Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that affects 22 million Americans. A person who has sleep apnea will repeatedly stop and start breathing while they are sleeping. Many people don’t even realize they have it and if left untreated, it can be a very serious condition.
Sleep apnea is a disorder in which a patient will stop breathing anywhere from 30-50 times a night. There are three types of sleep apnea; Obstructive, Central, and Complex. Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form, causes the muscles in your throat to block the air during sleep. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain doesn’t signal the muscles to breathe. Complex sleep apnea occurs when both obstructive and central sleep apneas have been treated and there are still breathing problems. Although there are different types of sleep apnea, the symptoms can be the same.
Some symptoms include: Snoring, acid reflux, high blood pressure, daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, depression, mood swings, abrupt awakenings with gasping or choking, and nighttime sweating. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to stroke, heart attack, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, depression, glaucoma, diabetes, chronic fatigue, and hypertension. Sleep apnea is diagnosed by a combination of studying symptoms and signs, testing, and overnight sleep monitoring by a specialist. There are a few treatments for sleep apnea, including a CPAP machine and other airway pressure devices, oral appliances, and surgery. If you have any symptoms of sleep apnea or think that you may be at risk, give us a call today at (323) 931-2000.

How Do I Know If I Am At Risk for Sleep Apnea?

Here are several risk factors to be aware of. If you can say “yes” to three or more of these factors please let us know right away.