What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

If you’ve found your way to this blog, you have probably either been diagnosed with sleep apnea or are wondering if you may have it.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where you temporarily stop breathing while you sleep. You begin breathing again, but the stoppage in breath every night can cause many long-term health problems.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common sleep apnea which over 50-70 US adults suffer from. Approximately 3-7% of men and 2-5% of women have this disease.

OSA causes your throat muscles to relax when sleeping, blocking your airway and restricting airflow. This can lead to a lower level of oxygen in your blood and a buildup of carbon dioxide.

As your body struggles with breath, it will wake you up throughout the night so your airways reopen. These awake periods are so short, you may not remember them at all. But the repeated action will make it so it’s almost impossible for you to get a restful night’s sleep.

Signs of OSA

There are a few tell-tale signs you might have OSA:

  • Loud snoring
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Dry mouth or sore throat
  • The feeling that you are gasping or choking during sleep
  • Morning headache
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Mood changes

If you have any of the following, you are more likely to develop OSA:

  • Weight gain
  • Large neck diameter
  • Large tongue size
  • High blood pressure
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • Asthma
  • A family history of OSA

When is it time to see a doctor?

There are a few signs that it’s time to see a doctor to determine if you are suffering from OSA.

Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Do you snore loudly?
  • Do you wake up gasping for air?
  • Do you feel tired throughout the day?

If you answered yes, it’s time to contact your doctor and get tested for sleep apnea. Or you can also get a home sleep test through our website.

Get a home sleep test

Home sleep tests provide a convenient and cost-effective way to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea. These tests allow doctors to monitor your breathing and oxygen levels from the comfort of your own home. Home sleep tests are much less expensive and less intrusive than in-lab sleep studies.

A home sleep test or in-lab sleep study is required in order to qualify through insurance. If you think you have sleep apnea, request your home sleep test by completing our Contact Us form. One of our customer team members will get in contact with you about ordering your home sleep test.