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Questions about Sleep Apnea
Sacramento, Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Stockton, Modesto, California
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea affects about 12 million people in the United States each year. This condition occurs when the tissue in your upper airways blocks your breathing passages, and disrupts your sleep. There are three types of sleep apnea—obstructive, central, and mixed. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common. With this type, the muscles in the upper part of your throat, which allows air to flow into your lungs, are not strong enough to stay open while you are resting. This obstructs your airway, causing your breathing to stop temporarily. These constant interruptions prohibit you from achieving REM sleep and ultimately, a good night’s rest.
What causes sleep apnea?
Researchers have yet to determine the exact cause of sleep apnea. However, they do know that with this condition air is not able to move into your lungs the way it does when you are awake. The pauses in your breathing can cause the oxygen level in your blood to drop, and the effects can be damaging.
What are the damaging effects of sleep apnea?
During each apnea, the stress on your body can result in an irregular heart rate and increased blood pressure. Both of these can increase your risk for a heart attack.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, you may feel particularly tired throughout day, which can hinder your profession and driving safety. Long-term effects can include:
- Depression
- Irritability
- Impotency
- Learning and memory difficulties
- Falling asleep during daily tasks
What are the symptoms?
Since you are asleep, family members and spouses generally notice the following symptoms first:
- Loud snoring
- Periods of disrupted breathing (called apnea)
- Unusually tired in the morning
- Abnormal daytime sleepiness, including falling asleep during tasks
- Headaches
- Weight gain and lethargy
- Limited attention and memory loss
Who is at highest risk for sleep apnea?
Risk factors include being male, overweight and having a family history of sleep apnea. Other factors associated with sleep apnea include: use of alcohol and sedative drugs, which relax the muscles around your upper airway; smoking, which can cause inflammation, swelling, and narrowing of the upper airway; allergies and nasal congestion.
If you may be suffering from sleep apnea and live in the Roseville, California area, please contact us today to schedule you consultation.
