A good night’s sleep is essential, but even if you do your best to avoid caffeine and maintain good sleep hygiene habits, sleep apnea can still prevent you from getting the rest you need. Learning more about sleep apnea and what signs you should watch for will help you decide if you need to see a doctor for your condition. There are treatments for sleep apnea; the first step towards getting a good night’s sleep is recognizing the signs of this serious but treatable condition.
Sleep apnea is often first noticed by a partner in the form of loud breathing or snoring.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can go undetected for years. This condition can cause long pauses in breathing during the night; as you struggle to breathe you naturally wake up. Most of your muscles are relaxed when you’re asleep, but sleeping shouldn’t affect the muscles that are in charge of breathing regulation. IF you find yourself waking up and gasping for breath or waking multiple times at night feeling like you were drowning or out of air, sleep apnea could be to blame.
Since you are actually waking up multiple times each night, you’re not getting the kind of deep, restful sleep you need for goof health. This lack of sleep can lead to a variety of symptoms from fatigue and anxiety to increased stress and even narcolepsy (falling asleep unexpectedly while performing another task).
Because it causes both fatigue and a tendency to fall asleep during the day, sleep apnea can more than a nuisance – it can be dangerous as well. People who suffer from sleep apnea are unaware of the dangerous loss of oxygen in their system which causes problems with vision, loss of productivity and even extreme mood swings.
Sleep apnea may be first diagnosed by your spouse or partner, thanks to the loud and sudden snores patients emit throughout the night… Snoring is loud and unpleasant for partners of individuals who are affected by sleep apnea. While snoring isn’t automatic proof that a person has a sleeping disorder, it is a sign that you should see a doctor to discuss the possibility of a sleep issue.
This dangerous sleeping disorder is often discovered after a lifetime of sleepless nights and insomnia. In many cases, the patient’s spouse or partner simply can’t take the noise anymore and insists in a doctor visit. Even if your partner does not object, if you snore loudly, it is a good idea to at least explore the possibility that sleep apnea is a problem for you.
Sleep apnea treatment may be caused by a variety of factors, from the way your nose and throat are structured to your overall weight or other medical conditions. Obesity can trigger snoring and sleep apnea, so your doctor might recommend getting rid of those extra pounds. Physical problems with the nose septum and tonsils could also be to blame when you have sleep apnea
The way your sleep apnea is treated will depend on the cause. If you have a true physical issue, surgery might be the best option. For patients with other causes, a machine that forces oxygen can be donned at night – and help make sure you are breathing correctly all night long. The best way to get treatment for suspected sleep apnea is to speak with a qualified sleep specialist or doctor to learn more about the condition and your options.
Popular options include CPAP machines, oral devices, and Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA).
If you or someone you know is in need of a better night’s sleep, contact us for a no obligation consultation. We are the sleep specialists at Chevy Chase ENT located in the Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. metro area dealing with sleep apnea and sleep-related problems. We can help diagnose your condition, recommend whether a sleep study would be beneficial, and offer you a variety of treatment options including CPAP, Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) and more.
