Sleep Breathing Problem = Sleep Problems
When a patient’s sleep fails to rest them, there is a sleep quality problem. Some disturbance is preventing them from getting deep, sound sleep. In the vast majority of cases, these disturbances are caused by a sleep breathing problem. While snoring is a common sign, you don’t have to snore to have a sleep breathing problem.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Any disturbance or interruption of breathing during sleep is termed sleep apnea. For those affected by it, there can be many temporary interruptions in breathing, each usually lasting about 10 seconds, throughout the sleep period. These interruptions in breathing can occur as often as 20 to 30 times per hour. This is because the airway closes as muscles of the throat relax during deep sleep — so as soon as the brain tries to re-enter deep sleep after a disturbance, the cycle repeats.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Because the most obvious signs of sleep apnea occur during sleep, they may be recognized first by people with whom one shares living quarters.
- Snoring
- Struggling to breathe during sleep
- Interruption in breathing during sleep followed by a snort when breathing begins again
- Being excessively sleepy during the day
- Falling asleep during activities that require attention and concentration, such as driving, working or talking
Treatments for Sleep Apnea
The most common medical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which is a therapy that uses pressure from an air blower to circulate air through the nasal passages and upper airway. The patient wears a mask over the nose that is connected to the air pressure hose, and the air pressure is adjusted to keep the airway open during sleep. Other therapies include dental appliances that change the position of the jaw and tongue, and various surgeries to keep the airway open during sleep.
Risk factors for Sleep Apnea include
- Being overweight
- Having a physical abnormality in the nose, throat, or other parts of the upper respiratory tract
- High blood pressure
Sleep Apnea Specialists
The Rowe Neurology Institute has specialized in sleep disorders for many years. If you are suffering from sleep problems, click the button below at any time to request an appointment online, or call us at (913) 894-1500.
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