Sleep well, live well
AM I AT RISK FOR OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA?
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Table of Contents
Untreated obstructive sleep apnea increases your risk of having many other health problems. Certain physical features can put you at risk for sleep apnea. Common symptoms of sleep apnea are warning signs that you should discuss with your doctor. Effectively treating sleep apnea can improve your health.
HEALTH PROBLEMS
Health problems that can be related to sleep apnea include:
- High blood pressure
- Coronary artery disease
- Congestive heart failure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Erectile dysfunction
- Depression
- Stroke
- Irregular heartbeat (atrial fbrillation or A-fb)
- Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- Heartburn (gastroesophageal reflux disease – GERD)
- Blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis)
- Blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolus)
- High blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension)
- Attention defcit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Jaw pain (temporomandibular joint pain or TMJ disorders)
- Clenching or grinding the teeth (bruxism)
PHYSICAL FEATURES
Physical features that increase your risk for sleep apnea include:
- Excess body weight
- Body mass index (BMI) of 25+ (overweight)
- BMI of 30+ (obese)
- Large neck size
- More than 17 inches for men
- More than 16 inches for women
- Recessed jaw
- Large tongue or tonsils
WARNING SIGNS
The following symptoms are common warning signs for sleep apnea:
- Loud or frequent snoring
- Silent pauses in breathing
- Choking or gasping sounds
- Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Insomnia
- Non-refreshing sleep
- Morning headaches
- Memory loss
- Irritability
WARNING SIGNS IN CHILDREN
- Snoring
- Silent pauses in breathing
- Mouth breathing
- Nightmares or night terrors
- Restless sleep
- Bedwetting
- Grinding the teeth (bruxism)
- Weight gain
Symptoms that may be mistaken as ADHD
- Hyperactivity
- Short attention span
- Difficulty concentrating
- Behavioral problems
- Poor school performance
Testing At Home
Tips
Talk to a doctor about your risk for sleep apnea. Your doctor may schedule you for a sleep study at an accredited sleep center. A home sleep apnea test is another option for some people who have a high risk of sleep apnea. Collecting data while you sleep will help enable your doctor to detect sleep apnea.
Effective treatments for sleep apnea are available. These include CPAP therapy and oral appliance therapy. Your doctor will help you select the best treatment option for you. Effectively treating sleep apnea can improve your sleep and quality of life. Treatment for sleep apnea also can help improve your overall health.
QUESTIONS ABOUT A SLEEP ISSUE? LET’S TALK.
Imtiaz Ahmad, MD, MPH, FCCP
Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad is a highly qualified physician, Board Certified in Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine. He has received advanced training from some of the most prestigious institutions, including Harvard University, Cornell University, State University of New York at Brooklyn, and the University of Mississippi. SOMNAS is a medical facility that is committed to improving and maintaining the health of patients with sleep disorders. The expert team at SOMNAS is known for their compassionate and high-quality care. They offer unparalleled treatment and care to patients on the Gulf Coast of Florida, ensuring a better and healthier life for them.
Job Title: Board Certified in Pulmonary Medicine
