SCENARIO
A young 33-year-old man is admitted to your unit with a chief complaint of “tiredness and morning headaches” even after sleeping. How you would perform a comprehensive analysis of symptoms? What are the possible causes of the symptoms? What examinations would be crucial to determine the cause of his problems? Why
CLASSMATE RESPOND
I would first introduce myself, assuring for privacy and comfort. After taking a detailed health history and acknowledging the complaints of tiredness and morning headaches, I would assess for the following symptoms: loud snoring, being awaken from sleep by gasping or choking, dry mouth or sore throat after waking, asking if anyone has told the patient of having episodes of not breathing while asleep, having mood changes and high blood pressure.
Assessments include height and weight, checking BMI for overweight. Blood pressure would be assessed.
One possible cause could be sleep apnea. One examination to determine if it is sleep apnea would be the overnight pulse oximetry. If this comes back positive, the next step would be a polysomnography, which is an overnight sleep study where you are hooked up to certain monitors that tract your heart, brain, lungs, oxygen levels and arm and leg movements.
You may be referred to an ENT doctor to rule out any blockage to your throat or nose.
If positive for sleep apnea, some changes should be started: lose weight, exercise and monitor alcohol intake. You may also be recommended to wear a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure)
Obstructive sleep apnea. (2018, March 06). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obstructive-sleep-apnea/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352095
