About Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is when you 'stop breathing' (a cessation or reduction in airflow) repeatedly during the night. It is a serious sleep disorder leading to a number of other health problems. This repeated interruption in your oxygen flow and sleep cycle leads to unrefreshing sleep as well as health issues including high blood pressure, cognitive problems, diabetes, depression, weight gain and more.
Many people with sleep apnea also snore or make gasping sounds during sleep when their breathing starts again. Other symptoms of sleep apnea include waking up tired, daytime sleepiness, and waking with a headache, dry mouth or sore throat. Since you likely do not realize your breathing is interrupted during sleep, these symptoms may be your clues to sleep apnea.
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Your sleep apnea may be either OSA or CSA - Obstructive Sleep Apnea or Central Sleep Apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by anatomical issues that block your airway during sleep. Central sleep apnea is caused by interrupted brain signaling to the muscles controlling your breathing during sleep. In either case, it is very important for you to get a diagnosis as early as possible because there is help for your sleep apnea.
How we can help
Our team at Garrett County Sleep Center will work with you to get to the bottom of your sleep problems. Sleep apnea is most often diagnosed with an overnight sleep study which monitors your oxygen levels and other important sleep factors. After your initial evaluation, we can determine if an on-site or at-home sleep study best meets your diagnostic needs.
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A detailed analysis of your sleep study including oximeter readings , EEG patterns, sleep stage transitions and other measures will allow us to determine the type and severity of your sleep apnea and recommend the best treatment plan for you. Although sleep apnea is a serious condition, there is also a lot of research into the condition which has led to very effective treatment options.
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For example, mild OSA can often be treated with a specialized oral device fitted to prevent airway collapse during sleep. In other cases, a CPAP machine with a lightweight mask worn at night can provide just the right air pressure to prevent apnea episodes while you sleep. We are dedicated to finding the right treatment to help you finally sleep well. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!
