When your snoring awakens the entire household, something is amiss. At Florida Sleep Specialists in Bradenton and Sarasota, Dr. Jeremy McConnell uncovers the reasons for snoring. More often than not, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) causes it and other worrisome symptoms. CPAP therapy is a common, and very effective, treatment.
Details on OSA
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine says that about 25 million American adults suffer from sleep apnea. This sleep disorder is characterized by:
- Excessively loud snoring
- Daytime fatigue and sleepiness
- Sudden waking and gasping for air
- Depression and anxiety
- Problems with memory and concentration
Additionally, some research shows a link between sleep apnea and diabetes, stroke, and hypertension.
How does it happen? it seems that males 40 and over develop this condition more frequently. Other precipitating factors include large neck circumference, sleeping on your back, obesity and alcohol consumption before retiring at night.
What you can do
If you have some of the above symptoms, see board-certified sleep physician Dr. Jeremy McConnell at Florida Sleep Specialists. He'll do an in-office or at-home sleep study to watch what happens as you sleep. If you do have sleep apnea, don't worry. It can be treated.
How CPAP helps sleep apnea
CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. This bedside apparatus delivers a constant stream of air through a thin tube and into a facial mask. The airflow keeps the soft tissues at the back of the throat open as the patient sleeps. Snoring stops, oxygenation improves and the physical effects of OSA decrease.
The rates of sleep apnea have sharply increased over the past 20 years. However, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy actually reverses brain damage related to OSA. Other scientific research indicates a reduction in post-op heart and lung complications, hypertension and night-time cardiac arrhythmias when people consistently use their CPAP machines.
Could you benefit from CPAP?
There's one way to find out: contact Florida Sleep Specialists in Bradenton and Sarasota. Arrange a consultation with Dr. Jeremy McConnell. He'll review your symptoms and medical history and run the required diagnostics. CPAP therapy may improve your sleep and your health, too. Call us today at (941) 792-8383.