Tag: sleep apnea in glen burnie

Need a Nap? Sleep Apnea May be Your Problem | Sleep Apnea 21061

Posted on by usermiller
Woman asleep on laptop Sleep Apnea Near Me

Millions of Americans suffer from sleep apnea, causing them to have trouble sleeping, drowsiness during the day, and fatigue at night. It’s a serious condition that makes it hard to breathe at night and can block the air moving into and out of the lungs. Sleep apnea causes poor sleep as well as a number of other health issues. 

There are three types of sleep apnea that might affect your breathing during the night.

  • Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea. During this condition, the muscles in the back of the throat relax, closing the airway and physically blocking your lungs.
  • Central sleep apnea is less common and originates in the brain. During sleep, your brain fails to control your breathing muscles. This will cause shallow or slow breathing, or even breathing pauses.
  • Mixed sleep apnea occurs when a person has both obstructive and central sleep apnea. This type of sleep apnea is characterized by slow or shallow breathing as well as physical obstruction of the airway.

Identifying the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

The following symptoms will be experienced by anyone with sleep apnea, whether it is obstructive, central, or mixed.

  • Snoring loudly during the night
  • The feeling of choking during sleep
  • An abrupt pause in breathing during sleep, followed by a gasp
  • Sleeping with labored breathing
  • Having a dry mouth in the morning
  • Having morning headaches
  • Fatigue during the day
  • Thinking or concentrating is difficult
  • Stress and irritability 

You may not notice all of these symptoms because you sleep through all the sleep disturbances. Ask your partner if they have noticed any snoring, choking, or gasping noises, or if you have stopped breathing sometime during the night. 

Obstructive sleep apnea: What causes it?

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airways become blocked. While you sleep, your tongue, throat, and neck muscles relax, causing the muscles to narrow or completely block your airway. This can cause you to stop breathing for a few seconds. Following this, your brain sends a signal that briefly wakes up your body, tightening the muscles and restarting the flow of air.

You may only be awake for a few seconds, and you may not even remember being awake. This can happen more than 30 times in an hour. The disruption of your nighttime sleep will leave you feeling exhausted, and even if you don’t remember waking up, you won’t have been able to get a deep and restful sleep.

What Causes Central Sleep Apnea? 

The causes of central sleep apnea are very different from those of obstructive sleep apnea. When a person suffers from central sleep apnea, it is the brain rather than the muscles that cause breathing problems. While you sleep, your brain continues to control your breathing muscles. When you’re sleeping, this automatic process can be disrupted, leading to shallower and slower breathing. 

Central sleep apnea can also occur when the brain does not sense how much carbon dioxide is in the body. When this happens, your breathing becomes even shallower and slower than it should be, and your body won’t receive enough oxygen. 

The cause of central sleep apnea is often a related health condition such as a stroke, an illness or infection, an injury to the brain, or even a brain tumor. Certain pain medications can also cause central sleep apnea. 

Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea

 Several behaviors or conditions can increase your risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea. The following are some of the most common risk factors for sleep apnea:

  • Such physical features as a narrow airway or enlarged tonsils can obstruct the airway.
  • Nighttime nasal congestion 
  • Breathing problems, such as asthma
  • Tobacco use
  • weight gain, which results in fat deposits around the upper airway, restricting airflow.
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Laying on your back while sleeping

These are a few of the factors that can contribute to sleep apnea. Call our Sleep Apnea Glen Burnie office to schedule a consultation for more information regarding the types of sleep apnea and its causes. You can find out if you have sleep apnea by taking a sleep test and exploring your treatment options so you can get the rest you need.

Chesapeake Sleep Center
Phone: 410-729-6794
Url: https://chesapeakesleepapnea.com/
7711 Quarterfield Road, Suite C-1
Glen Burnie, MD 21061

Are You Ready for Your Sleep Apnea Test? | 21061 Sleep Apnea

Posted on by usermiller
Glen Burnie Dentist

Sleep apnea is a common condition in which you stop breathing for short periods while you sleep. Without treatment, it can lead to significant health issues over time. If you think you have sleep apnea, your doctor may perform a nighttime sleep test that monitors your breathing.

As part of the diagnosis of sleep apnea, your doctor will ask you to fill out questionnaires to assess symptoms like daytime sleepiness and potential risk factors like high blood pressure, obesity, and age. It’s also possible to monitor your sleep in the privacy of your own home. If your symptoms and risk factors strongly suggest sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend at-home sleep monitoring.

Let’s examine the different test options available to diagnose sleep apnea.

A sleep study in a laboratory

An in-lab sleep study can diagnose sleep apnea as well as other sleep disorders.

Sleep studies are typically conducted between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. This timeframe may not be ideal for people who are night owls or early risers. At-home tests may be recommended in these cases. You’ll be staying in a private room designed to make you feel comfortable, similar to a hotel room. Make sure you bring your pajamas and any other items you usually need for sleeping.

A sleep study is noninvasive; you don’t have to give a sample of blood. You will be attached to a variety of wires, however. While you sleep, the sleep technician can monitor your breathing, brain activity, and other vital signs. The more relaxed you are, the more effectively the technician can monitor your sleep.

When you fall asleep, the technician will monitor the following:

  • Your sleep cycle, as determined by brain waves and eye movements
  • heart rate and blood pressure.
  • Your breathing, which includes oxygen levels, breathing lapses, and snoring
  • The position you are in and your limb movements

Sleep studies come in two formats: full nights and split nights.

In a full-night sleep study, your sleep will be monitored throughout the entire night. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you may need to return to the lab at a later date to set up a breathing aid device.

In a split-night study, the first half of the night is used to monitor your sleep. If sleep apnea is diagnosed, the second half of the night is used to set up the treatment device.

Sleep-testing at home

Sleep testing at home is a simplified form of laboratory testing. Instead of a technician, your sleep apnea specialist will prescribe a portable breathing monitor kit that you will take home. Your regular bedtime routine can be followed the night of the test. Ensure you hook up the monitoring sensors according to the instructions provided with the kit. 

An at-home sleep apnea monitor is usually simple to install. Typically, it includes the following components:

  • A finger clip that measures oxygen levels and heart rate.
  • A nasal cannula for measuring oxygen and airflow
  • Wearable sensors that measure your chest’s rise and fall

A home test does not measure your sleep cycles, position, or limb movements at night like an in-lab test does. Your results will be sent to your doctor following the test. You will be contacted to discuss the results and determine if treatment is necessary.

Treatment Options

Treatment for sleep apnea depends on its severity. A lifestyle change may be sufficient in some cases.

Several medical treatments are available for sleep apnea, including

  • The continuous positive airway pressure machine (CPAP)
  • Appliances for the mouth
  • A nasal device
  • Supplemental oxygen
  • Surgical procedures

Sleep apnea tests, both in the laboratory and at home, measure vital functions such as breathing patterns, heart rate, and oxygen levels. Based on the results of these tests, your doctor can determine whether you suffer from sleep apnea.

Consider scheduling an appointment with our Glen Burnie Sleep Apnea specialist if you have symptoms. We are here to help you get a good night’s sleep, so give us a call today.

Chesapeake Sleep Center
Phone: 410-729-6794
Url: https://chesapeakesleepapnea.com/
7711 Quarterfield Road, Suite C-1
Glen Burnie, MD 21061