By Staff
Date: December 5, 2022
Sleep is essential to maintain a healthy body and mind. When a person wakes up several times a night and feels too exhausted the following day to function well, they may have sleep apnea. To diagnose this condition, visit a physician or clinic specializing in sleep disorders for an evaluation to receive proper treatment.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
There are two different forms of sleep apnea. The first is obstructive sleep apnea. This condition happens when the upper respiratory tract becomes plugged, decreasing or even stopping airflow. In this case, the brain signals a person to wake up so they can breathe properly.
The second type of sleep disorder, central sleep apnea, is when the brain does not send the proper signals to the lungs to breathe and is usually caused by health conditions affecting the chest muscles and the airway.
Why Would Someone Get Sleep Apnea?
Obesity is one of the causes, as it can narrow the airway. If the patient has never had their tonsils removed and they are large, they can block the airway when lying down. Changing hormone levels can cause sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is more common as people age. While lifestyle adjustments can help, these are long-term adjustments. Sleep apnea is affecting the patient now and needs to be addressed immediately.
Should Sleep Apnea Be Treated?
While sleep apnea is not a life-threatening condition, it can lead to some severe health problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Therefore, getting this condition treated quickly is essential to prevent it from damaging one’s health in the long run.
How Can a CPAP for Sleep Apnea Help?
CPAP is short for “Continuous Positive Airway Pressure.” While using the machine, the affected person wears a mask that makes breathing easier. As a result, their sleep isn’t interrupted, and they get a better night’s rest every night.
How to Be Diagnosed for Sleep Apnea & Get Help
If someone is worried about why they aren’t sleeping well at night, a sleep clinic physician can properly diagnose the condition. Usually this is done with a sleep study. Once there is a proper diagnosis, the physician can discuss a treatment plan with the patient. Most likely, this will involve lifestyle changes and using a CPAP for sleep apnea machine each night of the week. Patients new to sleep apnea are recommended to buy CPAP equipment at our shop to increase their comfort while resting.
Getting used to using a CPAP for sleep apnea machine requires a slight adjustment period, but it will be worth it. There can be no better gift than feeling alert, energized, and ready to start the day.
Parkway Sleep Health Centers
Are you constantly feeling tired after a night’s sleep? Have you been told you snore loudly or stop breathing while you sleep? Parkway Sleep Health Centers can help. Our professional staff can evaluate your sleep patterns, diagnose your condition, and prepare a treatment plan. If that plan includes a CPAP for sleep apnea machine, we can help you obtain a prescription and CPAP accessories. Contact us at 919-439-3463 and schedule an appointment today.
