Sleep Apnea Specialist

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where you stop breathing many times throughout the night while you sleep. There are three types of sleep apnea, including:

Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type. With this type of sleep apnea, your breathing stops because your throat muscles relax and obstruct the airway while you sleep.

Central sleep apnea

With central sleep apnea, your brain isn’t providing the needed information to the muscles that control breathing. 

Mixed sleep apnea

Mixed sleep apnea includes both obstructive and central sleep apnea.

A sleep study is needed to diagnose sleep apnea and the type. 

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea symptoms are similar for both types. Common symptoms include:

• Loud snoring
• Waking up with a dry mouth
• Feeling fatigued during the day
• Irritability
• Gasping for air while sleeping
• Insomnia

Your sleep partner may also witness disruptions in your breathing while you sleep. 

You may be at risk of developing sleep apnea if it runs in your family, you smoke cigarettes, or you’re obese.

What are sleep apnea health complications?

In addition to the symptoms, sleep apnea may also increase your risk of developing other health complications. Many people with cardiovascular conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart failure, or stroke, also have sleep apnea. 

Whether sleep apnea causes heart disease is still unclear. However, having sleep apnea significantly increases your risk of developing high blood pressure. 

Your blood pressure rises because you’re not breathing. Your oxygen level falls and excites the receptors that alert your brain. 

Your brain responds by sending signals that tell your blood vessels to “tighten up” and increase the flow of oxygen to your heart and brain. These effects then get carried into your day, leading to a chronic increase in blood pressure.

How is sleep apnea treated?

The cardiologists at Laurelton Heart Specialists take an individualized approach to managing sleep apnea, primarily focusing on the factors that contribute to the sleep disorder, as well as the related complications. 

Your treatment plan may include:

• Diet changes
• Exercise program
• Medications to improve hypertension

For obesity, the team utilizes modern weight management techniques that promote weight loss and improves sleep apnea, as well as hypertension and other weight-related health issues such as heart disease.

Sleep apnea is a complex condition. To discuss treatment options to help you manage the sleep disorder, contact Laurelton Heart Specialists by phone or online today.