snore very loudly. OSA usually happens if you have a large tongue or tonsils, or have a small jaw. This can also happen when you have lots of fat around your neck.
Mixed apnea: Your apnea is caused by tissues blocking your throat, and brain problems that change your breathing.
When may a baby need to use an apnea monitor? Your baby may need to use an apnea monitor if he has any of the following:
Apparent life-threatening event or apnea of prematurity: An apparent life-threatening event (ALTE) is when your baby chokes, gags, turns blue or red, and stops breathing. He may stop breathing for more than 20 seconds. Babies with apnea of prematurity (AOP) were born early (before 37 weeks of pregnancy). They have apnea because their lungs have not finished growing, and cannot work as well as they should. Apnea monitors will help caregivers see if ALTE or AOP is continuing or getting worse. This will help caregivers find which treatment is best.
Brain problems: Your baby's brain controls breathing muscles in his stomach to let air in and out of his lungs. Problems in the brain can disturb how he breathes, and cause episodes of apnea.
Lung infections and other lung conditions: Pneumonia and bronchopulmonary dysplasia increase your baby's risk of having apnea.
Sudden infant death syndrome: Sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, is a condition where babies one year old or younger suddenly die. Caregivers are still not sure what causes SIDS. Using apnea monitors helps caregivers find out if your baby has apnea or other serious breathing problems. Apnea monitors cannot prevent SIDS, but a monitor can warn caregivers about serious breathing problems that can cause death.
Tracheostomy: A tracheostomy is a hole created in the neck to help your baby breathe more easily. Babies who have a tracheostomy or abnormally shaped airways have an increased risk of choking or having apnea.
What does an apnea monitor measure? Depending on the type of apnea monitor, the device can measure one or more of the following:
Air flow: This shows how much air flows from your nose or mouth to your lungs.
Apnea: This shows how many times you had apnea, and how long you stopped breathing each time.
Breathing pattern: This shows if you breathe evenly and regularly.
Breathing rate: This shows how many times you breathe in one minute.
Chest movement: This shows how often your chest rises and falls.
Electrocardiogram: This measures the electrical activity in your heart. These electrical activities control how your heart beats. This can also show how many times your heart beats in one minute.
Oxygen level: This shows how much oxygen is in your blood.
What are some features of apnea monitors?
Battery back-up: Most apnea monitors can be plugged in, or powered by a battery. The apnea monitor may have a battery backup. If the power goes out, the battery will give power to the device to help it keep working.
Environmental seal: This special covering protects the device from cold, heat, wetness, and insects.
Memory recorder: This is also called the event recorder. This feature keeps a record of the times you have had apnea, or the times when your oxygen blood level has gone too low.
Modem: This lets you send information from the apnea monitor to your caregiver using a telephone line.
Monitoring: An apnea monitor will alert you when it is not working right. It may show a blinking light, or make a sound. The monitor will sound an alarm if it finds certain problems with the person who is using it.
What do the lights, sounds, and symbols on an apnea monitor mean? The apnea monitor may show lights or make sounds if something is wrong with the person being monitored. It will also sound alarms if something is wrong with the device itself, such as when it has no power. Your caregiver will tell you what the numbers, letters, lights, and sounds mean. Alarms may go off because of the following:
Problems with the person:
Low oxygen levels in your blood.
Shallow breathing.
Very slow or very fast heartbeat.
You have stopped breathing for 5 seconds or longer.
Problems with the device:
Little or no power left in the battery.
There is no electricity coming from the power outlet.
Wires attached to the person loosen or fall off.
What should I do if I am with someone who is using an apnea monitor, and an alarm sounds? If you hear an alarm, stay calm and do the following:
Look at the person who is using the monitor: Check for any of the following:
The skin color of his face has changed to red or blue.
The person's eyes are staring.
The person has a stiff posture.
The person's chest is not moving.
If the person looks like he is asleep, try to wake him:
Wake an adult by shaking his shoulders firmly and speaking loudly to him.
Wake a baby or child by rubbing his back, or flicking the soles of his feet. Do not pick up and shake a baby. Shaking the baby may cause more injury, or even death.
Call for help:
Call 911.
If the person, baby, or child still does not cry, move, or wake up, yell loudly for help.
Start doing CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), if you know how. CPR is a life saving procedure for a person whose heart or breathing has stopped. During CPR, you will push down on the person's chest to help his heart pump blood. You will also blow into his mouth to give him some air. You will give compressions and do rescue breathing in an even and regular pattern. Ask your caregiver for more information about how to give CPR.
How long will an apnea monitor be used? You may need to use an apnea monitor until your health becomes better. You may need to keep using it if you keep having apnea or other breathing problems. Babies may need to use apnea monitors until their lungs work as they should. Caregivers may suggest that an apnea monitor be used until your baby is about eleven months old.
Who can help me if I have questions about the apnea monitor? Caregivers will teach you how to use an apnea monitor correctly, including what to do when the alarms go off. Caregivers may visit you in your home to check the device and the person using it. They will also answer any questions you may have. Your caregiver will tell you when to come back for a follow-up visit. You may need to see your caregiver for regular visits after you leave the hospital with the apnea monitor.
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
