Snoring and Sleep Apnea
People with obstructive sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly throughout the night. To resume breathing, the brain arouses the body from deep sleep several times an hour. This can cause serious complications, including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
Loud snoring is the most common sign of sleep apnea, but excessive drowsiness and daytime fatigue are also symptoms. Untreated sleep apnea spring tx can raise your risk for serious health problems, including depression and a decreased libido.
Causes
A loud snoring sound is often the first indication of a sleep problem. However, even if your snoring is not loud, it’s important to talk to your health care provider about sleep problems that leave you feeling tired and sleepy throughout the day. Untreated sleep apnea may result in poor performance at work or school, depression and decreased alertness that increases the risk of accidents while driving. It also has been linked to an increase in the risk of cancer and early death.
The sleep disorder is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep, which can last seconds to minutes and occur hundreds of times a night. This disrupts the flow of oxygen to the brain and body, causing an imbalance between carbon dioxide and oxygen. In obstructive sleep apnea, airflow is blocked by the collapse or blockage of the upper airway. In central sleep apnea, the brain does not send proper signals to initiate and control breathing.
Symptoms
Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by labored breathing or pauses in breath. It occurs when the airway collapses or narrows, restricting oxygen flow to the brain. The brain then wakes you up, typically without awareness, to restart breathing. This process can repeat itself many times per night resulting in poor quality sleep.
Loud, disruptive snoring and witnessed apneas during sleep are the most obvious signs of obstructive sleep apnea spring tx. The sleeper may also experience a dry mouth, a bad taste in the mouth or a headache upon awakening. These repeated episodes of interrupted sleep lead to severe daytime fatigue, irritability and problems concentrating. It can also increase the risk of work and traffic accidents.
Some medical conditions and medications can raise the risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea. Nasal congestion, allergies or sinus problems, obesity, having a large tonsil or enlarged adenoids, a history of stroke or heart disease and using narcotic pain medication can all increase the risk of developing this condition.
Diagnosis
Millions of people suffer from undiagnosed sleep disorders, and it’s vital that they seek treatment before it is too late. Getting an effective diagnosis can help people feel more alert and rested, and it may even improve their cognitive abilities.
In obstructive sleep apnea, soft tissues collapse and block the airway, cutting off oxygen. The brain wakes you up to breathe, but you don’t remember it, and the cycle continues hundreds of times a night. This deprives the body and mind of the rest it needs, and a number of symptoms can develop, including snoring, daytime sleepiness, memory problems, and headaches.
Fortunately, our office has access to home sleep tests that allow you to complete your testing in the comfort of your own home and have it read by a board-certified sleep physician. This is an efficient and effective way to get an accurate diagnosis of a sleep disorder. Then, we can offer you treatment options to help improve your health and quality of life.
Treatment
If you’re suffering from snoring or sleep apnea spring tx, it’s important to seek medical attention. This condition can cause serious health problems if left untreated. The repeated interruptions in your breathing can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and obesity.
A CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine is the traditional treatment for mild to moderate sleep apnea and snoring. It uses a mask that covers your face to provide a pneumonic splint and keep the airway open. However, a large number of patients find this device uncomfortable and inconvenient.
A more comfortable option is Fotona’s Nightlase laser sleep apnea therapy. This noninvasive procedure uses a gentle heat to tighten the tissues in your throat and mouth, which helps to keep your airway open. This can reduce snoring and prevent sleep apnea without the need for surgery. Better sleep quality also helps to regulate hormones that control appetite, which can aid in weight loss.
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