Sleep Apnea


Sleep apnea … what is it?  Well let’s look at it. Sleep, we all know what that is. Apnea is not breathing. So that is exactly what sleep apnea is: not breathing while sleeping.

SO why it that bad.  Not breathing is not good because if we do not breath, we will eventually die right. Well the same with sleep apnea. During sleep you need oxygen to help your body repair itself from the day and get ready for a new day.  If you are not breathing when you are sleeping then your oxygen level in your blood drops and your body cannot repair and regenerate itself. Eventually this lack of oxygen during sleep leads to severe health issues such as obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, abnormal heart rhythms, heart attacks,  stroke…as well as severe issues with a bed partner due to the snoring and irregular breathing.

Sleep apnea is one of the most undiagnosed conditions in the US. It is a silent killer. Snoring and daytime sleepiness are the most common presenting warning signs that a person could have sleep apnea and needs to have a sleep study ASAP.  As well as a neck size greater than 17 inches in a man and greater than 16 inches in a woman. Yes woman and even young people can have sleep apnea.  Children can have sleep apnea and this is usually due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids.

A CPAP machine or continuous pressure airway pressure machine will save your life.

So if you have daytime sleepiness, extreme fatigue, snore, or large neck size…..get a sleep study done ASAP.

Have a great night’s sleep.