What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes frequent breathing interruptions through the night.
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of the disorder, affecting 90% of all those with sleep apnea. It occurs when your throat’s soft tissues relax and cover your breathing tube to block breathing for intervals of 10 seconds or longer.
Untreated sleep apnea could cause high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, mental health disorders, and potentially death. However, with early diagnosis and treatment, sleep apnea is manageable and you can live a long healthy life.
What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea symptoms can include:
- Loud snoring
- Gasping or choking during the night
- Dry mouth in the morning
- Headaches when you wake up
- Restlessness when sleeping
- Drowsiness during the day
- Poor focus during the day
- Irritable mood
If you have any of these symptoms, book an appointment at the office of Elsa L. Lerro, MD, as soon as possible. Dr. Lerro has successfully diagnosed and treated hundreds of patients with sleep apnea, helping them with both their sleep disorder and their overall health.
Who is at risk for sleep apnea?
Most sleep apnea sufferers are overweight or obese. Other risk factors include:
- Narrow airway (genetic)
- Wide neck
- Being male
- Being older
- Substance abuse (pills, alcohol)
- Smoking
- Chronic nasal congestion
Chronic conditions including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, and hormone disorders can all increase your risk for sleep apnea, as well. During your annual wellness exam, Dr. Lerro screens for sleep apnea based on your risk factors.
How is sleep apnea treated?
There are a number of approaches to sleep apnea treatment. Dr. Lerro helps you correct the underlying problems that led to your sleep apnea, which in turn improves your overall wellness.
Your treatment plan may involve weight loss, exercise, and other measures. Losing extra weight might ease your symptoms dramatically.
If you have an opioid abuse problem, Dr. Lerro can help you comfortably transition off the pills. This can greatly improve your sleep apnea symptoms. She can also help with allergies and other root causes of sleep apnea.
In addition to treating your health problems, Dr. Lerro might prescribe a device (CPAP machine) to help you breathe during the night or an oral appliance to wear at night that repositions your jaw and opens your airway.
Elsa L. Lerro, MD, offers personalized sleep apnea treatment in the office, so book your appointment online or by phone today.
