Does your partner complain about your snoring? Do you snore loudly or wake up breathless in the middle of the night?
Sleep apnea is a common condition in which your breathing periodically stops while you’re sleeping; this can happen as many as 25-30 times per hour. Each time you stop breathing, the lack of oxygen alerts your brain which temporarily wakes you up to restart proper breathing. Because the time spent awake is so brief, most people don’t remember it and believe they are getting a good nights sleep when they aren’t.
The signs of sleep apnea can be any of the following:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loud snoring at night
- Snorting or choking sounds during the night (indicating a restart of breathing)
- Headaches when waking in the morning
- Falling asleep unintentionally during the day
- Extreme drowsiness throughout the day
There are three different types of sleep apnea, the most common is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA usually occurs due to a physical blockage, most likely the collapsing of the soft tissue in the back of the throat. Treatments for sleep apnea depend on the severity of each individual case and the type of apnea.
What should I do if I suspect that someone in my family suffers from sleep apnea?
Contact Lynbrook Smiles at (516) 599-6397, and Dr. Florio or Dr. Kohner will present you with treatment options.