Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea, or Sleeping Disordered Breathing (SDB), occurs in an estimated 18 million Americans, yet often goes undetected. If you wake often from sleep and experience drowsiness during the day, you may want to contact your doctor about possible sleep apnea.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep Apnea involves sudden arousal from sleep due to trouble breathing. It is considered a health problem due to the large number of people who lose a significant amount of sleep due to this problem.
Causes
Troubled breathing causes this form of repeated wakening during the night. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the temporary obstruction of the upper airway. In adults this is most often caused by excessive body weight. In children it is caused by enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
Symptoms
Patients with sleep apnea are not always aware that they wake repeatedly throughout the night. It may result in daytime drowsiness or frequent snoring, which may be noted by a spouse who is repeatedly awakened.
Treatment
In adults, Sleep Apnea is most common in people who are mildly overweight to obese, so diet and exercise may help. In severe cases, your doctor may advise you to have your condition monitored at a sleep lab. See your doctor to discuss possible treatment options.
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What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep Apnea involves sudden arousal from sleep due to trouble breathing. It is considered a health problem due to the large number of people who lose a significant amount of sleep due to this problem.
Causes
Troubled breathing causes this form of repeated wakening during the night. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the temporary obstruction of the upper airway. In adults this is most often caused by excessive body weight. In children it is caused by enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
Symptoms
Patients with sleep apnea are not always aware that they wake repeatedly throughout the night. It may result in daytime drowsiness or frequent snoring, which may be noted by a spouse who is repeatedly awakened.
Treatment
In adults, Sleep Apnea is most common in people who are mildly overweight to obese, so diet and exercise may help. In severe cases, your doctor may advise you to have your condition monitored at a sleep lab. See your doctor to discuss possible treatment options.
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