Why Do I Have Sleep Apnea?

Categories: Sleep Apnea

For some adults, poor sleep could develop due to a disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Without treatment, this could lead to high blood pressure, stress on the immune system, depression, and even a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. In today’s blog, we’re going to look at how our Spring, TX, residents develop the disorder, and how we can treat the issue!

Common Factors

A number of factors could impact your risk. First, while the issue can develop in the teen years for some patients, most sufferers tend to be males aged 55 and older. Neck circumference can impact your risk, as well as a deviated septum, sinus problems, and allergy issues. Problems with the size of your oral tissues, such as overly large tonsils, may obstruct airflow as well. The disorder occurs when our breathing is obstructed during the night, causing us to stop breathing due to the collapse of soft tissues in the throat and mouth. The brain wakes us, preventing us from reaching the REM stage, to resume breathing. For some, this happens several times a night.

Lifestyle and Habits

Your lifestyle could also impact your risk. For example, having an irregular sleep schedule, going to bed and waking up at different times, could have a harmful effect. In addition, obesity and excessive alcohol consumption also cause poor sleep. Looking at smartphone screens right before bed is also harmful, as they emit a blue light that your brain interprets as sunlight. In addition, something as simple as sleeping on your back could also increase risks of apneic episodes.

Diagnosis and Treatment

You should see us when you begin to experience common symptoms, which include snoring, waking up in the night struggling to breathe, depression and moodiness, trouble staying focused at work or school, headaches, and dry mouth. Daytime drowsiness is a very common symptom as well. In order to diagnose the issue, we will send you home with a unique device that measures your breathing exertion, blood oxygen levels, and apneic episodes in the night, all while you sleep comfortably in your own bed. We will analyze the results and if necessary, prescribe treatment.

To treat the disorder, we may recommend a custom-made oral appliance. Our personalized sleep solutions will be worn at night, fitting much like a mouthguard. The device actually helps change the position of your jaw to ensure open airways and unobstructed breathing. You then enjoy deep, productive sleep!

Do You Snore?

If you snore and have trouble sleeping, then you may need to us for OSA treatment. For more information on how we identify and treat sleep apnea, please call Houston Sleep Solutions in Spring, TX, at (281) 320-2000, or in Pearland, TX, at (832) 564-3508.