Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that can induce a host of negative health problems, including the possibility of death. Caused by nighttime airway blockage, obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA., affects approximately 22 million people in the United States alone, with even more remaining undiagnosed. Fortunately, here at Winchester Neurological Consultants’ Sleep Disorders Clinic in Winchester, VA, our team of neurologists can both perform an apnea diagnosis for you, as well as craft a treatment plan based on the particulars of your condition. Read on to learn more.
What exactly is sleep apnea?
The “apneas” in sleep apnea refer to periodic breathing stoppages that occur during a night’s rest. Generally caused by either excess tissue blocking the airway or a collapse of the airway muscles, sleep apnea can cause chronic fatigue, morning headaches, and general forgetfulness. Furthermore, in the most extreme cases, the apneas can last for such a long time that the lungs fail to fill up with oxygen, leading to death by suffocation.
“Do I have sleep apnea?”
Sleep apnea’s symptoms are often first noticeable to your bed partner, although some of the signs may become apparent to you, as well. Some of these symptoms include:
• Excessive snoring
• Suddenly waking throughout the night
• Gasping for breath periodically during sleep
• Insomnia
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
If you are concerned that you may have developed this dangerous condition, make sure to call our Winchester office right away. Our experienced team of neurologists can perform a diagnostic screening test for you in order to discover both whether you have the condition, and to what degree of severity it is at. From there, we can determine the best course of treatment, whether through the use of a CPAP machine, oral appliance therapy, or a separate airway pressure device.
Contact us today
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can have wide-ranging health effects if left untreated. If you are at all concerned that you may have developed sleep apnea, dial (540) 667-1828 today to schedule an appointment at Winchester Neurological Consultants’ office in Winchester, VA.