ENT DOCTOR BLOG
Posts for: December, 2014
Sleep apnea is a type of sleep disorder that causes your airway to become obstructed while you sleep. The most common symptom associated with sleep apnea is snoring - and typically very loud snoring that may cause you to wake yourself up at night.
Sleep apnea is a concerning condition, not only for your partner who is trying to get a good night’s rest, but also because it causes you to actually stop breathing while you are asleep. This means your sleep is less restful and also harder on your body because for a few brief moments, you aren’t getting enough oxygen to your system. Sleep apnea is associated with increased risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and difficulty concentration. Our Washington ENT office treats many patients with sleep apnea who did not realize their symptoms and the condition itself are highly treatable.
Symptoms associated with sleep apnea include:
- dry mouth upon waking
- feeling constantly sleepy throughout the day - you may find you fall asleep without meaning to when you are sitting quietly
- having a larger-than-average neck -- typically larger than 17 inches in men and 16 inches in women
- having difficulty concentrating with no other clear reason why
- snoring or gasping during sleep
- sore throat upon waking
- waking up feeling unrefreshed, even after you have slept all night
- waking up with a headache
Remember that not every person who has sleep apnea snores and not every person who snores has sleep apnea. This is simply a hallmark symptom of the disorder.
If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, call our Washington ENT office. We can conduct a thorough assessment of your overall health and symptoms. If your symptoms do appear to be characteristic of sleep apnea, Dr. Bond may recommend a sleep study, which monitors your vital signs and sleep patterns to determine your sleep apnea’s severity. Dr. Bond can recommend many treatments that help you (finally) get a good night’s rest.
For more information on sleep apnea treatments at our Washington ENT office, please call (202) 726-7770 to make an appointment.