If you wake up feeling groggy, irritable, and restless, it’s possible that your body was at war with itself while you were trying to sleep. This war is called sleep apnea – a condition where your breathing stops and starts again, sometimes up to 20 seconds at a time. Discover the different types of sleep apnea and how we can help:

Central Sleep Apnea

When you sleep, your brain tells your throat muscles to regulate your breathing. If these signals are not being sent properly or at all, your breathing becomes irregular. The result is central sleep apnea. Research has shown that conditions such as heart failure, Parkinson’s Disease, and strokes have led to the development of central sleep apnea.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

With roughly 3 million cases arising each year, obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea that afflicts Americans. With this condition, your throat muscles do not function properly, preventing your body from taking deep, much-needed breaths. Factors that may heighten your chances of developing obstructive sleep apnea include obesity, frequent alcohol use, smoking, age, and enlarged tonsils.

Complex sleep apnea, commonly referred to mixed sleep apnea, is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea. This condition is often treated with the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.

Symptoms

If you’re unsure if you have sleep apnea, the following symptoms are tell-tale signs that it’s a possibility. But, to be absolutely sure, schedule an appointment with one of our ENT specialists for an accurate diagnosis. We will create a treatment plan for you to help you get the rest you need! Several sleep apnea symptoms include:

• Frequent headaches
• Grogginess during the day
• High blood pressure
• Inability to sleep t night
• Irritability
• Loud snoring
• Waking up abruptly
• Waking up with a sore throat

Do you have questions? Call us today: 912-351-3030.