Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes your breathing to stop and start while you sleep. This can happen dozens of times throughout the night. Sleep apnea can prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep leaving you irritable from lack of rest. Patients stop breathing due to airflow blockage or disrupted signals from the brain to the airway until the brain wakes the patient up in order to restart breathing.
Over a prolonged period of time, you can suffer from adverse side effects associated with inadequate sleep such as excessive fatigue, a weakened immune system, a higher risk of stroke, and more.
The Three Types of Sleep Apnea
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The most common type of sleep apnea, OSA occurs when the muscles at the back of the throat relax too much during sleep, causing the throat to collapse and block the airway. Deep snoring, gasping or choking, and wheezing are telltale signs of OSA.
Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): CSA makes up nearly 20% of sleep apnea cases. It’s usually a more difficult problem to treat because it occurs when the signals between the brain and lungs are disrupted. This causes sufferers to breathe very shallowly or stop breathing altogether during sleep.
Complex/Mixed Sleep Apnea: Complex sleep apnea cases are characterized by a combination of the other two conditions. With each apneic episode, the brain partially awakens the patient to force breathing to resume.
The Dangers of Untreated Sleep Apnea
If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause a number of health problems, including:
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Heart failure, heart attacks, and heart palpitations
- Diabetes
- Worsening ADHD
- Depression
- Chronic headaches
Contact Us Today For A Sleep Apnea Consultation
734-996-0055
If you’re having trouble sleeping or find that you’re excessively tired throughout the day, don’t wait any longer to get treatment. You may be suffering from sleep apnea, which poses a threat to your overall health. Contact Dr. Dailey to schedule a complimentary screening to see how we can help. Now is the time to say goodbye to sleep apnea and regain a restful night’s sleep!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Increases Your Risk of OSA?
You may be at a higher risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea if you have a family history of the condition, you’re a male, or you’re overweight. People with health conditions are also at a higher risk, as well as those who smoke or drink alcohol frequently.
What Should You Do If You Suspect You May Have Sleep Apnea?
If you’re experiencing any symptoms of sleep apnea, contact our office right away at (734) 249-6888. We’ll offer you a free consultation to evaluate your condition and provide you with a take-home sleep apnea test.