What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes a person to stop breathing while sleeping. These pauses in breathing can last anywhere from several seconds to a minute or longer. Because sleep apnea causes these pauses in breathing, it causes interruptions in sleep as well. This can lead to feeling tired all the time and experiencing mood swings, headaches, and other side effects. Sleep apnea can affect people of any age, but it is most common in people who are middle-aged or older.

Sleep apnea is often the result of an obstruction in the airway but can also be caused by a neurological disorder or a physical disorder. Sleep apnea can cause a person to wake up multiple times throughout the night, which reduces the quantity and quality of sleep. Sleep apnea can also cause headaches, anxiety, depression, irritability, morning headaches, snoring, and other symptoms of sleep deprivation.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a very serious and potentially dangerous sleep disorder. If you experience any of these symptoms regularly, you should consult with your doctor.

• Difficulty sleeping
• Drowsiness or tiredness during the day
• Morning headaches
• Mood swings
• Chronic fatigue
• Unintentional weight gain
• Frequent urination at night
• Loud snoring
• Irritability or moodiness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Neck pain

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis.

How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?

Diagnosis of sleep apnea typically begins with a patient's visit to the doctor. During that visit, the doctor will review the patient's medical history and perform a general physical examination. If the doctor suspects that the patient is suffering from sleep apnea, he or she will refer the patient to a sleep specialist for a sleep study. During this study, the patient's breathing, heart rate, and brain activity will be monitored overnight. Based on the results of the sleep study, a physician will be able to diagnose sleep apnea.

How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?

Sleep apnea is a very serious condition that requires a special type of therapy in order to be treated effectively. The most common option for sleep apnea treatment is a CPAP machine. This is a device that uses air pressure to keep the patient's airways open while they sleep. However, since most people find this device to be uncomfortable and bulky, we always recommend oral appliance therapy. 

To learn more about our services for sleep apnea, call us at (971) 339-0816 or visit the Sleep Health Partners office at 9370 SW Greenburg Rd, Suite 422 Rd Suite 422, Portland 97223.