What You need to know about Sleep Apnea
People with high blood pressure need an honest assessment of their condition. Learn about the risks, causes and treatments for this common health issue in this helpful guide. Keyword to include: High blood pressure
by HEALTHY HEART CLINICS
Sleep Apnea
What You need to know about Sleep Apnea People with high blood pressure need an honest assessment of their condition. Learn about the risks, causes
Sleep Apnea
What You need to know about Sleep Apnea People with high blood pressure need an honest assessment of their condition. Learn about the risks, causes
What is sleep apnea?
If you have ever had trouble falling asleep or staying awake, then there is a chance that sleep apnea might be affecting your quality of life. Sleepers with this disorder often experience loud gasps for air throughout their slumber which can cause them to lose consciousness at times while others continue sleeping peacefully through it all!
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There are three types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive sleep apnea: This disorder happens when your upper airway becomes blocked while you sleep causing airflow to reduce or completely stop. This disorder is most commonly diagnosed. These blockages can occur due to obesity, large tonsils, or changes in hormone levels.
- Central sleep apnea: This sleep condition is when your brain fails to send signals needed to breathe. Other conditions that affect how your brain controls your airway and chest muscles can cause central sleep apnea.
- Complex sleep apnea syndrome: This is a combination of both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.
What causes sleep apnea?
The following conditions or habits increase your risk of developing sleep apnea:
- Excessive weight
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
- Excessive overbite
- Deviated nasal septum
- Menopause
- Smoking
What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
- If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, consult your provider. Some symptoms, like abnormal breathing, gasping or choking, may be unaware to you but detectable or pointed out by a caregiver or partner.
Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea:
- Reduced focus
- Loud snoring
- Gasping or choking sounds
- Dry mouth upon awakening
- Restless sleep with periods of wakefulness during the night
- Increased need to urinate throughout the night
- Irritability
- Frustration
- Daytime sleepiness
- Headaches in the morning that may continue throughout the day
Symptoms of central sleep apnea:
- Abnormal breathing patterns (breathing slows down, speeds up, and pauses)
- Daytime sleepiness
- Reduced focus
- Sudden shortness of breath or chest pains at night
- Headaches in the morning
- Waking up throughout the night
Symptoms of complex sleep apnea are a combination of both types of disorders.
- Abnormal breathing patterns (breathing slows down, speeds up, and pauses)
- Daytime sleepiness
- Reduced focus
- Sudden shortness of breath or chest pains at night
- Headaches in the morning
- Waking up throughout the night
- Reduced focus
- Loud snoring
- Gasping or choking sounds
- Dry mouth upon awakening
- Restless sleep with periods of wakefulness during the night
- Increased need to urinate throughout the night
- Irritability
- Frustration
- Daytime sleepiness
- Headaches in the morning that may continue throughout the day
How can I improve my quality of life?
- Consult your provider and/or sleep specialist to track your ongoing symptoms throughout your care management plan.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
- Avoid high-risk activities.
- Care for your treatment devices: If you are prescribed a treatment device (a PAP device or a mouthpiece), be sure to clean and maintain your treatment devices to avoid unwanted side effects.
- Always inform new providers about sleep apnea.
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