Did you know that millions of adults in the U.S have obstructive sleep apnea ? It’s a common condition that can have big impacts on your sleep, health, and day-to-day life. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to address your OSA, and Prana Health is here to help.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start while you’re sleeping. While there are several types of sleep apnea, the most common is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), in which the upper airway repeatedly collapses while you sleep, causing breathing to stop and start. This occurs when the muscles that support soft tissues in your throat relax, causing your airway to momentarily narrow or close. Obstructive sleep apnea is a potentially serious disorder that can contribute to a variety of other health problems. OSA can affect anyone but is most common among older men and postmenopausal women.
Do I Have Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
There are several symptoms to look for if you think you might have obstructive sleep apnea. These symptoms include:
- Snoring loudly
- Breathing repeatedly stops while you sleep
- Gasping for air while sleeping
- Insomnia (difficulty staying asleep)
- Headache in the morning
- Dry mouth in the morning
- Hypersomnia (excessive daytime drowsiness)
- Irritability
- Trouble paying attention while awake
Keep in mind that another type of sleep apnea – central sleep apnea – can also have these symptoms. A sleep specialist can help determine if you have sleep apnea, and if so, which type.
Why is Sleep Apnea an Issue?
Obstructive sleep apnea can cause a number of issues that impact your health and everyday life. Disrupted sleeping at night can make you feel sleepy, fatigued, and irritable during the day, which can negatively impact your quality of life. You may notice that it’s harder to concentrate during the day, your memory is impacted, and you’re not as productive.
OSA causes blood oxygen levels to suddenly drop, which increases blood pressure. This strain on the cardiovascular system can have long-term consequences if left untreated. Obstructive sleep apnea is closely linked to cardiovascular issues like hypertension, irregular heartbeat, and increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Additionally, OSA has been linked to metabolic syndrome, obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, abnormal cholesterol, liver problems, and more.
What to do if You Have Sleep Apnea
If you think you might have sleep apnea, it’s important to talk to a doctor or sleep specialist. They’ll be able to recommend next steps for you, such as participating in a sleep study and making lifestyle changes. Adjusting your sleep position, avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bedtime, and managing your weight may help alleviate some symptoms of sleep apnea.
A specialist may also recommend that you try continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, which involves using a machine while you sleep to keep your airway open. If you don’t respond well to CPAP therapy, oral appliances or surgery may be necessary.
Prana Health Can Help
At Prana Health, we specialize in sleep disorders and treatments, including OSA and CPAP therapy. If we decide that CPAP is the best option after learning more about your symptoms, we can help you get started with using the machine. If CPAP is not successful, we can find alternative treatments to help you get a better night’s sleep. Book an appointment with Prana Health today.
