Better Sleep. Better Health.
1701 Boulevard Square Ste C
Waycross, GA 31501
(912) 590-6546 Office
(912) 590-6550 Fax
405 West Ward St.
Douglas, GA 31533
(912) 720-6546 Office
(912) 720-6550 Fax
760 Scranton Rd. Ste 103
Brunswick, GA 31525
(912) 263-6546 Office
(912) 263-6550 Fax
Knowing the basics is the start to successful therapy.
What is Sleep Apnea?(Information courtesy of WebMD website)
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person's breathing is interrupted during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times. This means the brain -- and the rest of the body -- may not get enough oxygen.
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There are two types of sleep apnea:
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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): The more common of the two forms of apnea, it is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep.
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Central sleep apnea: Unlike OSA, the airway is not blocked, but the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe, due to instability in the respiratory control center.
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Am I at Risk for Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, even children. Risk factors for sleep apnea include:
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Being male
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Being overweight
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Being over age 40
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Having a large neck size (17 inches or greater in men and 16 inches or greater in women)
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Having a family history of sleep apnea
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Gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD
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Nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum, allergies, or sinus problems
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What Are the Effects of Sleep Apnea?
If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in a growing number of health problems, including:
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Heart failure, irregular heart beats, and heart attacks
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Worsening of ADHD
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In addition, untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for poor performance in everyday activities, such as at work and school, motor vehicle crashes, and academic underachievement in children and adolescents.
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Visit https://blog.easybreathe.com/9-things-every-cpap-user-know/ for tips to make your therapy effective.