Sleep Apnea
A person with sleep apnea stops breathing while asleep
Adults and children can have sleep apnea. A person with sleep apnea is may not be aware of the problem.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
- Loud snoring
- Excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue
- Falling asleep at inappropriate times such as at work or driving
- Forgetfulness
- Irritability
- Depression
- Morning headaches
Snoring – What You Need to Know
Snoring is a sign that the airway is not fully open, and you may not be getting enough oxygen while you sleep.
A pattern of snoring, interrupted by silence, then gasps are indications that breathing has stopped and then started again. The person may not be aware of this, but the pauses in breathing are very alarming to the bed partner. In severe cases, this can occur hundreds of times a night.
Children can also have sleep apnea. Snoring is not normal in a child and needs to be reported to your doctor. Enlarged tonsils or obesity can contribute to sleep apnea in children.
If you snore in any position while you sleep position (side, back or stomach), you need to see your physician about a referral to a sleep specialist.
Health Risks
Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to:
- High blood pressure
- Heart failure
- Heart attack
- Stroke
Diagnosing Sleep Apnea
Doctors diagnose sleep apnea based on your medical and family histories, a physical exam and sleep study results. You may be asked to take a sleep study to determine if you are experiencing sleep apnea. Sleep studies can be done at the Bryan Sleep Center or through a Home Sleep Test.
There are different kinds of sleep studies. If your doctor thinks you have sleep apnea, he or she may recommend a polysomnogram (poly-SOM-no-gram; also called a PSG) or a home-based portable monitor.
Treating Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is medically treatable. If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, your sleep specialist will determine your medical treatment plan.
