Sleep apnea is a relatively common disorder that often has hidden symptoms since the patients are in varying stages of sleep. One of the most common reasons patients finally get treated for sleep apnea is that their partners are annoyed by their loud and frequent snoring. Dr. Jeremy McConnell at Florida Sleep Specialists in Bradenton and Sarasota, FL, offers CPAP therapy, a solution for sleep apnea.

Managing Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea affects as many as 25 million adult Americans, according to the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project. Unfortunately, many patients spend years struggling with sleep apnea simply because they aren’t fully aware of their symptoms, which may include:

• Disruptive, continuous snoring.
• Daytime fatigue.
• Memory and concentration challenges.
• Mood shifts and depression.
• Heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions.

How CPAP Therapy Can Help

A CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine is a device that your Bradenton and Sarasota, FL, doctor can prescribe for chronic sleep apnea. It is connected to a mask that you must wear over your nose when sleeping. The CPAP machine pumps air through the nose to help the throat stay open. Increasing comfortable breathing allows patients to sleep throughout the night and enjoy deeper sleep patterns.

Tips for Using Your CPAP Machine

Some patients are averse to wearing CPAP masks due to problems with comfort, but with consistency, many will get used to the machine and reap the benefits. Tips for CPAP patients include the following:

• Attempt to wear the mask while awake (without turning on the machine) to get used to the feeling.
• Ensure that the mask is the correct size for your face or nose, and consider wearing a full-face mask.
• Ask your doctor about pads that you can wear to reduce skin irritation.

Get More Information About CPAP Therapy

You must get the proper sleep each night for optimal health and wellness. Lack of sufficient rest due to sleep apnea could make everything from work to having the energy to exercise more difficult. Learn more about CPAP therapy at Florida Sleep Specialists in Bradenton and Sarasota, FL. Call 941-792-8383 or 941-827-0701 today to schedule a visit with Dr. Jeremy McConnell.