Partial sleep apnea?

DEAR DR. GOTT: A person I work with says he has partial sleep apnea. He has never fainted in front of anyone; he just says he needs to sit down and sleep for 15 minutes to an hour. Can this be true? Other people have to pick up his slack.

DEAR READER: I have never heard of partial sleep apnea, but that does not mean that it isn't a legitimate diagnosis. However, I have some doubts about your co-worker's story.

Sleep apnea is a condition in which the sufferer experiences episodes of not breathing while sleeping. This can occur up to several hundreds of times a night and last for a minute or more each time. As a result, the individual may not wake rested and may experience extreme daytime sleepiness, which can lead to falling asleep at inappropriate times. Other symptoms include nightmares, waking gasping for breath, heart problems and more. Sleep apnea does not cause fainting, however.

A related condition, known as narcolepsy, can cause episodes of inappropriate sleep that can occur anywhere, anytime and may resemble fainting because of a loss of muscle control. This complex condition causes severe daytime sleepiness, hallucinations, sudden loss of muscle tone (also known as cataplexy) and sleep paralysis. Sufferers may also have sleep apnea, restless-legs syndrome and even insomnia.

Unless your co-worker is willing to share his medical records, there is no way you will be able to determine whether he is being truthful about his condition or whether he is simply trying to get out of working. If he is indeed being truthful, he likely had to provide his superior with a medical note from a physician, because the condition would necessitate special work considerations.

Bring your concerns to your boss. Be sure that he or she is aware of the situation. If the boss doesn't know, it will then be up to him or her to confront the employee and determine whether the situation is valid.

To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Sleep/Wake Disorders." Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com.

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have an unusual problem. When I got my last hair cut two months ago, the stylist accidentally got dozens and dozens of fine hairs in my eyes. I have dry, sensitive eyes, and this certainly didn't help.

I have been to the emergency room and to my eye specialist, but neither can find anything wrong. I am in sheer agony every day and don't know what else to do. I even bought an eye-rinse kit that didn't provide any relief at all. I get about a dozen hairs from each eye every day, and some are still left. Can you please help me?

DEAR READER: I am not sure how I can help if after examination, there doesn't seem to be a problem. I am baffled as to how the physicians could not find a problem when you can clearly see the hairs.

Because you do not say what type of eye specialist you saw, I suggest that you visit an ophthalmologist, who can use specialized equipment to view your eyes. If you have already done this, perhaps a second opinion from another is in order. In the meantime, avoid rubbing your eyes and use over-the-counter moisturizing eyedrops or artificial tears.

Dr. Peter H. Gott is a retired physician and the author of several books, including "Live Longer, Live Better," "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet" and "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook," which are available at most bookstores or online. His website is www.AskDrGottMD.com. Copyright 2010, United Feature Syndicate Inc.