Sleep Apnea

With nearly half of all Americans experiencing some degree of snoring, the common disorder has become the topic of countless jokes and stories about frustrated spouses, vibrating windows, and wakened neighbors. But the reality is that snoring can be one of the symptoms of sleep apnea, a potentially life-threatening sleep syndrome that is no laughing matter.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can interfere with an individual’s breathing patterns. Severe cases can actually cause breathing to stop for seconds or minutes at a time throughout the night, along with other sleep apnea symptoms. Most cases of sleep apnea fall into one of the following categories:

  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Most sufferers of apnea are diagnosed with OSA. This condition describes a restriction of the breathing passageway, caused by the extreme relaxation of the uvula and other tissues in the back of the throat.
  • Central Sleep Apnea: In this type of apnea, breathing patterns are not caused by an airway blockage, but by failed communication between the neurons in the brain and the individual’s respiratory system.

What Causes Sleep Apnea Symptoms?

Anyone can suffer from symptoms of sleep apnea, although there are some risk factors and causes that can make an individual more susceptible. Those whose parents and other family members have suffered from the disorder may be more prone to it, as are people who are overweight, over forty years of age, or have larger tonsils. Men experience sleep apnea symptoms more often than women.

What’s the Danger of Sleep Apnea?

If you experience symptoms of sleep apnea and don’t seek treatment from a sleep specialist, you run a greater risk of stroke, heart failure, hypertension, and other serious health problems. Other impacts of sleep apnea are you’ll also get less rest at night, resulting in a higher chance of car accidents, workplace injuries, and reduced cognitive abilities during the day.

Getting Help:

You don’t have to live with sleep apnea indefinitely. By consulting with a qualified professional like Dr. Mark Kleive, you can determine the root of your disorder, begin a treatment program, and drastically reduce your sleep apnea symptoms. The benefits of seeking out evaluation and treatment are numerous, including improved health, higher levels of concentration and memory, improved relationships, and an overall better quality of life, both night and day. Read more about the benefits of sleep apnea treatment.
Sleep Apnea is not always black and white. There are many factors to evaluate and seeing a trained professional like Dr. Mark Kleive is the first step towards enhancing your life. We offer no fee consultations and will never pressure you into any decision.

To learn more about symptoms of sleep apnea and how to treat and prevent them, contact our office at (828)669-2974 or send us an email.