All About Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is considered a serious sleep disorder that interrupts the breathing of a person during his or her sleep. An individual suffering from this condition will stop breathing repeatedly during his/her sleep. It may occur more than hundred times if the condition is severe. The danger of the condition is the brain, and other parts of the body may not get enough oxygen under such circumstances. That’s why you need to immediately see a qualified healthcare provider if you suffer from sleep apnea. This article offers information on the symptoms and treatments of sleep apnea in Ogden.

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The condition is categorized into two types such as: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – OSA is the most common type which is caused due to the blockage of the airway. This happens when the soft tissue at the back of your throat collapses during your sleep. Central Sleep Apnea – This condition is not common such as OSA. It occurs when the brain is not able to send signals to the muscles to breathe. The reason for this condition is the instability in the respiratory control center.

Although the condition can affect any age group or sex, there are some risk factors for this sleep disorder. If you are a male who is over 40 years and overweight, you are at risk of being affected by the condition more than others. Also, a person having a large neck size (16 inches or greater for both men & women), large tongue, small jawbones, and nasal obstructions is more prone to sleep apnea compared to other people. The condition can lead to many other health issues if left untreated for a long time.

Untreated sleep apnea may result in high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, depression, irregular heart beats, worsening of ADHD, and headaches. On the other hand, the patient may feel lethargic and sleepy during the daytime. That’s why it is important that you consult a qualified healthcare provider to diagnose your sleep apnea in Ogden and treat it.

Symptoms And Diagnosis

There are many symptoms of this condition. Some of the main symptoms include waking up with a dry throat, loud snoring, morning headaches, waking up with choking sensations, insomnia, mood changes, forgetfulness, and lack of energy during the day time. Your doctor will conduct a polysomnogram or a sleep apnea test in Ogden to diagnose the condition. This test can be done at home or a sleep disorder center. The test results are analyzed by a qualified sleep specialist to determine if you are suffering from the condition. If the condition is diagnosed, your doctor may ask you to go through further tests to determine the right type of treatment for the condition.

There are many other tests used to diagnose the exact condition. An EEG or electroencephalogram is ordered to measure the brainwave activity of the affected person. An EOG or electrooculogram is conducted to record the eye movements. The nasal airflow sensor will record the airflow of the individual while a snore microphone is used to record snoring activity. Once the healthcare provider is certain that you have sleep apnea, he/she will begin treatments, like CPAP in Ogden.

Treatments

Treatments may range from simple lifestyle changes such as changing sleep positions or losing weight, to surgery and CPAP therapy in Ogden. Mild cases can be treated by changing your behavior. In fact, you may have to lose excess weight, avoid sleeping pills and alcohol, Change your sleep position to improve the breathing during your sleep, and stop smoking which can increase the swelling in the upper airways. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is one of the most effective treatments for this condition. A mask is worn over the mouth or nose while you sleep. The mask is connected to a device which supplies a continuous flow of air into your nose. CPAP treatments in Ogden help keep the airway open and making your breathing regular and easier.

There are times when a patient would have to undergo surgery to get rid of their condition. That’s when a person has enlarged tonsils or a deviated nasal septum. Under such conditions, surgery can help cure the sleep disorder. There are many other treatment methods to control this condition. Some of them include procedures to stiffen the soft tissue of the soft palate. For patients who are unable to use a CPAP in Ogden, an implanted device is available. This device is known as “Inspire” which is an upper airway stimulator. The device helps keep the airway open during sleep. These are some of the most effective treatments for this sleep disorder.

In conclusion, sleep apnea affects millions of people across the country. It affects all age groups and sexes. Sleep apnea in Ogden should be diagnosed and treated to prevent complications over time.