Does your snoring wake your entire household? Are you irritable during the day and can't function the way you want to? You may be 
suffering from a common sleep disorder called Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Characterized by super-loud snoring and episodes of breathing cessation (apnea), OSA should be treated. At Florida Sleep Specialists in Bradenton and Sarasota, FL, board-certified sleep physician, Dr. Jeremy McConnell, diagnoses and treats a wide range of sleep disorders, including OSA. He can help you feel and function better, and stop that snoring!
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
The Cleveland Clinic says that OSA is one of the most common sleep disorders in the US, and it's very serious. Caused by the relaxation of soft tissues at the back of the throat and the consequent obstruction of the airway, this sleep disorder deprives the brain of oxygen.
Affecting millions of adult Americans--males over 40 mostly--OSA is characterized by:
- Extremely loud and persistent snoring
- Multiple episodes of startling awake and gasping for air
- Daytime fatigue and sleepiness
- Anxiety and depression
- Headaches upon awakening in the morning
- Problems concentrating
Unfortunately, OSA contributes to problems in systemic health as well. Obesity, type-2 diabetes, heart attack, stroke and hypertension are commonly associated with sleep apnea. If you are over 40, menopausal, obese, have a large neck circumference, abuse alcohol, or smoke, your chances of developing sleep apnea increase, says the National Sleep Foundation.
What you should do
See Dr. Jeremy McConnell at Florida Sleep Specialists in Bradenton and Sarasota, FL. Tell him about your snoring and other symptoms you or your loved ones may have noticed. He likely will recommend an in-house or at-home sleep study to determine what happens as you sleep at night.
This easy test helps Dr. McConnell accurately diagnose and treat all kinds of sleep disorders, including OSA. Your care plan will be fully customized to your needs.
Treating snoring
The two most common treatments for OSA are CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and oral appliance therapy. CPAP machines deliver oxygen via a facial mask worn throughout the night or whenever you take a nap. The oxygen keeps the airway open so snoring and apnea lessen.
Oral appliance therapy involves a customized acrylic device which places the lower jaw in a more forward position. It keeps the back of the throat open.
In addition, Dr. McConnell frequently advises these simple strategies to open your airway:
- Sleep on your side
- Do not eat or drink (especially alcohol or caffeine) a few hours before going to bed
- Lose weight
- Stop smoking
- Exercise and stay active
Don't wait
Snoring and sleep apnea don't go away by themselves. You'll benefit from the reliable and compassionate management of your sleep disorder which Dr. McConnell and his team provide. For more information and to arrange a personal consultation, please call our office at (941) 792-8383.