f you snore, there is a good chance you could have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This is a common condition, in which the upper airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing pauses in breathing. These pauses in breathing not only rob the body of sleep, but oxygen as well. Since OSA occurs during sleep, most people don't even realize they stop breathing. Which is why over 85% of people with OSA go undiagnosed. When left undiagnosed, this sleeping disorder can cause an increased risk for Heart Disease, Heart Attack, Stroke, High Blood Pressure and Fatality.

There are three forms of sleep apnea: central (CSA), obstructive (OSA), and complex or mixed sleep apnea (i.e., a combination of central and obstructive) constituting 0.4%, 84% and 15% of cases respectively. In CSA, breathing is interrupted by a lack of respiratory effort; in OSA, breathing is interrupted by a physical block to airflow despite respiratory effort, and snoring is common.

Regardless of type, an individual with sleep apnea is rarely aware of having difficulty breathing, even upon awakening. Symptoms may be present for years (or even decades) without identification, during which time the sufferer may become conditioned to the daytime sleepiness and fatigue associated with significant levels of sleep disturbance.

Symptoms

The following symptoms are signs of Sleep Apnea

• Snoring
• Daytime Sleepiness
• Morning Headaches
• Poor Concentration
• Depression
• Chronic Pain
• High Blood Pressure
• Large Neck Size
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Nighttime Gasping, Choking and Coughing

If you feel that you may be experiencing any of the these symptoms, take the Epworth sleepiness test, or call our offices to schedule a consultation.