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Feeling Tired?
Do you wake up in the morning still feeling tired? An estimated 20 million Americans suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common sleep disorder, but 90-95% of cases remain undiagnosed
Feeling Tired?
Do you wake up in the morning feeling tired? Does your partner complain about your snoring through the night? Do you find yourself falling asleep while watching TV, riding in a car, or doing other routine activities?
You may be one of an estimated 20 million Americans suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common type of sleep related breathing disorder.
With obstructive sleep apnea, your breathing airway is partially blocked by your tongue, tonsils, uvula (the small piece of soft tissue dangling at the back of your throat) or fatty neck tissue, causing you to stop breathing for anywhere from 10 to 60 seconds at a time - perhaps hundreds of times throughout the night. These gaps in breathing are called apneas, which mean absence of breath.
The most common symptoms of sleep apnea are heavy snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness. Sleep apnea sufferers often have morning headaches, memory problems, low energy and a general feeling of irritability and inability to cope with what each day brings - which is of course directly related to your lack of sleep at night. While your partner may suffer from your bad moods and noisy nights, the majority of sleep apnea sufferers are generally unaware of their nightly struggle to breathe, with an estimated 90%- 95% of cases remaining undiagnosed.
But sleep apnea is much more serious than just annoying your partner with a night of noisy snoring, in fact it can be extremely dangerous. A number of cardiovascular diseases including high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke, metabolic syndrome, and heart arrhythmias, are associated with obstructive sleep apnea, as well as a higher risk for depression. Worse still, sleep apnea has been deemed the greatest risk factor for car accidents, causing as many as 200,000 automobile accidents in the U.S. each year.
Many studies have also shown a link between sleep apnea and obesity, with more than half of those with obstructive sleep apnea being overweight. Fat deposits obstruct breathing by further narrowing the air passageway, while daytime tiredness results in a sedentary lifestyle that can lead to further weight gain. But not everyone who has sleep apnea is overweight and frequently, physicians overlook the possibility of sleep apnea among thin patients.
The good news is that once diagnosed, obstructive sleep apnea is easily treated. You can choose to get a sleep test done overnight in a sleep lab or order a home sleep test. Whether you choose to be tested in a sleep lab or at home, the basic procedure is the same. Sensors designed to monitor your breathing, oxygen levels, pulse, and body position are gently attached to your body to collect information while you sleep. The test is painless and equipment available today is comfortable.
Once recorded, your data is evaluated by medical sleep experts. If your test results indicate that you do suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, you may receive a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine), to assist you in breathing properly at night. The CPAP works by blowing air at a set pressure through a comfortable mask worn over your mouth and nose throughout the night.
One of the front runners in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders is the Aviisha Medical Wellness Institute in Los Angeles, offering clinic services in their sleep labs, home sleep tests, and customized weight loss plans for sleep apnea sufferers who also suffer from obesity. Recognizing the negative effect of sleepless nights on your health and overall wellbeing, Aviisha strives to find the best treatment plan for each individual patient, taking into consideration multiple aspects of their health and lifestyle.
If you are experiencing sleeping problems, you should get tested and treated and start enjoying a better quality of life.
