Sleep Apnea – What is it?

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder during which breathing stops and starts regularly throughout the night. If you’ve been told that you snore and you also are tired after a full night’s sleep, you might have the disorder, and you can contact Dr. Stephen Poss at Sleep Apnea Solutions in Brentwood, TN. for an assessment.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

3 categories of the disorder:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles relax and create loose flapping, causing snoring and throat obstruction.
  • Central sleep apnea is the result of your brain not sending the correct signals to muscles that control breathing operation.
  • Complex sleep apnea syndrome happens when a patient has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea

If you have a feeling that you might have sleep apnea, contact your doctor. And schedule a sleep apnea test. The treatment for apnea can alleviate your symptoms and potentially avoid heart problems or other health issues.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

The indicators of both obstructive and central sleep apneas can intermingle to make it difficult to surmise which version you may have. The most common overlapping symptoms of obstructive and central are:

  • Disruptive snoring
  • Stopping breathing during sleep – reported by another
  • Choking or gasping for air while sleeping
  • Waking up with a dry mouth in the morning
  • Having a headache in the morning
  • Insomnia
  • Overly sleepy during the day
  • Hard to pay attention during the day
  • Irritable

Risk factors

For obstructive sleep apnea:

  • Extra weight – Fat deposits in your airway can inhibit your breathing.
  • Neck size – Thick necks can contribute to narrow airways.
  • Airway –   Either inherited or the tonsils, adenoids can block airflow.
  • Gender– Men are two or three times more likely to have sleep apnea.
  • Age – Occurs more frequently in older adults.
  • Genetics – Family members with sleep apnea can increase your risk.
  • Substance use – Alcohol or some prescription drugs can relax the throat.
  • Smoking – Smokers are three times more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea
  • Nasal congestion – If you have difficulty breathing through your nose — whether from an anatomical problem or allergies — you’re more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea.

For central sleep apnea:

  • Age – Middle-aged and older people have a higher.
  • Gender – Central sleep apnea is more common in men.
  • Heart disorders – Congestive heart failure increases the risk.
  • Using narcotics – Opioid medications can increase the risk.
  • Stroke – If you’ve had a stroke, this increases your risk.

Possible Complications

Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition. The regular wakeups during sleep apnea make normal sleep impossible and contribute to severe daytime drowsiness. Complications can include difficulty concentrating, falling asleep while working, watching TV or driving. There is a high risk of a motor vehicle or workplace accident.

Apnea also contributes to feeling irritable, moody or depressed. Children with sleep apnea might perform poorly or have behavior problems.

Sudden drops in blood oxygen associated with sleep apnea increase your chances of having high blood pressure. Obstructive sleep apnea can also increase your risk of heart attack, stroke or death from an irregular heartbeat.

Having sleep apnea increases your risk of developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Metabolic syndrome. This disorder, which includes high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, high blood sugar, and increased waist circumference, is linked to a higher risk of heart disease.

People with sleep apnea are more likely to have livers with signs of scarring, called “non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.”

Loud snoring can also affect loved ones and keep anyone sleeping near you from getting good sleep. If it’s time for you to get tested for sleep apnea, contact Dr. Stephen Poss at Sleep Apnea Solutions in Brentwood, TN.

CONTACT SLEEP APNEA AND TMJ SOLUTIONS:

615-850-8445

LOCATION (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

1177 Old Hickory Blvd, Suite 203
Brentwood, TN 37027