There are multiple forms of sleep apnea. Sleep disordered breathing includes obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA) and mixed or complex sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type, affecting adults and children. When an individual goes to sleep, the upper airway muscles relax, allowing the palate and the tongue to fall down and block the airway. In most people, this tissue only falls a little and is a normal process without serious consequences.
However, obstructive sleep apnea causes the air passage to become completely blocked. When the brain detects the blocked airway, it wakes the rest of the body in order to restart respiration. After a few seconds, the heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels have often normalized, allowing the person to fall back to sleep. Apneas can occur many hundreds of times during the night causing disrupted sleep to patterns and putting stress on the cardiovascular system. Long-term sleep apnea effects include a higher risk for neurological problems, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and depression.
What Are the Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea?
- Snoring
- Periods of interrupted breathing while asleep
- Suddenly waking up or startling awake
- Headaches in the morning
- Dry mouth and sore throat
- Daytime sleepiness and lack of energy
- Difficulty paying attention
- Memory problems
- Mood changes
Do you have sleep apnea? Take the quiz.
How Common is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a growing health problem which effects more than a quarter of adults in America. Diagnostic accuracy has increased which helps clinicians to clearly and quickly identify symptoms of the sleep disorder. Plus, doctors and patients are more aware of the risk factors associated with the disorder and seeking treatment solutions for sleep apnea.
The number of people who struggle with this sleep disorder has increased in recent years due to a rise in other health conditions.
Sleep Apnea Causes & Contributing Factors
- Excessive weight
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Allergies
- Deviated septum
- Thick neck
- Hypothyroidism
- Use of sedatives or sleeping pills
Sleep Apnea Diagnosis
Overnight sleep studies are the only reliable method for correctly diagnosing sleep apnea. Sleep Health Solutions provides a comfortable environment for clinical testing. We also work with physicians to provide equipment and support for those who prefer to carry out testing at home.
Where Does Diagnostic Testing for Sleep Apnea Take Place?
For sleep apnea testing, Sleep Health Solutions performs testing in our clinical space and supports at-home testing procedures.
At Our Clinic
Our sleep clinic the provides the highest quality testing services in an atmosphere that seems like home. The analysis rooms are made to feel like your own bedroom.
At Home
Sleep Health Solutions also offers patients the option to take testing equipment home where the data is collected overnight. This convenient and accurate sleep evaluation is done in the comfort of your own home.
How to Treat Sleep Apnea
There is good news. Multiple treatment options are now available for those who struggle with sleep apnea. These options have been proven to help effectively manage the dangerous symptoms of this sleep disorder.
CPAP Therapy
The most effective and least invasive means of treating sleep apnea is with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
Inspire Sleep Therapy
This innovative surgical option can be a long-term solution for adults with central sleep apnea and severe OSA.
Learn More About Inspire Therapy
What Are the Goals of Sleep Apnea Treatment?
The goals of therapy are to improve health and overall wellbeing. The specific objectives are to improve the quality of sleep and to reduce the number of apnea events to safe levels. Improved sleep quality usually alleviates the symptoms caused by sleep apnea, often restoring daytime energy levels and ability to concentrate. Sleep coaching is available to help you over time to successfully manage sleep apnea symptoms.
We can assist you in finding relief from the fatigue caused by sleep apnea. Call the Sleep Health Solutions office or fill out the request form below to get started.
