Your sleep specialist in Bradenton, and Sarasota, FL, can help if you have sleep apnea.
If you’ve been told you snore, don’t ignore it. Frequent heavy snoring can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that could potentially shorten your life.
Dr. Jeremy McConnell at Florida Sleep Specialists offers testing and treatment of sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea. He has two convenient office locations in Bradenton, and Sarasota, FL, to help you.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition caused by the soft tissue at the back of your throat relaxing and blocking your airway while you sleep. If your airway is partially or totally blocked because of sleep apnea, that means your vital organs might not be receiving the oxygen they need.
Insufficient oxygen caused by sleep apnea can lead to conditions like these:
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
So, how do you know if you have obstructive sleep apnea? In addition to frequent loud snoring, sleep apnea signs and symptoms include:
- Frequent headaches in the morning
- Suddenly waking up gasping or choking for air
- Frequent sore throats when you wake up
- Drowsiness or grogginess during the day
- Problems with concentration and focus
If you are experiencing any of the signs or symptoms listed above, you can benefit from a sleep study. The study helps your sleep specialist determine if you have sleep apnea or other sleep disorders.
If you do have sleep apnea, your sleep specialist may recommend one of these popular options to treat your obstructive sleep apnea:
A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine, also known as a CPAP. This machine feeds oxygen through tubing which is connected to a facepiece. You wear the CPAP while you sleep, and it provides continuous, steady oxygen flow to you throughout the night.
An Oral Mandibular Advancement Appliance, which is a small dental appliance you wear while you sleep. The appliance keeps your lower jaw forward, so your airway stays open while you are sleeping.
To find out more about the signs, symptoms, and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, Dr. McConnell at Florida Sleep Specialists. You can reach us by calling 941-792-8383 or 941-827-0701 today!