Don’t Let Your Sleep Apnea Go Undiagnosed
The American Sleep Apnea Association estimates that around 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, and nearly 80 percent of these cases go undiagnosed.
Sleep apnea is a disorder that stops you from breathing while sleeping. If left untreated, this sleep condition can take a significant toll on your mental and physical health, leading to serious consequences.
In most cases, patients are either not receiving the right treatment for their condition or are completely unaware they have it. That’s why Dr. Greenman has put together a guide explaining what symptoms to look for, how sleep apnea can affect your health, and what we can do to help.
Signs to Look Out For
Sleep apnea symptoms are closely related to other sleeping problems, which is why it commonly goes unnoticed. Varying from patient to patient, these symptoms can affect your entire well-being. Common signs of sleep apnea include:
- Excessive, loud snoring
- Insomnia
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Anxiety and depression
- Waking up with a sore/dry throat
- Daytime fatigue and drowsiness
- Morning headaches
- Lack of energy or motivation
- Irritability
Types of Sleep Apnea
When diagnosing your sleep disorder, it’s important to understand the types of sleep apnea in order to get the best treatment for your condition.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of the sleeping condition. This occurs when the throat muscles relax during sleep, obstructing the airway in the back of the throat, and causing a complete cessation of breathing.
When your brain senses a drop in oxygen levels, it sends a signal to wake you up and gasp for air. Patients typically don’t remember waking up, but this cycle can repeat itself up to 30 times per hour.
Central Sleep Apnea
Central sleep apnea (CSA) is a less common form of the disease that occurs when the brain doesn’t signal the muscles to breathe. Patients with CSA may not be able to breathe for short periods of time, which will often cause them to awaken feeling a shortness of breath and find it difficult to fall back asleep.
Serious Health Consequences
Not all patients share the same risk for sleep apnea. Gender and age are two common uncontrolled factors linked to sleep apnea. More specifically, older patients and males face a higher risk of developing the condition.
Research has found that sleep apnea increases your risk for other major health issues, including:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease and strokes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obesity
- Impotence
- Adult asthma
- Acid reflux
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t seek treatment for my sleep apnea?
The consequences of sleep apnea can be life-threatening. Untreated sleep apnea has been associated with risks of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and more.
How do I diagnose my sleep apnea?
Dr. Greenman can refer you to a local sleep physician for a professional, overnight sleep study. He can also provide at-home screening tests for you to complete in the comfort of your own home.
What types of sleep apnea are there?
There are two different types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. The most common, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is what we treat here in Westlake Village. OSA episodes occur during a person’s sleep when there’s an obstruction in their airway, preventing them from breathing properly.
Is sleep apnea only found in adults?
No. Although sleep apnea is most common in older adults, your child can also suffer from this sleep disorder. To discover if your child’s sleep apnea has been misdiagnosed, ask Dr. Greenman about common symptoms found in kids.
Get the Good Night’s Rest You Deserve
In view of childhood breathing problems, Dr. Greenman has a personal connection and sensitivity to sleep apnea. He needed medical intervention to improve his health, breathing, and sleep apnea patterns.
Because of this, Dr. Greenman understands the importance of providing safe and effective care for each patient. That’s why we’ll take the time to understand your individual case and provide you with the best treatment for your sleep apnea.
If you’ve tried CPAP and it wasn’t right for you, we offer comfortable alternatives like custom-made oral appliances to fit your unique bite. Call our Westlake office at (805) 601-8277 to schedule your free consultation. We provide real solutions to improve your quality of life.