What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a malady where you have frequent, recurring pauses in breathing while sleeping. These lapses can last for up to 60 seconds. They are caused by soft tissue in the back of the throat that relaxes and cuts off the airway. When the brain is not getting enough oxygen it hinders important physical processes. Snoring loudly and not feeling fully rested after a full night’s sleep can indicate sleep apnea.
Having trouble sleeping isn’t always a result of sleep apnea. There are medical issues that can cause trouble sleeping. Let’s talk about allergies, sometimes called hay fever.
Are allergies and sleep apnea related?
Sleep apnea and allergies can both make it more difficult to breathe. Difficulty breathing, in turn, can hinder sleep. In the case of allergies, the airways are blocked by nasal congestion. With sleep apnea, the airway is blocked by tissue in the throat. If a person with sleep apnea also has allergies, the allergies can exacerbate the sleep dilemmas caused by the apnea.
Difficulty breathing caused by allergies can likely be treated at home with an over-the-counter anti-allergy or anti-congestion medicine. It is important to remember that allergies are generally temporary, so any experience with blocked airways from congestion will not bring about permanent difficulties breathing. Allergies don’t cause sleep apnea.
Houston Sleep Solutions in Friendswood treats sleep apnea
Approximately 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, however, more than half of these cases are left undiagnosed. If you are looking for a consultation or treatment regarding snoring or sleep apnea, call Doctor Montz at Houston Sleep Solutions in Friendswood. At Houston Sleep Solutions, we specialize in dental sleep medicine which focuses on oral appliance treatment for sleep apnea and snoring.
Contact Houston Sleep Solutions:
281-485-4829
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1769 S. Friendswood Dr. Ste 107
Friendswood, Texas
77546
