Sleep Apnea Treatment Virginia Beach, VA
Need a sleep study? Contact http://www.vasleepneurology.com/The Greek word "apnea" literally means "without breath." People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times during the night and often for a minute or longer.
An estimated 18 million Americans have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep disorder most often caused by obstruction of the airway when the tongue and soft tissues fall to the back of the throat during sleep. This results in episodes when breathing is stopped. Obstructive sleep apnea leads to excessive daytime sleepiness that can contribute to mental and physical. Perhaps more alarming is the connection between sleep disorders and physical ailments such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease including heart attack, memory problems, weight gain, impotency and headaches. As the normal air flow is blocked, the oxygen levels in the blood plummet causing the heart to beat faster and faster in a struggle to supply oxygen to the brain. This causes blood pressure and heart rates to spike until finally the person is shocked out of sleep to gasp for air causing the heart to slow and the pressures to drop. As the patient drifts back to sleep the cycle starts again and is repeated over and over throughout the night.
Sleep apnea is very common, as common as adult diabetes. Risk factors include being male, overweight, and over the age of forty, however, sleep apnea can strike anyone at any age, even children. Yet still because of the lack of awareness by the public and healthcare professionals, the vast majority remain undiagnosed and therefore untreated, despite the fact that this serious disorder can have significant consequences.
Fortunately, sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated. While several treatment options exist, studies suggest that an FDA approved oral appliance, a mouth guard-like device, may actually have a higher success rate for those who suffer from sleep apnea and have a difficult time becoming comfortable with other treatments such as pressurized air (CPAP).
When worn during sleep, the oral device helps to maintain an open airway by repositioning or stabilizing the lower jaw.
If you suspect that you or a loved one may suffer from sleep apnea in Virginia Beach or chronic snoring, please let us know so that future health problems can be prevented. Stop snoring help in Virginia Beach is a phone call away.
For more information pls visit http://www.amisleep.com
