Sleep Apnea
Do you or someone you know snore?
One of the most common signs of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is loud and chronic (ongoing) snoring. Pauses may occur and choking or gasping may follow the pauses. Being asleep during these symptoms likely guarantees the snoring person will likely not know that they're having problems breathing or be able to judge how severe the problem is. Family members or bed partner will often notice these problems first. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea.
Another common sign of sleep apnea is fighting sleepiness during the day, at work, or while driving. Other signs and symptoms of sleep apnea may include: morning headaches, memory or learning problems, not being able to concentrate, feeling irritable, depressed, or having mood swings or personality changes, urination at night, a dry throat when you wake up. In children, sleep apnea can cause hyperactivity, poor school performance, and aggressiveness. Children who have sleep apnea also may have unusual sleeping positions, bedwetting, and may breathe through their mouths instead of their noses during the day.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when soft tissue collapses during sleep. Sleep apnea is very common, as common as adult diabetes, and affects more than twelve million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health. Risk factors include: being male, overweight, and over the age of forty, but sleep apnea can strike anyone at any age.
This serious disorder can have significant consequences. Untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure, heart attack, heart failure and other cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain, impotency, and headaches. Moreover, untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for job impairment and motor vehicle crashes. Fortunately, sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated. One of the most common treatments for sleep apnea is Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) therapy.
If you suspect you or someone you love may be suffering from sleep apnea, talk to your doctor about having a sleep study done. This test can rule out or help your doctor diagnose sleep apnea and other conditions.
Should you have sleep apnea and need treatment with PAP therapy, we at SMP Home Medical can help. One of our experienced respiratory therapists can assist you with everything from understanding your sleep study to finding the right and most comfortable interface.