South Texas Sinus Institute – Providing Treatment for Your Sleep Disorders
Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders. The person suffering from sleep apnea faces difficulty breathing while they sleep. People with sleep apnea may snore loudly or make choking sounds as they sleep. There are a number of signs for this sleeping disorder. Patients of sleep apnea may suffer from breathing pauses that can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. These pauses may occur nearly 30 times or more in 1 hour. People suffering from sleep apnea can also feel very sleepy during the day since their nighttime sleep is disturbed due to their sleep apnea.
As sleep apnea is a long term disorder that can disturb your sleep and cause serious health problems, it is best to discover proper treatment for this medical condition. However, sleep apnea can rarely be identified by the affected person themselves. In most cases, family members are able to detect the varying symptoms as the individual sleeps, without being aware of their problem.
Diagnosis of Sleep Apnea
As mentioned above, sleep apnea is very difficult to detect as there are no tests that can determine its presence. The disorder is detected when specialists, such as those at South Texas Sinus Institute, observe the sleeping person for signs of sleep apnea.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
There are two types of sleep apnea. The first is a mild condition known as obstructive sleep apnea, where the airway becomes blocked while the person is sleeping. As a result, the breathing becomes shallow or pauses for a duration of time. This form of sleep apnea is very common in people who are overweight, and they may snore loudly as a result of this problem.
Central Sleep Apnea
The second type of sleep apnea is central sleep apnea, which is a rare and severe issue. This may occur when the brain does not send proper signals to the respiratory system, and breathing stops for a period of time. It is usually detected in people who are currently on prescription medications or sleeping draughts.
Treatment
Sleep apnea can be treated by certain changes in lifestyles that may allow the person to sleep and breathe easier. It can also be reduced with the help of mouthpieces or breathing devices. If the airway is blocked, South Texas Sinus Institute may perform surgery to allow for easier breathing. Untreated sleep apnea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, weight gain, heart attack and even diabetes. It can also cause an irregularity in heart beats and lead to driving accidents if people are exhausted and tired during the day. Thus, treating this disorder is very important in order to stay healthy and reduce the risks of further medical problems and life threatening conditions.
For more information on sleep apnea and treating this disorder, contact South Texas Sinus Institute today. We are here to help.