Sleep is essential to our health, well-being and safety. Over one third of our entire life is spent sleeping. It is the quality of sleep, which ultimately affects the quality of our life.

Up to 95% of people with sleep disorders remain undiagnosed and untreated.The National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research estimates that 43 million Americans are chronically ill with sleep disorders and that an additional 20-30 million experience intermittent sleep related problems.

If you are sleeping 7-8 hours/night and are still tired during the day you might have a sleep disorder that you may be completely unaware of. The most common sleep disorder is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep-disordered breathing. It occurs when the muscles of the upper airway partially or completely collapse during sleep, resulting in closing of the airway.

Signs include:

• Snoring
• Snorting
• Gasping pauses in breathing
• Choking

People with OSA may stop breathing 20 to 60 or more times a nightPeople with OSA may stop breathing 20 to 60 or more times a night, causing sleep deprivation and daytime sleepiness. This repeated struggle to breathe throughout the night causes blood oxygen levels to drop. This repeated stress on the heart, brain and other organs leads to serious negative health consequences.

If you or someone you love has one or more of the following symptoms, a sleep disorder may be the cause.

Symptoms:

• Snore frequently
• High blood pressure
• Overweight
• Morning headaches
• Wake up in the morning feeling non-refreshed
• Difficulty concentrating & completing tasks at work
• Feel sleepy during the day
• Feel sleepy or doze off while watching TV, reading, driving or engaged in daily activities
• Awake at night gasping for air or choking
• Kicking or twitching movements while asleep
• Pauses in breathing while you sleep
• Fallen asleep while driving
• Diabetes
• Sexual Dysfunction

These are all symptoms of a sleep disorder. If you have any of them, make an appointment to discuss this with your primary care physician or other medical provider. After ruling out other possible medical problems, your doctor may suggest you have an evaluation at the sleep center.

There are treatment options available for those diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Successful treatment can prevent or reverse potential life-threatening complications and improve the quality of your life.

Benefits:

• Improved health
• Improved memory
• Improved feeling of well-being
• Improved work performance
• Decreased risks for heart problems, high blood pressure and stroke
• Stabilized blood glucose levels

Dangers of delaying treatment: 

• Stroke
• Depression
• Impotence
• Memory loss
• Serious heart conditions
• Increased motor vehicle or work accidents
• Unstable blood glucose levels
• High blood pressure