Obtaining a thorough sleep history and routinely screening for obstructive sleep apnea.
OBJECTIVE
To present a clinical case study of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and discuss a potential correlation between OSA, unexplained distal pain symptoms, and pyschoemotional concerns.


METHODS
A review of the scientific literature was performed on OSA using the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature and MEDLINE.


CONCLUSIONS
OSA is potentially life threatening and can have serious consequences to a patient's health. Many of the obvious signs of OSA occur at night, and the symptoms of OSA may correspond to a variety of other diseases. Clinicians should recognize a possible correlation between OSA and unexplained distal pain symptoms as well as psychoemotional concerns. These clinically associated conditions may be less apparent but may dramatically affect quality of life. By improving recognition and treatment of OSA, morbidity and mortality can be reduced and quality of life can be improved for patients and their families.


CONCLUSIONS
It is imperative that clinicians are attentive and take detailed histories to recognize the clinical signs and symptoms of OSA, paying more attention to the less obvious symptomatology that may be significantly impacting quality of life.
Lamm
Jamie
J
Eau Claire Women's Care, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA. jamie.lamm@yahoo.com
Poeschel
Jane
J
Smith
Sheila
S
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000379:methods*; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D017286:Polysomnography; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology