Common Symptons and Health Risks
Sleep Apnea
What Are Its Common Symptoms and Health Risks?
Are you finding it hard to catch a good night’s sleep? Well, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with sleep issues and don’t realize that the answer could be a simple visit to a sleep clinic. At Sleep Better Philly, we understand the significance of restful sleep and work tirelessly to help our patients improve their sleep health.
One common reason why some people can’t sleep is sleep apnea. It is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep and more and more people are affected. Recognizing sleep apnea symptoms and its potential health risks can fast-track effective treatment and improve sleep quality.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that interrupts normal breathing patterns during sleep, marked by frequent pauses in breathing. These episodes, lasting a few seconds to over a minute, occur repeatedly, often with a loud snoring sound upon resumption of breathing.
There are two types of sleep apnea:
1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
The most common form, OSA, occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax during sleep, causing a blockage in the upper airway. This results in pauses in breathing during sleep and typically leads to loud snoring and disrupted sleep patterns.
2. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
This is a less common form of sleep apnea. Unlike OSA, the issue here isn’t a physical blockage but a communication problem. In CSA, the brain fails to send the necessary signals to the muscles that control breathing. This results in periods of missed breaths during sleep. CSA is often linked to serious illnesses like heart failure and stroke.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
- Loud Snoring. This is often the first symptom that is noticed, usually by other people in the household. The snoring can be loud enough to wake others up and usually happens repeatedly throughout the night.
- Episodes of Breathing Interruptions. These are commonly observed by another person witnessing the individual sleep. These breathing pauses can last a few seconds to minutes and may end with a gasping or choking sound.
- Daytime Drowsiness. Because sleep apnea disrupts the sleep cycle, individuals often experience excessive daytime sleepiness, which can lead to difficulty concentrating, feelings of irritability, and even falling asleep during routine activities.
- Morning Headaches. Many people suffering from sleep apnea frequently wake up with headaches due to the decrease in oxygen to the brain and body during sleep apnea episodes.
What Are the Health Risks of Ignoring Sleep Apnea?
High Blood Pressure/Hypertension
The frequent nighttime awakenings caused by sleep apnea result in increased stress and higher blood pressure. Over time, this can lead to hypertension.
Heart Disease
Sleep apnea disrupts the flow of oxygen, which makes it hard for your brain to control how blood flows in your arteries and the brain itself. This can lead to an increased risk of heart disease.
Stroke
Lack of sufficient oxygen supply due to sleep apnea can lead to the brain experiencing moments of ischemia, increasing the risk of a stroke.
Diabetes
The body’s response to the lack of sleep from sleep apnea can lead to insulin resistance, a precursor for type 2 diabetes.
Depression
Chronic fatigue resulting from the interrupted sleep caused by sleep apnea can lead to emotional distress, triggering depression and anxiety disorders.
How Do We Treat Sleep Apnea at Sleep Better Philly
There are several treatments for sleep apnea, but at our practice, we use oral appliance therapy as our treatment option.
Oral appliance therapy works by repositioning the jaw and tongue, which in turn opens up the airway, allowing for a more unrestricted flow of air. We use custom-fitted appliances, ensuring a comfortable fit and effective treatment. Apart from treating sleep apnea, this therapy can also alleviate problems associated with snoring.
Take Control of Your Sleep Health
Contact Us Today
If the common symptoms and health risks of sleep apnea seem familiar to you or a loved one, know that you are not alone and help is at hand. At Sleep Better Philly, we invite you to talk with us about your sleep concerns. Our comprehensive sleep apnea services, backed by knowledge and years of experience, are personalized to your needs.
Let us help you counter sleep apnea effectively. Don’t compromise your sleep health–contact us today!