What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that causes interruptions in breathing during sleep. These interruptions can last for a few seconds or several minutes and occur multiple times throughout the night. Sleep apnea can lead to symptoms such as loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, daytime fatigue, headaches, mood changes, and difficulty concentrating. Sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke if left untreated.
The Two Types of Sleep Apnea:
The two most common forms of sleep apnea include obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA):
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The most common type of sleep apnea, OSA, occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open during sleep, causing interruptions in breathing. This can lead to symptoms such as snoring, gasping for air during sleep, headaches, fatigue, and irritability.
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): Less common than OSA, CSA occurs when the brain fails to send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. This can lead to symptoms similar to OSA, including breathing interruptions during sleep. CSA is often associated with underlying medical conditions like heart failure or stroke.
What is Sleep Apnea Treatment?
Sleep apnea treatment involves addressing the condition’s underlying cause, which is usually the narrowing or blockage of the airway during sleep. Treatment options may include lifestyle changes such as weight loss, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bedtime. In addition to lifestyle changes, sleep apnea treatment may involve using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which delivers a constant flow of air to keep the airway open while you sleep.
In our office, an oral appliance can be made for those individuals who can not tolerate a CPAP machine.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea:
If you think you are struggling with sleep apnea, contact us immediately. It’s always possible to have a peaceful, restful sleep.
- Loud snoring: Loud and chronic snoring is one of the most common sleep apnea symptoms.
- Gasping for air during sleep: Interruptions in breathing while sleeping can cause a person to gasp or choke.
- Daytime fatigue: People with sleep apnea may experience excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue, even after a whole night’s sleep.
- Headaches: Morning headaches are a common symptom of sleep apnea.
- Mood changes: Irritability, mood swings, and depression are common sleep apnea symptoms.
- Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep is a common symptom of sleep apnea.
- Dry mouth or sore throat: Interruptions in breathing can cause a person to breathe through their mouth, leading to a dry mouth or a sore throat in the morning.
- Difficulty concentrating: Sleep apnea can cause trouble with concentration and memory.
- High blood pressure: Sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure or worsen existing high blood pressure.
- Nighttime sweating: People with sleep apnea may experience excessive sweating during the night.
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Millersville, Maryland
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s essential to consult with us for a sleep study and treatment plan. At Dr. Brian D. Valle, P.A., we offer customized sleep apnea treatment options to help you achieve better sleep and overall health. Dr. Brian Valle and our team will be with you every step of the way to ensure you get the sweet sleep that you deserve.
