Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder that interferes with achieving restful sleep. It often causes daytime drowsiness and increases the risk for various health problems, including heart disease. Dr. Jeremy McConnell, the board-certified sleep medicine doctor at Florida Sleep Specialists in Bradenton & Sarasota, FL, diagnoses and treats sleep apnea and will develop a treatment plan to help you achieve more restful sleep.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which there are brief pauses in breathing periodically throughout the night while sleeping. There is more than one type, but most people with the disorder have obstructive sleep apnea. Breathing is interrupted when either the tongue rolls back and temporarily blocks the airway or the muscles in the throat relax and collapse across the airway.

It is not unusual for individuals with obstructive sleep apnea or any other type to not even be aware that they might have a sleep disorder. However, a spouse or partner might notice certain things that indicate sleep apnea. Signs that a person might have sleep apnea include:

• Loud snoring
• Waking up with headaches
• Not feeling rested upon waking
• Difficulty focusing or concentrating during the day
• Feeling sleepy or fatigued throughout the day
• Brief pauses in breathing while sleeping
• Gasping for breath while sleeping
• Feeling irritable or depressed

How Sleep Apnea Affects Health

Sleep apnea can have several adverse effects. It prevents individuals from getting restful sleep, leading to daytime drowsiness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Not getting enough sleep also puts people with sleep apnea at an increased risk for workplace injuries and automobile accidents. Additionally, sleep apnea is associated with a weaker immune system, which can contribute to getting sick more often.

Sleep apnea also increases the risk of developing various health problems, including:

• Stroke
• Heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
• Metabolic syndrome
• Heart arrhythmias
• Kidney disease
• Heart failure
• Dementia
• Sexual dysfunction

Treatments for Sleep Apnea

Several effective methods are available for treating sleep apnea. The experienced provider at our offices in Bradenton & Sarasota, FL, will develop a sleep apnea treatment plan tailored to your needs to help you enjoy better sleep. Treatments for sleep apnea include:

• CPAP therapy, which is a method for delivering a constant flow of air pressure while sleeping to keep the airway open
• Oral appliances that position the jaw correctly so the airway does not become blocked
• Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, exercising regularly, and sleeping in certain positions
• Surgery to remove the tonsils, adenoids, or excess tissue blocking the airway

Sleep apnea can adversely affect your health and increase your risk of developing cardiovascular problems, so it is important to seek treatment. Call Florida Sleep Specialists in Bradenton and Sarasota, FL, at (941) 792-8383 for the Bradenton office or (941) 827-0701 for Sarasota to schedule an appointment with Dr. McConnell for the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea.