It’s safe to say that when it comes to your sleep, you’re always going to want to make sure that it’s the best it possibly can be. Sleep is so important in our everyday lives and to our overall health in general. So, you’ll always want to work towards optimal levels of sleep. Yet, that isn’t always easy to do.

You may find that there are things that affect the quality of sleep that you are able to get. This can be very frustrating as you may then wake up in the morning tired and go on to feel fatigued throughout the day! One of the conditions that can have such an affect is sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a condition that affects breathing when we sleep. Those that experience sleep apnea may temporarily stop breathing for ten to twenty seconds at a time during a range of periods throughout the night. However, you may not even be aware of it.

What causes sleep apnea?

The causes of sleep apnea can be down to a few key risk factors. It’s often the case that those that are overweight, smokers and those that have wider necks will experience is more. It’s also more common in men and women that have experienced the menopause.

Key symptoms of sleep apnea

If you are concerned about sleep apnea, it’s best to speak to your ENT doctor. However, some key symptoms for your reference can include breathing issues that your partner may notice, loud snoring, tiredness and fatigue in the day too.

Is there a risk if it’s not treated?

This is a condition that does affect the quality of your sleep. It will affect your daily life too, due to you being tired. This could leave you fatigued, lead to diabetes due to issues with regulating insulin and even hypertension.

Can sleep apnea cause other issues?

You may find that there are complications of sleep apnea too. It’s important to see an ENT doctor if you suspect you have this condition, as it can lead to issues with your cardiovascular system due to the stoppage of breathing. You could also go on to experience high blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat.

Can it be cured?

Your ENT doctor may advice that you make some lifestyle changes in order to remedy the side effects of sleep apnea. This could be to lose weight, stop smoking and limit alcohol. However, there are also treatments that could be administered, such as dental devices, surgery and the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines.

Do I have to do a sleep study?

In some cases, your ENT doctor will recommend a sleep study in order to evaluate your symptoms and diagnose sleep apnea officially. This will ensure that any other conditions can be ruled out.

Do you think you may have sleep apnea? We can help you. If you believe you are experiencing the symptoms of sleep apnea, it’s important that you speak to an experienced ENT doctor today. Reach out and make an appointment with us to discuss your concerns.