Sleep Apnea
Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Palm City
Sleep Apnea Specialist in Stuart Florida
People tend to associate sleep apnea with loud, persistent snoring that bothers anyone within earshot. But this disorder can be a lot more serious than just an annoyance. Sleep apnea can have dangerous health consequences if not treated properly. If you snore while you sleep or never feel well-rested after sleep, it’s time to get it checked out.
The Sleep Apnea Wellness Center in Stuart, Florida specializes in making sure their patients finally get a proper night’s sleep. Dr. Horan and his team of experienced professionals take the time to develop a custom treatment plan for each of their patients to find a cure for their snoring, and guarantee the best possible solution.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes you to stop and start breathing repeatedly throughout the night. Some people stop breathing as much as 30 times per hour.
People with sleep apnea often snore loudly throughout the night, but not always. The culprit behind snoring is often a narrowed airway from the tissues in your throat relaxing too much. You are more likely to snore if you have a naturally smaller airway, or have nasal problems like chronic congestion or a deviated septum.
Types of Sleep Apnea
There are three main types of sleep apnea:
Central Sleep Apnea
This is a less common form of sleep apnea, but no less dangerous. People with this disorder experience interrupted breathing when their brain fails to send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
This is the most common form of sleep apnea. This is when your airway is blocked due to the muscles in your throat relaxing and blocking your airway while you sleep.
Complex Sleep Apnea
This is when people have both central and obstructive sleep apnea.
How do I know if I Have Sleep Apnea?
Some of the major signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Loud snoring.
- Choking or gasping for air periodically throughout the night.
- Feeling extremely tired during the day, regardless of how long you’ve slept for.
- Trouble focusing or memory issues.
- Periods of irritability and moodiness.
- Waking up with a dry mouth and/or sore throat.
- Waking up with a headache.
- Male
- Overweight
- Over the age of 40
- Have nasal obstruction problems such as allergies and sinus issues
- Have a larger than normal neck size
- Have a family history of sleep disorders
Am I At Risk for Sleep Apnea?
Anyone can suffer from sleep apnea. However, some risk factors make you more susceptible to developing the disorder.
You may be at risk if you are:
Most Common Questions Sleep Apnea
Short-term Consequences
Long-term Consequences
Sleep Study: People generally find out they have sleep apnea after completing a sleep study. This involves an overnight stay in a medical facility or sleep center. During the study, you are hooked up to equipment that will monitor things like your heart, lung, and brain activity, breathing, and movement as you sleep.
A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
A CPAP machine is the most common way to treat sleep apnea. This entails a mask that sends pressurized air to your throat to maintain breathing through the night.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Highly-Recommended
Is a more comfortable, alternative to a CPAP machine. These resemble mouthguards and help your mouth maintain the proper position for an open airway while you sleep.
ATTENTION
If you suspect you might have sleep apnea, or are looking for a natural snoring remedy, don’t wait to seek a diagnosis. Getting treatment as soon as possible can alleviate your symptoms immediately and minimize health risks. Contact our specialists today and let the Sleep Apnea Wellness center help you overcome your sleep issues once and for all.
