We all know that restorative sleep is important for physical and mental well-being. Yet millions of Americans suffer from sleep disorders that prevent normal, healthy sleep. Two pervasive sleep disorders are insomnia and sleep apnea. Let’s discuss their differences. What is insomnia? Insomnia is a sleep disorder where individuals may have a hard time falling…
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Untreated Sleep Apnea Might Put Your Memories at Risk
Categories: Sleep Apnea, Snoring
A considerable body of research has suggested that patients with untreated obstructive sleep (OSA) apnea are at a higher risk for a multitude of mental conditions including memory problems. Last year, researches measured a specific type of memory; autobiographical memory. Autobiographical memory is the term scientists and psychologists use to define the memory of personal…
When Does Sleep Apnea Require Surgery?
Categories: Sleep Apnea, Snoring
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that influences many people. Those most at risk are older males and obese individuals. Common symptoms of sleep apnea are snoring, fatigue as a result of poor sleep patterns, and mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. People who suspect they have a sleep disorder can order an…
Can I Self-Diagnose Sleep Apnea?
Categories: Sleep Apnea, Snoring
Sleep apnea is a sleep impairment characterized by the patient’s breathing being temporarily disrupted. This is due to an obstructed airway in the back of the throat. The episodes of breathing cessation can last more than twenty seconds. Nearly 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, and more than half of cases go undiagnosed. It seems…
Are Allergies and Sleep Apnea Related?
Categories: Sleep Apnea, Snoring
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…
Should I Consider an Alternative to CPAP?
Categories: Sleep Apnea, Snoring
OUR LOCATIONS: Spring 6315 Cypresswood DrSpring, TX 77379 The Woodlands 6922 W Rayford Rd #100Spring, TX 77389 PHONE: 281-320-2000 Losing weight (which may relieve the condition) An oral appliance that keeps the throat open during sleep (prescribed and fitted by a dentist) What are the downsides of CPAP use for sleep apnea? CPAP machines can…
Answers to Common Questions About Sleep Apnea
Categories: Sleep Apnea, Snoring
Do you have burning questions about sleep apnea? We hope they don’t keep you up at night. Let’s discuss the most frequent questions. What is sleep apnea? Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing stops and starts during the night. Sleep apnea is more common in men. Older, obese people are more at…
Lack of Sleep Slows Reaction Time
Categories: Sleep Apnea, Snoring
Life in Houston, like other places in Texas and around the country, is relentlessly fast-paced. In the course of a day, each of us makes thousands of quick decisions. Many of these are trivial: “Boxers or briefs?”, “White or wheat?”, “Paper or plastic?”, or “Call or text?”. However, some split-second judgments have significant consequences; “I…
3 Persistent Misconceptions About Sleep Apnea
Categories: Sleep Apnea, Snoring
At Houston Sleep Solutions, we work to eliminate misconceptions about sleep apnea. Let’s discuss three of them. 1. Sleep apnea is caused by being overweight. Being overweight is a considerable risk factor for developing sleep apnea, but there are many other possible causes, such as diabetes. Being overweight increases the risk of developing sleep apnea.…
Snoring And Sleep Apnea: Are They The Same Thing?
Categories: Sleep Apnea, Snoring
What is going on in the throat when a person snores? The tissue in the back of the throat collapses onto the soft palate. This collapses the airway. As the person breathes, this area opens and closes. It’s amazing how loud it can be. What is going on in the throat when a person has…
