Are you frequently tired despite getting a full night's sleep? Do you often wake up with a headache or a dry mouth? These could be signs of a common but often undiagnosed condition called sleep apnea. In this blog, your Boca Raton dentist will delve into what sleep apnea is, its symptoms, causes, and treatments, to help you better understand this sleep disorder.
Understanding Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person's breathing is interrupted during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times. This means the brain -- and the rest of the body -- may not get enough oxygen.
There are two types of sleep apnea: Obstructive and Central. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax. Central Sleep Apnea occurs when your brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Symptoms and Risks of Sleep Apnea
The most common symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, episodes of breathing cessation during sleep witnessed by another person, abrupt awakenings accompanied by shortness of breath, waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat, morning headache, difficulty staying asleep (insomnia), and excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia).
If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in a number of health problems, including high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, irregular heartbeats, heart attacks, diabetes, depression, worsening of ADHD, and headaches. It is essential to consult a healthcare provider if you experience, or if your partner notices, the following: snoring loud enough to disturb the sleep of others or yourself, shortness of breath that awakens you from sleep, intermittent pauses in your breathing during sleep, and excessive daytime drowsiness, which may cause you to fall asleep while you're working, watching television or even driving.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosing sleep apnea usually involves a professional sleep study conducted at a sleep center. Home sleep testing may also be an option. Tests to detect sleep apnea include Nocturnal polysomnography and Home sleep tests. During these tests, you're hooked up to equipment that monitors your heart, lung and brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels while you sleep.
Treatment for sleep apnea is necessary to avoid complications. This may include lifestyle changes, such as weight loss or changing sleep positions, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices, oral appliances designed to keep the throat open, and in severe cases, surgery.
Living with Sleep Apnea
Living with sleep apnea can be a challenge, but with the right treatment and lifestyle changes, you can significantly reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life. This may involve regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol and certain medications, and sleeping on your side or abdomen rather than on your back.
Remember, it's important to follow your doctor's advice and treatment plan, and to continue your treatment even if you feel better or have fewer symptoms.
Get Help for Sleep Apnea in Boca Raton, FL
If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms, don't wait to seek help. Dr. Svitlana Koval is a trusted healthcare provider, ready to assist you in diagnosing and treating this sleep apnea in Boca Raton. Don't let sleep apnea rob you of your rest and health. Reach out to Dr. Koval's office today at (954) 600-2056 and take the first step towards better sleep and better health.