Sleep Apnea Education
Sleep Apnea Education
Trouble sleeping? Worried you may have Sleep Apnea? Sleep Apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing continuously starts and stops throughout your sleep cycle.
Trouble sleeping? Worried you may have Sleep Apnea? Sleep Apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing continuously starts and stops throughout your sleep cycle.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder where the person experience disruptions of breathing during sleep. These pauses in breathing can last from seconds to minutes and may occur one hundred or more times. This condition can be life-threatening if left untreated, but CPAP therapy and lifestyle changes can greatly improve the quality of sleep and extend the life of the patient.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea: OSA or Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs when a person’s airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep. This is the most common type of sleep apnea. It can be caused by obesity, smoking, wider neck circumference, narrow airway, nasal congestion, and having OSA in one’s family history.
Central Sleep Apnea: CSA or Central Sleep Apnea occurs when a person’s brain doesn’t send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. This type can be caused by heart failure, stroke, certain pain medications, and brain injuries.
Complex Sleep Apnea: CompSAS or Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome is when someone has a combination of OSA and CSA.
Notice any of the following symptoms?*
- Gasping or choking while sleeping
- Headaches
- Loud snoring
- Feeling tired after a full night's sleep
- Waking up with a dry mouth
*If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, visit your healthcare provider to further discuss.
- Daytime sleepiness
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Irritability
- Having a hard time concentrating during the day