As mentioned in my previous blog post about sleep, getting quality rest is essential for overall well-being. However, one common sleep disorder that can significantly disrupt restful sleep is sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be a serious condition that negatively impacts overall health. If left untreated, it can even shorten life expectancy. This disorder is characterized by intermittent pauses in breathing during sleep and can lead to a variety of other health complications.
Sleep apnea can affect individuals of all ages, and those who suffer from it may experience a range of common symptoms, including:
- Fatigue
- Mental health considerations: irritability and dysregulation of mood can occur
- Snoring, gasping, or choking during sleep
- Headaches
- Having to get up and use the bathroom at night (we call this nocturia)
- (there may also be a link between sleep apnea and restless legs)
Sleep apnea is often linked to many other health issues including:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Heart conditions (as noted in my atrial fibrillation lecture there can be a link between AFib and sleep apnea
- Possible dementia
Sleep apnea is diagnosed through a sleep study, where a person’s bodily functions are closely monitored during sleep, allowing any deviations from normal sleep patterns to be identified.
Treatment for sleep apnea can vary based on an individual’s specific health needs, but it may include a combination of approaches such as:
- Lifestyle modifications including participating in regular exercise and maintaining appropriate body weight.
- Medical devices that use air pressure such as a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine or a BiPAP (bilevel positive airway pressure
- Appliances for the mouth that fitted for jaw positioning
- Some surgical procedures
Appropriate diagnosis and management in someone experiencing sleep apnea is important to overall health. Nothing in this blog represents actual medical advice. If you are experiencing these symptoms, or if you are looking for a new family medicine doctor, feel free to set up an appointment with me, Dr. Maria Swetech. I care for patients at my Clinton Township office, where we can discuss tailored management strategies to help you achieve your best possible rest and overall health.
